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Chiefs crush Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby response
By AAP
All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa has bagged a hat-trick of tries as the Chiefs rebounded from last week’s loss to the Crusaders to reassert their Super Rugby Pacific title credentials at Waikato Stadium.
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Five-eighth Damian McKenzie returned after a week off under All Blacks player management protocols to orchestrate the Chiefs’ high-octane attack and convert nine of the 10 tries they scored in a comprehensive 68-12 bonus-point thumping of Moana Pasifika.
If there were any questions about the Chiefs’ championship credentials, they were answered in Hamilton on Saturday.
Their attack clicked into gear in the 11th minute when openside flanker Simon Parker went over, before quick tries through Narawa and fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo opened the game up.
Daniel Rona crossed to make it 28-0 just before halftime, with second-half tries going to Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Peniasi Malimali, debutant Sione Ahio, Cortez Ratima and two more for Narawa.
The visitors did test the Chiefs’ defence at times, scoring late through Melani Matavao and Miracle Fai’ilagi, but for the most part the hosts were strong on defence.
The fourth-placed Chiefs (23 points) next take on the co-competition leaders and unbeaten Hurricanes (27) in Wellington next week, while ninth-placed Moana Pasifika (nine) host the sixth-placed Queensland Reds (16).
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different team when your playmaker is on song…last week vs Crusaders was pretty ordinary, and gifting 7 points didn't help either…the ‘canes at home a tough game to win, but doable with Roigard absent…or not…the tackle on DMac was fair…Inisi’s shoulder contacted chest high and arms were wrapping his hips, no head contact and DMac got up and played on… good to see no “holywood acting” by our professional players compared to some others…a future AB.. tactic maybe…or not…
That was just a good island hit, all shoulder, nothing more to the table.
Knew he was going to draw and pass so lines him up for a free hit to make himself look good.
Is it any wonder why parents aren't encouraging there children to play rugby. Watching Chiefs play last night, why was there no repercussions for the tackle on Damian MacKenzie, token arm use, mainly shoulder to the head, Did the referee think that was acceptable, Is rugby learning anything regarding head injuries. And obviously the tackler thought it was a huge joke judging by the look on his face. Wake up Rugby before it's to late.
his shoulder never touched dmacks head at all
it was a legal tackle it wasn’t high and it litterallybwas wrap arms