The Chiefs have played the Sunwolves just twice in Super rugby and the Chiefs have won both matches to date.
The Chiefs won the first match between the sides in 2017 27-20 before thumping the Sunwolves 61-10 in 2018.
- This will be just the third Super Rugby meeting between the Chiefs and the Sunwolves, with the Hamilton based side coming out on top in both previous encounters.
- The only previous Super Rugby meeting between the Chiefs and Sunwolves in New Zealand saw the Japanese outfit outscore the Chiefs 17-7 in the second half; though, they still lost 27-20.
- The Chiefs have lost their last three Super Rugby fixtures, they’ve not lost more consecutive games since a run of five defeats spanning across the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
- The Chiefs have won 11 of their last 12 Super Rugby games at home against teams visiting from outside New Zealand, losing only to the Jaguares in that span.
- Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves) has gained 10.7m per carry this Super Rugby campaign, the most of any player to have made more than 10 carries for the season.
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off.
In the meantime why not have a look at the match preview.
Welcome to a lovely clear and sunny day in Hamilton.
The Chiefs kick off and the match is underway. Damien McKenzie puts the ball into touch from the kick off so we go back to half way and a scrum.
1.00: The Sunwolves win the scrum and immediately go on the attack. They attack down the wing and then move back to the middle.
1.43:The Sunwolves make a couple of line breaks and then get the ball wide and Shuhei Matsuhashi scores in the corner!! TRY!
3.00: Hayden Parker slots the conversion and the Sunwolves lead.
4.00: The Sunwolves are all over the Chiefs. They attack and get the ball to the 22m line where the Chiefs have to scramble and concede a penalty. There is a break in play as a Sunwolves player is injured and needs to be stretchered off. The injured player is Shane Gates.
5.00: The match resumes and Parker lines up the posts for the penalty. He nails it.
8.00: The Sunwolves put the ball in for a line out inside the Chiefs half but the Chiefs win the ball and then a penalty. McKenzie kicks for touch and the line out. The Chiefs are struggling to get some momentum.
9.00: The Chiefs win the line out but then lose the ball and the Sunwolves claim the ball and attack with it.
13.00: The Chiefs get the ball from a Sunwolves grubber and they pass it back to McKenzie but the ball goes over his head and the Sunwolves reclaim the ball just outside the Chiefs 22. The Sunwolves almost get through but they pass the ball to the Chiefs who kick it upfield.
17.00: The Chiefs win a line out in the Sunwolves half. They work the ball to the middle but the passing is average and the ball goes to ground.
19.00: The Sunwolves kick deep and the Chiefs get the ball and run it from their 22. They get all the way to the Sunwolves 22 but they lose the ball forward.
22.00: Penalty to the Chiefs. McKenzie lines up the posts, takes the kick and nails it. The Chiefs are on the board.
25.00: Penalty to the Sunwolves. Parker takes the kick and nails it.
29.00: The Chiefs win a penalty from the scrum in their 22. McKenzie clears the ball into touch. The Chiefs are really struggling to stop the Sunwolves taking control of the game.
30.00: The Chiefs win the line out and change side but then knock on.
31.00: The Sunwolves win the scrum and immediately attack the Chiefs in their 22. The Sunwolves get to the line and drive over next to the posts. It looks at first like they are held up but no. The TMO will be asked to check if the try was not scored. The referee believes he has seen the try being scored. “Any reason I cannot award the try.” No reason not to award the try so it is a TRY! Uwe Helu.
32.00: Parker add the conversion.
35.00: Penalty to the Sunwolves. Parker slots it. That is his 13th consecutive kick this season without a miss.
36.00: The Sunwolves attack the Chiefs in the corner but the Chiefs just manager to shove them into touch. The Chiefs are hanging on while the Sunwolves are doing almost everything right.
38.00: The Sunwolves get the ball in attacking space but they lose the ball. The Chiefs win the scrum and run the ball to the Sunwolves 5m line where they lose the ball.
39.00: The Sunwolves defend on their line and the siren sounds for half time.
40.00: It is half time.
The half time score was Chiefs 3 Sunwolves 23
The Sunwolves kick off for the second half and the match is underway.
43.00: The Chiefs enjoy a strong start to the second half and are looking more like the Chiefs of normal.
45.00: McKenzie chips the ball ahead and the chase is on. Alex Nankivell gets to the ball and scores next to the posts. TRY!
46.00: McKenzie slots the conversion to reduce the lead to 13.
51.00: The Sunwolves win a scrum and run the ball to the Chiefs 22m line. They go through the phases but then concede a penalty for clearing out. Shaun Stevenson kicks the ball well upfield and chase it. The Sunwolves get to the ball first though.
54.00: The Sunwolves have to kick the ball back to the Chiefs, The ball is then kicked back to the corner by the Chiefs and there is a race to the ball by Shaun Parker and Etene Nanai-Seturo. As they get to the ball it goes over the dead ball line.
54.00: WOW. The Sunwolves kick the ball to Shaun Stevenson who knocks it on. The Sunwolves get to the ball and chip it ahead. Gerhard van den Heever goes for the ball a couple of metres out in front of the line … but knocks it on! Right in front of the line. Double knock on.
56.00; The Chiefs win the scrum and clear the ball. The Sunwolves get the ball set up their attack with a couple of phases and then chip it. Gerhard van den Heever goes high for the ball, grabs it in the air and races for the line and scores. TRY!
58.00: Parker adds the conversion.
61.00: The Chiefs set up a line out on the Sunwolves 5m line. They go through the phases drawing the visitors in and then go wide.
62.00; The Chiefs change sides but the Sunwolves defensive line is strong. Penalty advantage to the Chiefs.
63.00: The Chiefs take the scrum. They win the ball and Brad Weber offloads to Etene Nanai-Seturo who powers through a double tackle and scores. TRY!
64.00: Etene Nanai-Seturo is replaced as McKenzie misses the conversion.
68.00: The Chiefs are upping their game and the pressure. They get the ball into the Sunwolves 22.
69.00: Scrum to the Chiefs, they win the scrum and work the ball to the middle of the field.
71.00: The Sunwolves defend attack after attack by the Chiefs. The reward for their effort comes with a penalty. They kick for touch.
76.00: The Sunwolves are holding on to the ball winding the clock down and keeping it tight.
77.00: The Chiefs get some attacking ball and set up a line out near the Sunwolves 22. The line out throw is messy and the ball goes to the Sunwolves. They chip the ball upfield where the Chiefs lose the ball forward in the tackle.
79.00: The Chiefs ball retention is poor and Van den Heever gets a chance but is stopped and concedes a penalty. The Chiefs run the ball.
80.00:The siren sounds and the Chiefs go through a couple of phases and then lose the ball. The Sunwolves want more so they attack.
81.00: Eventually Parker decides that is enough and kicks the ball into touch.
The Sunwolves have won.
To refresh this page click HERE. Live In-Play Betting.
The full time score Chiefs 15 (3) Sunwolves 30 (23)
Scorers
Chiefs
Tries -A.Nankivell, E.Nanai-Seturo
Pen -D.McKenzie
Con – D.McKenzie
Drop –
Cards –
Sunwolves
Tries – S.Matsuhashi, U.Helu, G.van den Heever
Pen – S.Parker 3
Con – H.Parker 3
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2: Dan Waenga
TMO :Shane McDermott
Teams
Chiefs
15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Orbyn Leger, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Michael Allardice, 4 Brodie Retallick (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements : 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Ataata Moeakiola
Sunwolves
15 Jason Emery, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Shane Gates, 12 Michael Little, 11 Jamie Henry, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Uwe Helu, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements : 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Tom Rowe, 20 James Moore, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Phil Burleigh, 23 Rikiya Matsuda
