Chiefs beat Reds for Super Rugby Pacific home semi, but concerns over injured Wallace Sititi

The Chiefs will have a home Super Rugby Pacific semifinal, but are likely to be without star No.8 Wallace Sititi, who suffered a head injury in their 46-24 win over Queensland Reds.

In a freak occurrence, Sititi copped a double headknock midway through the first half and play was paused for a long period, while he was treated on the ground by medical staff. He was conscious when leaving the ground on a medicart, before being taken to hospital.

Sititi had been hit high in a tackle by Reds loose forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, but almost instantly suffered a second headknock in a collision with one of his own teammates.

He was clearly in distress on the ground and was groggy when he attempted to stand. There was a delay of about six minutes, while he was attended by medics.

Salakaia-Loto was given a yellow card, but it wasn’t upgraded to red on review, with officials saying Sititi dipped into the tackle and the main damage was done by the collision with his teammate.

Next Friday, the Chiefs will host a semifinal against the Crusaders, who saw off the Blues 52-31 earlier. Under the competition’s ‘lucky loser’ concept, the Blues get another chance and will take on the in-form Hurricanes in Wellington, meaning the semifinalists are all New Zealand teams.

The Reds put forward a spirited effort, contesting everything with vigour, before the Chiefs’ class saw them take control midway through the second half.

In a welcome return from injury, first-five Damian McKenzie scored two tries in a 26-point haul overall

The semifinals:

Friday, 12 June

7.05pm, Chiefs v Crusaders, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Saturday, 13 June

7.05pm Hurricanes v Blues - Hnry Stadium, Wellington

See how the game unfolded here.

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