Chiefs and Bulls boost Super Rugby play-off hopes
The Chiefs kept up with the pace in a highly competitive New Zealand Conference as the Bulls also boosted their Super Rugby play-off hopes on Saturday.
It looks increasingly likely that New Zealand will provide four quarter-finalists in this year's tournament and the Chiefs, although second last in the pool, are well placed to be among them.
They went to the Stormers and won 15-9 as Anton Lienert-Brown and a penalty try ended the South African side's unbeaten home run this season.
The hosts failed to cross, despite leading until the 65th minute as Damian Willemse twice kicked penalties.
And the Stormers' defeat allowed the Bulls to put pressure on their South African rivals with a 39-33 success over the Sharks.
Five different scorers touched down for the hosts as they held on despite a late Sharks push through brothers Jean-Luc and Robert du Preez, although the losing side's efforts were not in vain as they too leapfrogged the Stormers with a bonus point.
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Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
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