The Chiefs scored six tries in their 38-8 win against the Lions in Hamilton, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.
The Lions were competitive for long periods of this match, but conceded two tries just before the break and one straight afterwards that ended their hopes of beating the Chiefs in New Zealand for the first time.
The visitors started well, with Derick Minnie turning over Chiefs ball when they were on the attack, and Lionel Mapoe making a strong break soon afterwards. The midfielder kicked ahead, the Chiefs carried it over their tryline and the Lions won a penalty at the 5m scrum, which Elton Jantjies sent between the uprights.
A dazed Chrysander Botha left the field in the 12th minute, which saw Marnitz Boshoff come off the bench to play fullback. Jantjies, though, retained the goal-kicking duties, and his second penalty attempt went wide of the left post.
The Chiefs then hit the front when a patient 11-phase attack ended with a try to Gareth Anscombe, who kicked the conversion but then missed a penalty.
On the half-hour mark, the hosts had a Nathan Harris try disallowed by the TMO, who harshly ruled that there had been obstruction in the build-up (Warren Whiteley was never going to make the tackle). Tanerau Latimer then went over in the right corner, two minutes before the break, and again the referee went upstairs to check for obstruction, as well as a knock-on. The TMO said he was 'comfortable' with both and the try was awarded.
The Chiefs struck another big blow, in the last play of the half, when the ball popped out of a ruck and Charlie Ngatai dived on it to extend the lead to 16.
Pauliasi Manu went over for the bonus-point try two minutes into the second half, after another patient build-up, before Courtnall Skosan dived over in the left corner to help the Lions stop the rot.
It took the Chiefs until the 71st minute to add to their tally when Bundee Aki chased down an excellent grubber from Andrew Horrell. Tim Nanai-Williams then scored his side's sixth, which Horrell converted.
Chiefs – Tries: Gareth Anscombe, Tanerau Latimer, Charlie Ngatai, Pauliasi Manu, Bundee Aki, Tim Nanai-Williams. Conversions: Anscombe (3), Andrew Horrell.
Lions – Try: Courtnall Skosan. Penalty: Elton Jantjies.
Chiefs – 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Tom Marshall, 11 James Lowe, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Messam (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Matt Symons, 20 Michael Fitzgerald, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Bundee Aki, 23 Andrew Horrell.
Lions – 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni , 20 Willie Britz, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 JW Jonker.
LEATHERMAN SA PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Warren Whiteley made 15 tackles and gained 40m with ball in hand, more than any other Lions player.
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Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
