Damian McKenzie’s 15-point haul powers Chiefs into Super Rugby Pacific final
Chiefs-fly-half-Damian-McKenzie-kicks-for-goal
Chiefs fly-half Damian McKenzie was crucial in his team’s 19-30 win over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final in Wellington.
McKenzie scored 15 points on the night through three conversions and three penalties. The Chiefs scored three tries as Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima and Daniel Rona all crossed the whitewash.
The Hurricanes also scored three tries in the clash through Peter Lakai, Brett Cameron and Billy Proctor with Cameron kicking two conversions.
Click here to see teams and scorers
It was the perfect start for the Chiefs who scored just three minutes in through Finau after some Emoni Narawa brilliance played the flank in. McKenzie added the extras from quite a wide angle.
They would be on the board again just three minutes later as the ball bounced fortuitously for the Chiefs and Ratima was on hand to capitalise on the opportunity. Fly-half McKenzie would not only convert but nail a penalty in the 16th minute as the Chiefs shot out to a strong lead.
The Hurricanes worked hard to get back into the clash and on the 20-minute mark got their reward through the in-form Peter Lakai as Cameron made no mistake from the tee this time.
That was it on the scoring front for the first period as a McKenzie penalty got the second period going early on. The hosts did find a response through a converted Cameron try in the 55th minute but the Chiefs immediately responded with Rona’s try just after the hour mark. McKenzie kicked the conversion and another penalty as the visitors took further control.
Proctor scored the last points of the game with a stunning finish in the corner but Cameron failed to convert and the Hurricanes failed to kick on, dropping out of the tournament.
The Chiefs will travel to Eden Park to face the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
Teams
Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Justin Sangster, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: 16 James O’Reailly, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 James Tucker, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22 Richard Judd, 23 Bailyn Sullivan
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Daniel Rona, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Liam Coombes-Fabling
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan