Chiefs’ All Blacks contingent lead the way as they cruise to victory over Moana Pasifika
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The Chiefs continued with their impressive form in Super Rugby Pacific when they clinched a 43-7 triumph against Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Friday.
The Hamilton-based outfit were without several first choice players, including star playmaker Damian McKenzie, but they still proved too strong for their hosts and outscored them by seven tries to one.
Although the Chiefs‘ entire team deserve credit, their All Blacks contingent led the way with the likes of captain Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Tupou Vaa’i and Samisoni Taukei’aho all catching the eye with fine performances.
Jacobson, Lienert-Brown and Tupaea were amongst the try-scorers and the Chiefs’ other five-pointers were scored by Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Simon Parker and Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Jacomb also succeeded with four conversions to finish with a 13-point haul.
Meanwhile, Moana’s only points came via a consolation try from Anzelo Tuitavuki which was converted by D’Angelo Leuila.
Click here for scorers
Tupaea got the ball rolling in the 23rd minute when he stepped past several defenders in Moana’s 22 before crossing for the opening try.
Things then went pear-shaped for Moana when they were reduced to 13 men after Irie Papuni and Aisea Halo were both yellow carded in the latter stages of the half and Jacomb soon crossed for the Chiefs’ second try which meant they held a 12-0 lead at the interval.
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The visitors took control of proceedings after half-time and soon after the restart Nanai-Seturo showed his class with a brilliant piece of individualism before crossing for his try.
10 minutes later, Lienert-Brown crossed for his five-pointer before Parker dotted down shortly afterwards which meant the Chiefs held a comfortable 31-0 lead by the hour mark.
Moana needed a response and that came in the 71st minute when Tuitavuki dotted down but it was too little too late as the Chiefs finished stronger and were rewarded with further tries from Jacobson and Coombes-Fabling to seal an emphatic win.
The result means the Chiefs move up to third spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings although they could drop down to fourth again if the Brumbies win their match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
The teams
Moana: 15 Danny Toala, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Neria Fomai, 10 D’Angelo Leuila, 9 Aisea Halo, 8 Lotu Inisi, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Semisi Paea, 3 Suetena Asomua, 2 Sama Malolo (c), 1 Saketi Latu
Replacements: 16 Tomasi Maka, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Irie Papuni, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 Kyren Taumoefolau
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Daniel Rona, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Hamilton Burr, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Rameka Poihipi, 23 Gideon Wrampling
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), George Myers (Australia)