A last minute try by Paul Tito try sealed a 39-32 win for the Hurricanes over the Chiefs in Hamilton. It was the Chiefs 13 to 7 handling errors cost them the match and add this to the turnover count where the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 26 to 9 it was a surprisingly close scoreline.
At half time the Chiefs should have been way ahead but they fumbled some great scoring opportunities which would have given them a comfortable lead.
Mathewson got the Hurricanes off the to great start by scoring the first try of the match in the third minute. Nonu put the Hurricanes into the lead just minutes before the half time whistle.
In the second half the Hurricanes found their rhythm and started to look a lot more like the Hurricanes we know. In the try count the Hurricanes also got the better by scoring 5 Tries to 4.
Jonno Gibbes left the field in the first half with a severely damaged looking ankle. The rest of his season must now surely be in doubt.
Full time score Chiefs 32 – Hurricanes 39.
More to follow.
Chiefs –
Tries : Leonard, Messam, Kinikinilau, Willis
Conversions:Stephen Donald (3)
Penalties: Donald (2)
Hurricanes –
Tries : Mathewson,Serge Lilo, Ma`a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Paul Tito
Conversions: Gopperth (4)
Penalties:Gopperth (2)
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Niva Ta’auso, 12 Tane Tu’ipulotu, 11 Roy Kinikinilau, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Steven Bates, 5 Jono Gibbes (c), 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Nathan White, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Craig West
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Simms Davison, 18 Kristian Ormsby, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Murray Williams, 22 Dwayne Sweeney
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Tana Umaga (c), 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Ma’a Nonu, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Luke Andrews, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Paul Tito, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Tone Kopelani, 1 John Schwalger/Tony Penn
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Tony Penn/Anthony Perenise, 18 Bradley Mika, 19 Hayden Hopgood, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 David Smith, 22 Shannon Paku
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Paul Honiss (New Zealand), Gary Wise (New Zealand)
Television match official: Chris Rooney (New Zealand)
