Hurricanes come from behind to beat Chiefs

The Chiefs scored four early tries through Willison, Taumalolo,Nanai-Williams and captain Liam Messam and had sealed the bonus point by the 28th minute.

 

Callum Bruce who was playing at 10 after Stephen Donald was injured converted two of the tries and added a penalty.

"To get that bonus point with that last try might be the most important try of the lot," Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore said.

 

"We're just very happy to get away with the win and to keep our chances alive."

 

The Hurricanes' playoff chances seemed hopeless when center Jackson Willison, prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo, fullback Tim Nanai-Williams and flanker Liam Messam scored tries to spur the Chiefs to a healthy halftime lead.

 

The Hurricanes took an early lead with a fifth-minute penalty to flyhalf Aaron Cruden but the Chiefs went ahead a minute later with Willison's try, converted by Callum Bruce.

 

All Blacks fullback Cory Jane put the Hurricanes ahead again with a try in the 14th but the Chiefs bounced back again with a try to Taumalolo, who drove through several tackles at the head of a determined forward rush.

 

Nanai-Williams and captain Messam added tries four minutes apart to extend the Chiefs' advantage to 24-8.

 

Nonu's first try cut the lead and his second, in the 74th, put the Hurricanes ahead decisively, with five minutes remaining.

 

Tialata forced his way over in stoppage time to secure a four-try bonus point.

 

"We're a little bit disappointed at the end of the day to lose to the Hurricanes, because we felt we had the match in hand," Chiefs captain Liam Messam said.

 

Final Score Hurricanes 33 Chiefs 27

Scorers

Hurricanes
Tries - C Jane, M Nonu 2, N Tialata
Pen - A Cruden 2, P Weepu
Con - A Cruden, P Weepu
Drop -
Cards -

Chiefs
Tries -  J. Willison, S. Taumalolo, T Nanai-Williams , L Messam
Pen - C Bruce
Con - C Bruce 2
Drop -
Cards - Luke Braid (60) Yellow

Match Officials
Referee: Keith Brown (NZ)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (NZ), Garratt Williamson (NZ)
TMO: Mike Fraser (NZ)

Teams

Hurricanes - 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.

Reserves: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Jason Kawau.

Chiefs - 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche/Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Trent Renata, 22 Phil Burleigh.