Chiefs 13
The Blues staged another second half comeback to beat a stubborn Chiefs side 16-13 in a Super 15 rugby match at a rain-soaked Waikato Stadium tonight.
The Blues rallied from 10-6 down at the break to score the only try of the second half to Jared Payne while Luke McAlister added 11 points with his boot is difficult conditions in Hamilton.
The Chiefs scored two tries in the first half and may have sniffed an upset, but McAlister and Payne combined to send the Northland centre over in what proved the decisive moment of the match.
MATCH STATS
SUPER 15 STANDINGS
The Chiefs made a dream start with Liam Messam capitalising on a handling error by Rene Ranger to open the scoring after only 38 seconds.
After Ranger failed to field a clearing kick halfback Brendon Leonard, playing his 50th Super rugby match, hacked through twice before Messam carried on the soccer skills to cross wide out.
The wet weather tested the handling skills of the players and it came as no surprise that a botched attempt by McAlister to field a kick led to the Chiefs' second try.
Hawke's Bay prop Sona Taumalolo eventually drove over from two metres out after a period of concerted pressure on the Blues' line.
Both the Chiefs tries were unconverted by first five-eighth Mike Delany but McAlister had more success, landing his second penalty attempt to get the visitors on the board.
The Blues laid siege to the Chiefs line in the closing minutes of the half, repeatedly setting scrums after referee Ian Smith penalised the Chiefs time and again. He refused to go to his pocket for a yellow card despite a warning and the Chiefs managed to escape with their line intact and their whoops of delight when they gained possession showed what it meant to them.
A McAlister penalty just before the break narrowed the gap to 10-6 but the Blues would have been cursing their failure to make the most of a big territorial advantage.
After the break it was the Blues' turn to play kick and chase after a strong burst from fullback Isaia Toeava. McAlister stabbed a kick through and confusion in the Chiefs defence allowed Payne to toe ahead again and dot down deep in the in-goal area.
McAlister's conversion gave them a three-point lead, but the match was all-square after Delany succeeded with penalty attempt with 18 minutes left on the clock.
The Blues' lead was restored after McAlister bombed a kick over from 45m and despite desperate efforts from the Chiefs they could only leave the drenched field with a bonus point.
Blues 16 (Jared Payne try Luke McAlister con 3 pens) bt Chiefs 13 (Liam Messam, Arizona Taumalolo tries Michael Delany pen) at Waikato Stadium. Referee: Ian Smith.
- NZPA
