Damian McKenzie masterclass sees Chiefs outlast Drua in Hamilton
The Chiefs and Fijian Drua entered their round four contest coming off two very different results, with the former having lost their first game of the season the week prior to the Reds and the Drua having just won their first game of the season against the Crusaders.
It was high-octane action in Hamilton and the Drua brought their trademark exciting play. While the visitors produced some exhilarating attacking efforts, it was the Chiefs who steadied the ship and grew into the game to run home with the win.
Early in the game, both teams struggled to retain possession with the breakdown offering a fierce contest.
When a contestable kick bounced off the shoulder of Damian McKenzie and fell at the feet of Iosefo Masi, the midfielder pinned his ears back and galloped away downfield in what has become a familiar sight for Super Rugby fans since the Olympic gold medallists’ debut last year.
Masi’s speed secured the first points of the game, with a try under the posts allowing Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to easily convert.
Two minutes later, the Chiefs had a lineout just inside the Drua 22 and worked a move perfectly as Daniel Rona, playing on the right wing, burst through a gap and delivered the ball to Kaylum Boshier in support who went over untouched.
Damian McKenzie’s equally simple conversion saw the scores tied at the 10-minute mark.
Then, finally able to find some consistent phase play, the Chiefs benefitted by finding their rhythm and some shape on attack. It was just five minutes after their first try that Rameka Poihipi found a gaping hole in the Drua defence and had Cortez Ratima running inside him who finished a second Chiefs try.
The Drua then kicked into gear and put some phases together, quickly piling pressure on the Chiefs who gave away two penalties in quick succession, the latter of which game within their own 22 after some strong runs by the Drua.
Attacking just metres from the Chiefs line, a crisp Armstrong-Ravula pass saw Masi’s brilliant line rewarded and the centre swept in once more under the posts, levelling the scores again.
Both sides’ set piece functioned nearly flawlessly in the opening quarter. Then, with 25 minutes on the clock, a Chiefs scrum earned a penalty and the team opted for a penalty kick. McKenzie delivered his side the three-point lead.
The game was being played by both teams in strong attacking position, with exits and timely turnovers providing constant action.
The Chiefs extended their lead to 10 in the 33rd minute with a set tap play perfectly executed by Damian McKenzie, who swung back around the blindside with some company and delivered the wide cut-out pass to Daniel Rona who touched down in the corner.
The Drua looked to have the final say of the half after a Chiefs infringement handed Armstrong-Ravula a shot at three points, which the young flyhalf converted. Samipeni Finau had a chance to score soon after and dived for the corner but a TMO check revealed the ball was placed down on the sideline. The score remained 24-17 at the half.
The Chiefs were looking clinical and dangerous to begin the second 40, making metres off a lineout strike and then running in a try in the corner through Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Luke Jacobson looked to further his team’s momentum when he took out three Drua players at the ruck, opening it up for his team to steal the ball and attack once more. That opportunity went begging, and so too did the Drua’s ensuing play after going deep into phase play.
Another extended defensive stand from the Chiefs eventually came to an end when, backed onto their own try line, Samisoni Taukei’aho produced the breakdown steal.
The Chiefs had earned their next attacking opportunity and were playing with confidence. Damian McKenzie was orchestrating the attack with ambition and poise, and while there were a few missed opportunities, the pressure the Chiefs were applying earned penalties and afforded them multiple attempts. Kaylum Boshier eventually claimed his second try as a result.
The Drua weren’t done yet though and always have the power to break the gain line. On the Chiefs’ line, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta was picked out by Peni Matawalu and gleefully dived over the line.
Shaun Stevenson responded with some individual magic on a chip and chase which sat up for the fullback in a way that it only would for someone in his vein of form. His try saw the lead extended to 46-24.
The excitement kept coming for the Hamilton crowd and Damian McKenzie was pushed out as he dived for the try line in the corner. Selestino Ravutaumada sliced the Chiefs’ defence open soon after. Ollie Norris was yellow carded after repeated Chiefs infringements and the Drua capitalised on the one-man advantage to score in the corner after the final hooter. Final score: 46-29.
Comments on RugbyPass
One significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
53 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
53 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
53 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
53 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
53 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
53 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
53 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
53 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
53 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
53 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
53 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to comments