KEY POINTS:
The Super 14 rugby season ended on a flat note for the beleaguered Chiefs, who were overwhelmed 47-25 by the Sharks in Durban this morning (NZ time).
Riddled by injury and with less to play for than their South African opponents, the Chiefs were outscored seven tries to three to pick up a third consecutive loss.
All the defeats were on the road - including to the Western Force and Lions - after having left Hamilton with the playoffs firmly in their sights three weeks ago.
The Chiefs finish the season in seventh place, seven points outside the playoffs, while the triumphant Sharks climb into third place and face a semifinal against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney next weekend.
Needing to win with a bonus point or by at least 18 points to reach the semis, the Sharks always looked likely after racing to a 14-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes.
The lead was reduced to 21-18 soon after halftime but their fourth try for a bonus point arrived in the 51st minute through lock Steven Sykes and a rapid-fire double to No 8 Ryan Kankowski sealed the result.
Fatigue told on a Chiefs side who fielded several players with niggles and were missing a handful of key players with injury and suspension.
That included the late scratching of No 8 Sione Lauaki, who failed to recover from a hamstring strain.
The New Zealanders failed to match the fired-up Sharks up front although it took 20 minutes for the dam to finally burst when first five-eighth Ruan Pienaar strolled through a gaping hole.
A neat Pienaar kick set up centre Adrian Jacobs soon afterwards to seemingly send the hosts on their way.
The Chiefs enjoyed easily their best period through the middle part of the game, scoring a try through flanker Faifili Levave and penalty to first five-eighth Stephen Donald although Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis crossed to keep his side 21-8 ahead at the break.
Chiefs centre and captain Mils Muliaina scored from delightful angled run and a second Donald penalty narrowed the deficit to three with half an hour remaining.
However, Kankowski's double - the second from a sweeping counter-attack - and their final try to winger Odwa Ndungane nearly raised a half-century for the Sharks.
Chiefs winger Viliame Waqaseduadua had the final say with a consolation try after the final hooter had sounded.
SHARKS 47 CHIEFS 25
Result of the Super 14 rugby match at ABSA Stadium in Durban this morning (NZ time):
Sharks 47 (Ryan Kankowski 2, Ruan Pienaar, Adrian Jacobs, Bismarck du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Odwa Ndungane tries; Rory Kockott 6 con)
Chiefs 25 (Faifili Levave, Mils Muliaina, Viliame Waqaseduadua tries; Stephen Donald 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 21-8.
- REUTERS
