ID :
60820
Sat, 05/16/2009 - 04:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/60820
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Chiefs down Brumbies to clinch home semi
Chiefs down Brumbies to clinch home semi
The Chiefs clinched their first-ever home semi-final and probably ended the
Brumbies' season in the process with a dour 10-7 Super 14 victory in rainy Hamilton
on Friday night.
A 67th-minute penalty goal from five-eighth Stephen Donald broke a 7-7 deadlock and
elevated the Chiefs above the Bulls to the top of the ladder after the opening match
of the decisive final round of the competition.
The Brumbies collected a vital bonus point for the narrow defeat to climb into
fourth spot, but still needed a succession of results to go their way to sneak into
the playoffs for the first time since winning the second of their Super rugby titles
in 2004.
Apart from requiring the injury-raved Blues to score an upset win over the Crusaders
- in addition to the defending champions not picking up any bonus points in Auckland
- the Brumbies were also relying on the lowly Lions beating the NSW Waratahs in
Johannesburg early Saturday morning (AEST) and the front-running Bulls accounting
for the Sharks in Pretoria.
The Crusaders and Blues clash on Saturday night, while the Bulls and Sharks meet in
the very last game of the regular season on Sunday morning (AEST).
After racking up their ninth win from their past 10 games, the high-flying Chiefs
now have the luxury of sitting back and waiting to see who they will host next
weekend for a berth in the May 30 tournament decider.
Usually two of the most entertaining sides in the competition, the Chiefs and
Brumbies began cautiously at Waikato Stadium, not willing to chance their arm.
With the stakes high, the nerves were evident as Brumbies centre Stirling Mortlock -
the highest pointscorer in Super rugby history - and Chiefs five-eighth Stephen
Donald both missed routine penalty attempts inside the first half hour.
The Brumbies finally opened the scoring in the 34th minute through a try to winger
Francis Fainifo.
Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper made the initial bust before kicking ahead, with Fainifo
beating his wing opposite Lelia Masaga to the ball to score out wide.
Mortlock added the sideline conversion to give the Brumbies a 7-0 lead.
But the Chiefs hit straight back, Donald capitalising on a 50-metre movement to
score and convert in the 37th minute, leaving the game in the balance at 7-7 at the
break.
The Chiefs camped inside the Brumbies half for most of the second stanza, Donald
nailing the winning penalty from in front of the posts with 13 minutes remaining.
The Chiefs clinched their first-ever home semi-final and probably ended the
Brumbies' season in the process with a dour 10-7 Super 14 victory in rainy Hamilton
on Friday night.
A 67th-minute penalty goal from five-eighth Stephen Donald broke a 7-7 deadlock and
elevated the Chiefs above the Bulls to the top of the ladder after the opening match
of the decisive final round of the competition.
The Brumbies collected a vital bonus point for the narrow defeat to climb into
fourth spot, but still needed a succession of results to go their way to sneak into
the playoffs for the first time since winning the second of their Super rugby titles
in 2004.
Apart from requiring the injury-raved Blues to score an upset win over the Crusaders
- in addition to the defending champions not picking up any bonus points in Auckland
- the Brumbies were also relying on the lowly Lions beating the NSW Waratahs in
Johannesburg early Saturday morning (AEST) and the front-running Bulls accounting
for the Sharks in Pretoria.
The Crusaders and Blues clash on Saturday night, while the Bulls and Sharks meet in
the very last game of the regular season on Sunday morning (AEST).
After racking up their ninth win from their past 10 games, the high-flying Chiefs
now have the luxury of sitting back and waiting to see who they will host next
weekend for a berth in the May 30 tournament decider.
Usually two of the most entertaining sides in the competition, the Chiefs and
Brumbies began cautiously at Waikato Stadium, not willing to chance their arm.
With the stakes high, the nerves were evident as Brumbies centre Stirling Mortlock -
the highest pointscorer in Super rugby history - and Chiefs five-eighth Stephen
Donald both missed routine penalty attempts inside the first half hour.
The Brumbies finally opened the scoring in the 34th minute through a try to winger
Francis Fainifo.
Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper made the initial bust before kicking ahead, with Fainifo
beating his wing opposite Lelia Masaga to the ball to score out wide.
Mortlock added the sideline conversion to give the Brumbies a 7-0 lead.
But the Chiefs hit straight back, Donald capitalising on a 50-metre movement to
score and convert in the 37th minute, leaving the game in the balance at 7-7 at the
break.
The Chiefs camped inside the Brumbies half for most of the second stanza, Donald
nailing the winning penalty from in front of the posts with 13 minutes remaining.