Chiefs bank bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika to move closer to top-four finish
Friday, 10 May 2024
The Chiefs moved closer to another top-four finish with a comfortable victory over Moana Pasifika.
Moana Pasifika were playing at their fifth home venue of the season, back at Mt Smart, and there were only several hundred in attendance.
The Chiefs scored seven tries without their star playmaker Damian McKenzie.
At Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland: Chiefs 43 (Quinn Tupaea 23’, Josh Jacomb 34’, Etene Nanai-Seturo 41’, Anton Lienert-Brown 51’, Simon Parker 57’, Luke Jacobson 75’, Liam Coombes-Fabling 80’ tries; Jacomb 4 con) Moana Pasifika 7 (Anzelo Tuitavuki 71’ try; D’Angelo Leuila con). HT: 12-0. Yellow cards: Irie Papuni, Aisea Halo (Moana Pasifika).
The Chiefs banked a bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika that keeps them entrenched in Super Rugby Pacific’s top four.
Clayton McMillan’s team toiled without their key man, Damian McKenzie, but their class and power was enough for a 43-7 victory on Friday night that was a case of job done in an underwhelming occasion.
Tana Umaga’s faltering Moana Pasifika side were back at Mt Smart, their Auckland base, but there was another poor crowd after their abysmal attendances last year at the same venue.
Only several hundred populated the East Stand on a chilly autumn night and despite their best efforts, Moana Pasifika were no match for a strong Chiefs outfit and their play-off hopes were dented with another defeat.
Etene Nanai-Seturo’s wonderful individual finish to start the second half, a fabulous chip-and-chase effort, got the Chiefs rolling after the break before further tries for Anton Lienert-Brown, busy loose forward Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson and the energetic Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Danny Toala posed the occasional threat for the hosts, but the Chiefs forwards were too dominant and led superbly by the returning Jacobson and No 8 Wallace Sititi.
Rookie No 10 Josh Jacomb had an indifferent night, stepping into McKenzie’s shoes for the first time while the All Blacks playmaker was sidelined by concussion protocols, but he showed glimpses of his promise.
The Chiefs looked dominant in contact from the opening plays and there was a sense they could replicate the record victory they achieved over the same opponents (68-12) in Hamilton only five weeks ago.
Moana Pasifika were more resilient this time and lock Semisi Paea found some joy in stealing turnovers in a tight first half.
The Chiefs needed inspiration after a sloppy start. Jacomb booted a kick to the corner dead and their performance was flat against the home side’s lively start.
Big carries from big runners, such as Samisoni Taukei’aho and Quinn Tupaea, blasted them into Moana Pasifika’s 22 for the latter’s opening try. It was the spark the match needed.
The hosts were briefly down to 13 players moments later when Irie Papuni and Aisea Halo were shown yellow cards.
Papuni made high contact on Ollie Norris and Halo cynically kicked the ball out of opposing halfback Xavier Roe’s hands under referee Damon Murphy’s nose.
The Chiefs pounced but managed only one try with that numerical advantage when Jacomb strolled over. In fact, Moana Pasifika should have crossed themselves, but Kyren Taumoefolau knocked on over the line.
They did manage a late consolation try to avoid going scoreless when reserve outside back Anzelo Tuitavukito went over to a flicker of cheers from the empty stands.
The big picture
Moana Pasifika’s return to Mt Smart ensured they were playing at their fifth home venue since the season began in February, after Hamilton, Eden Park, Whangārei and Tonga.
Whether they make the play-offs or not (their hopes are fading after a sixth defeat from seven) seems irrelevant because their future beyond this year has not been guaranteed. They remained ninth and outside the play-off positions with a 3-8 record.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are looking more secure for another top-four finish and a home quarterfinal in June, moving up to third with their eighth win from 11 matches.
What’s next
Moana Pasifika have one more home fixture, at Mt Smart again, when hosting the Waratahs in a fortnight. First, they play the Hurricanes in Wellington next Friday night.
The Chiefs fly across the ditch to play the Rebels next Friday night before finishing the regular season with vital matches against the Hurricanes (home) and the Blues (away).