Chiefs secure Super Rugby title with win in rainy weather over Hurricanes

Waikato Chiefs won 23-12 over Wellington Hurricanes to cement their top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings.

Tupou Vaa’i of the All Blacks scored two out of the Chiefs’ trio of tries, despite the poor weather in Hamilton. This was to make up for the Chiefs’ 25-22 defeat to the Queensland Reds last week — their first loss of the season.

Vaa’i scored his second try in the rain as the rain intensified. The home team looked comfortable with a score of 10-0.

In the last 10 minutes, two tries by the Hurricanes’ fullback Josh Moorby (and No.8 Brayden IOSE) closed the gap down to eight points.

Damian McKenzie, the fly-half for his team, scored two penalties in order to secure their 11th victory from 12 matches and to boost his season total to a record-breaking 137 points.

McKenzie’s general play kicking was also important as a Chiefs team featuring 10 All Blacks started the proceedings against weakened Hurricanes.

Sam Cane, Chiefs co captain, praised the team for sticking to a simple game plan despite the wet conditions.

Cane, All Blacks captain, told Sky Sport that the weather has changed and the way we play rugby must change as well.

It was always going to come down to the front runners once the weather got so bad. At this stage of the season, it won’t be individual brilliance which wins games. It’ll take a collective effort.”

The All Blacks rest protocols required the visitors to leave out a few players, including Ardie Savea as captain and Jordie Barrett.

The Hurricanes are still in fifth place after losing three out of their five last games. They will have to work hard to reach a home quarter-final for the top four, as their remaining two regular-season fixtures are both against all-New Zealand teams: the Auckland Blues, and Canterbury Crusaders.

The Chiefs will play two matches in Australia before the playoffs. This includes a crucial match next week against the ACT Brumbies, their title rivals.

dgi/sco