Twitter in awe of 'astonishing' Chiefs defence

The Chiefs held on for a gruelling 19-13 win against the Reds in Hamilton on Friday, thanks to one of the best defensive displays all season.

Colin Cooper’s side spent the best part of the last 10 minutes camped on their own line, and conceded a string of penalties, but refused to budge. The Reds threw everything at them, particularly with their penalty advantages, but the Chiefs’ forwards and backs held strong.

The Chiefs had to make a staggering 240 tackles in total, bringing the game to an end by holding the Reds up over the line. The final passage of play summed up how good New Zealand side were.

This was the reaction on Twitter after their performance:

https://twitter.com/publicaddress/status/1131854249359314944?s=20
https://twitter.com/Cornf1akesCrib/status/1131854704651096064?s=20
https://twitter.com/justin__kenny/status/1131856021821935616?s=20
https://twitter.com/Daryne_Nicole/status/1131854661852442626?s=20
https://twitter.com/JimmyHapstar/status/1131854230740856835?s=20
https://twitter.com/Dumisani_m/status/1131852271254474754?s=20
https://twitter.com/macgibbons/status/1131853631345455105?s=20
https://twitter.com/chrisdeekay/status/1131854291323506688?s=20

Manic defense by Chiefs. Young Reds team still growing.

— Rugbycology (@rugbycology) May 24, 2019

This was a game perhaps where the Reds missed their leader and talisman Samu Kerevi, who was rested for this match. The team really lacked any penetration in the midfield, and that is something that the Wallabies inside centre can provide. He has been in fantastic form in recent weeks, and his absence highlighted what a key player he is for the Reds.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who have had a shaky season, will rue not showing such a belligerent defensive performance like this earlier in the season. The two-time champions have been on the end of some tight losses, as well as some heavy ones, this season, which would perhaps not have panned out that way if they showed the grit they did against the Queensland side.

The Chiefs’ performance may have had something to do with the return of Sam Cane, who started his first match since breaking his neck. While he came off on 50 minutes, he put in a very physical performance for someone that has been out with such a serious injury, and may have lifted his team.

Whatever the cause was of this inspired performance, this was a brilliant defensive display.