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Two major records set as Chiefs pummel winless Waratahs to finish season on a high
By AAP
The Chiefs have completed the NSW Waratahs' season from hell with a 35-7 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman beating in Sydney.
Winger Sean Wainui bagged a record five tries as the Chiefs consigned the Waratahs to an unprecedented winless campaign with a record-extending 13th straight defeat on Saturday night.
A dislocated shoulder to classy centre Izaia Perese only compounded the Tahs' woes and provided a selection headache for Wallabies coach Dave Rennie in the process.
Far and away the Waratahs' best performer this year, Perese would almost certainly have been named in Rennie's squad on Sunday for the looming three-test series with France.
But the powerhouse midfielder came off a sorry second-best after a late first-half tackle on Chiefs opposite number Alex Nankivell.
"It (the tackle) didn't have to be made," former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said during commentary on Stan.
"We saw it previously in some of the clips - Izzy Perese going in making tackles he doesn't need to.
"And if you see it, he's looking for the big contact - no grip, no arm around - so it's really unfortunate because's been very talismanic.
"He's made some great breaks tonight even for the Tahs. Very disappointing."
While tossing up the likes of Hunter Paisami or moving Matt Toomua into the centres, Australia's two-time World Cup-winner Tim Horan urged Rennie to blood 22-year-old Brumbies Len Ikitau instead.
"I actually think you need to start looking to the future," Horan said.
"You know what Matt Toomua can do. I think you put the young kids in and give them a crack early on."
As they have been in many other games this year, the Waratahs were gritty against a Chiefs outfit also out of finals contention.
The youthful Tahs showed a glimpse of their promise when fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase soared high to reel in a well-placed cross-field bomb from flyhalf Will Harrison just before halftime.
Their lone try reduced the deficit to 14-7.
But two more tries after the break to Wainui, followed by the Chiefs' fifth try through replacement Viliami Taulani, sealed the Waratahs' fate.
Back-rower Lachie Swinton faces a possible suspension and omission from the French series after being red-carded late on for a careless tackle on Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier.
- Darren Walton
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Latest Comments
What’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
Go to commentsNot if you look at where the increases are happening for NZR. Apparently the biggest increase in participation was in the junior ranks and has been attributed to the extra cash that tier has received from the private equity deal NZR signed. Clubs are reducing fees dramatically and thats bringing more into the clubs. Counties club had a 200% increase in enrollments for U7s as they made it free.
Yes NRL is always hanging around schoolboy rugby tho. I see the NRL as more of a threat at SR level where the fringe players are signing for either NRL or Japan etc.
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