KEY POINTS:
The Chiefs pulled away in the second half to beat the Hurricanes 31-17 in their pre-season Super 14 rugby match at Wanganui on Thursday.
Winger Lelia Masaga darted over for two tries in four minutes midway through the third quarter to break the trial game open after the scores were locked 5-5 at halftime.
A scrappy affair gradully came to life in fine conditions as both coaches used a swag of players off their respective benches.
Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam scored from a maul to open the scoring in the 15th minute but Hurricanes winger Hosea Gear responded 2min before halftime.
Flanker Marty Holah restored the Chiefs lead but again the scores were level after Tamati Ellison scored for the Hurricanes.
It was Masaga's double that extended the lead to 24-12 before members of both teams' wider squad completed the scoring.
Halfback Brett Goodin scored for the Hurricanes followed by a try to Chiefs lock Vern Kamo.
Neither side reported any injuries of concern from the game.
Next week the Chiefs round out their preparations next week with a game against the Blues in Rotorua while the Hurricanes play the Queensland Reds on the Gold Coast on Friday.
Earlier today the Highlanders held an internal trial in Dunedin.
Result:
Chiefs 31 (Lelia Masaga 2, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Vern Kamo tries; Stephen Donald 3 con) Hurricanes 17 (Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison, Brett Goodin tries; Jimmy Gopperth con). Halftime: 5-5.
- NZPA
