Two major records set as Chiefs pummel winless Waratahs to finish season on a high
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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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
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