The Chiefs are three from three after beating the Hurricanes 26-18 in a torrential downpour in Waikato at FMG Stadium.
Julian Savea’s last-gasp try was not enough as the home team won their third New Zealand derby of the season, downing the defending champions two tries apiece.
Tries from Brodie Retallick and Toni Pulu gave the Chiefs an 11 point halftime lead in a first-half which saw two yellow cards for the visitors and the tries coming soon after.
Damian McKenzie was perfect with the boot, kicking 16 points as the Chiefs held out to go top of their conference.
More to follow…
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Final score Chiefs 26 (17) Hurricanes 18 (6)
Scorers
Chiefs
Tries – Retallick, Pulu
Pen – McKenzie (4)
Con – McKenzie (2)
Drop –
Cards – Leitch (Yellow, 79th minute)
Hurricanes
Tries – Perenara, Savea
Pen – Barrett (2)
Con – Barrett
Drop –
Cards – Savea (Yellow, 19th minute), Fatialofa(Yellow, 27th minute)
Match Officials
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2: James Doleman
TMO: Glenn Newman
Teams
Chiefs
1. Kane Hames (11), 2. Hika Elliot (106), 3. Nepo Laulala (2), 4. Dominic Bird (13), 5. Brodie Retallick (73), 6. Mitchell Brown (4), 7. Sam Cane (co-captain) (82), 8. Michael Leitch (24), 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (69), 10. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) (75), 11. James Lowe (39), 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (26), 13. Tim Nanai-Williams (79), 14. Toni Pulu (15), 15. Damian McKenzie (35)
Replacements:16. Sebastian Siataga**, 17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (13), 18. Atu Moli (13), 19. Taleni Seu (20), 20. Lachlan Boshier (10), 21. Jonathan Taumateine (2), 22. Stephen Donald (91), 23. Shaun Stevenson (9)
() = Chiefs caps in brackets
**denotes Super Rugby debut
Hurricanes
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14. Vince Aso, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Reed Prinsep, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Brad Shields, 5. Michael Fatialofa, 4. Mark Abbott, 3. Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (captain), 1. Loni Uhila.
Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Ben May, 19. James Blackwell, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Chris Smylie, 22. Otere Black, 23. Jordie Barrett.
