Quirky table means Bulls and Chiefs still eyeing semifinals

Chiefs 26
Bulls 26

It says plenty about the vagaries of the Super 14 ladder that a draw can lift the Chiefs two spots a week after a win dropped them one place.

"So don't ask me about the table; I've got no idea," quipped Chiefs coach Ian Foster yesterday.

The upshot of a game either side could have won - indeed both had chances to bag maximum points - is that the Bulls and Chiefs remain in semifinal contention, although both are at the outside edge of the frame.

The draw continued a pretty impressive road trip for the South Africans, who are by some distance the best of the Republic's five franchises this season. Still, at 26-11 up early in the second half, the Bulls will consider this a glorious chance wasted.

They took away three points, having got their fourth bonus-point try three minutes after the interval when the outstanding No 8 Pedrie Wannenberg stepped past some weak tackling.

That left the Chiefs a significant recovery operation, which they accomplished 11 minutes from the end when Steven Bates crashed across after strong leadup work by Sitiveni Sivivatu and replacement flanker Liam Messam.

Having got the momentum rolling their way, the Chiefs had marginally the better of the final minutes but could not close the deal, the game ending when Loki Crichton's ambitious drop goal from deep on the left flew wide.

At the final whistle, the Chiefs players slumped, their body language a giveaway that they felt their playoff chances had sailed away on Crichton's kick.

"I can't find any positives. It's pretty ball-breaking for us, pretty devastating," lock Bernie Upton said.

Such is the topsy-turvy nature of this debut 14-team competition, though, all is not lost.

As Foster put it, "fourth is still pretty tight. It's still going to be pretty interesting. Two points is better than none, so we live to fight again."

The Bulls had plenty of zip about them, mostly orchestrated by outstanding halfback Fourie du Preez. Second five-eighths Wynand Olivier was impressive and captain Victor Matfield was the dominant figure at lineout time, although the Chiefs gave as good as they got at the set pieces.

The hosts paid for being sleepy twice in the first half when the Bulls profited from two quick tapped penalties close to the Chiefs' line, du Preez taking one himself and darting across, and first five-eighths, Morne Steyn, getting the other.

Earlier the Chiefs had let the Bulls set the pace, when Bates' ambitious cut-out pass as spectators were still taking their seats enabled Springbok flier Bryan Habana to do his party piece, a 75m interception and runaway.

Mils Muliaina got the Chiefs' first-half try after good work by Marty Holah.

Sam Tuitupou had a forceful night with the ball in hand, and his charge- down of a Steyn clearing kick got the Chiefs' comeback started. Crucially, Stephen Donald's conversion from a handy position hit an upright.

Tuitupou was at it again shortly after, but his midfield partner, Niva Ta'auso, could not hold the ball with the line begging. Bates' try set up a dramatic finale.

In Foster's eyes, the formula is simple from here on in.

"We've got to nail the little bits of our game to get our performance level up. We're pretty happy with most things, but we just aren't doing enough to cross the line in the big games."

Still, they continue to gather points.

* Sione Lauaki's shoulder injury might not be as bad as first feared. X-rays yesterday confirmed the initial prognosis that there was no dislocation.

How it stands

* The Crusaders, on 35 points, and the Waratahs, on 33, are all but sure of semifinal spots.

* The Brumbies and Hurricanes, on 28, are in the box seats for the other two places, with the Bulls (22 points), Highlanders (22) and Chiefs (18) the strongest challengers. The Highlanders have played one extra game.

* Bulls (maximum 47 pts): v Reds (a), Cats (h), Sharks (h), Crusaders (h), Stormers (a)

* Highlanders (42 pts): v Hurricanes (h), bye, Waratahs (h), Brumbies (a), Reds (a)

* Chiefs (43 pts): v Stormers (h), Cheetahs (h), Hurricanes (a), Waratahs (h), Blues (a)