Match Details
| Chiefs (NZ) |
VS |
Cheetahs (SA) |
|
22 |
Kick off times:
7:35pm
(Local) Sat 8 Mar
5:35pm
(AEDT) Sat 8 Mar
|
20 |
|
The Chiefs produced an astonishing second half comeback to steal an unlikely victory their Investec Super 14 clash against the Cheetahs in Hamilton on Saturday.
Down by 17 points at the break, the Chiefs played error-free rugby to turn the deficit on its head and claim their second victory of the season.
However it was the Cheetahs who came out firing and tries to wingers Eddie Fredericks and Jongi Nokwe, were both converted by Conrad Barnard, as the South Africans raced to a 17-0 lead.
The Nokwe try was scored while Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu was sinbinned for a dangerous tackle midway through the first half.
The Chiefs second half was in contrast to the error-riddled first and All Blacks scrumhalf Brendon Leonard crossed for their first try to close to 17-7.
Sivivatu then redeemed his earlier indiscretion when he scored the Chiefs second try, which was converted by Stephen Donald.
Minutes later Barnard gave the Cheetahs some breathing space, but centre Callum Bruce’s try gave the Chiefs a lifeline at 20-19.
Donald missed the conversion but made no mistake with five minutes remaining with a penalty kick after a Cheetahs high tackle.
Chiefs 22 (Brendon Leonard, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce tries; Stephen Donald 2 cons, pen) defeated Cheetahs 20 (Eddie Fredericks, Jongi Nokwe tries; Conrad Barnard 2 cons, 2 pens).
