Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Match Highlights - Sunwovles create history in NZ as Chiefs devoured

By Online Editors

The Sunwolves recorded a first-ever away win in the competition when they upset the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Japanese team outscored their hosts by three tries to two in what is a historic occasion for the Sunwolves.

It left the 2012-2013 champion Chiefs embarrassed as they remain winless after three rounds.

A year ago, the Chiefs thrashed the Sunwolves 61-10, as the Japanese side went through their first three seasons of Super Rugby with a woeful record and their future in the competition in doubt.

But they showed signs of progress when they went within a point of upsetting the Waratahs last weekend, and against the Chiefs they stepped up another gear.

In the first half the Sunwolves had 60 percent of the possession, but the error-prone Chiefs conceded nine turnovers – despite having very little ball to work with.

After the break the Chiefs turned on the charm a bit more, but continued to cough up the ball and gift the Sunwolves opportunities.

They led 23-3 at half-time and held on as the Chiefs tried to rally in the second half.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sunwolves flyhalf Hayden Parker, who converted all three tries and added three penalties, described the victory as “awesome” and a confidence booster for the side.

“It was really nice to score some good tries in the first half. The second half was pretty ugly and it felt like the game went on forever but the boys hung in and I’m proud of the way we stuck it out to the end.”

Chiefs scrumhalf Brad Weber said his under-pressure side could not expect to win with the number of errors they committed.

“You’re not going to win the game if you keep coughing up the ball. I think we coughed it up about 10 or 11 times,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But you have to take your hat off to the Sunwolves. Their speed of ball and the way they were able to break tackles was pretty special and we have to take a hard look at ourselves because it was pretty embarrassing.”

Flank Shuhei Matsuhashi and lock Uwe Helu scored tries as the Sunwolves dominated the first half.

The Chiefs’ sole points in the opening stanza came from a Damian McKenzie penalty. He also set up their first try at the start of the second half with a chip kick for Alex Nankivell to run on to.

But despite dominating possession and territory they could not sustain the pressure and weak defence saw van den Heever score a third try for the Sunwolves before Etene Nanai-Seturo added a late consolation second try for the Chiefs.

The scorers:

For the Chiefs:
Tries: Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo
Con: McKenzie
Pen: McKenzie

For the Sunwolves:
Tries: Matsuhashi, Helu, Van der Heever
Cons: Parker 3
Pens: Parker 3

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 1 | Will Skelton

ABBIE WARD: A BUMP IN THE ROAD

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

New Zealand crowned BACK-TO-BACK champions | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Women's Highlights

Japan Rugby League One | Bravelupus v Steelers | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
Ed the Duck 4 hours ago
How Leinster neutralised 'long-in-the-tooth' La Rochelle

Hey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂

5 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE France and All Blacks in tug of war over latest star from New Caledonia France and All Blacks in tug of war over latest star from New Caledonia
Search