The Chiefs have continued their dominant Super Rugby Pacific campaign, defeating the Queensland Reds 31-21 in a hard-fought clash in Brisbane to secure their sixth straight victory of the season.
The Waikato-based side overcame a determined Reds outfit at Suncorp Stadium, with late tries helping the visitors pull away in a physical contest that kept finals implications firmly in focus.
The win pushes the Chiefs to the top end of the Super Rugby Pacific standings as they continue building momentum heading into the closing stages of the regular season.
The Reds struck first through winger Lachie Anderson before the Chiefs responded quickly, with Wallace Sititi crashing over to level the scores early in the match. Damian McKenzie’s boot then helped edge the visitors ahead before halftime.
The contest remained tight throughout much of the second half, with Queensland briefly threatening a comeback after Joe Brial’s try narrowed the gap to three points midway through the match.
However, the turning point came after a controversial yellow card to Reds prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, allowing the Chiefs to capitalise on the numerical advantage almost immediately. Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho crossed for one of his two tries of the night as the visitors regained control.
Young Reds outside back Treyvon Pritchard produced one of the highlights of the evening with a brilliant solo try that brought the home side back within striking distance late in the game.
But the Chiefs sealed the result in the closing stages when All Blacks loose forward Wallace Sititi grabbed his second try of the match following sustained pressure near the Reds’ line.
The result keeps the Chiefs firmly in the hunt for the minor premiership and strengthens their credentials as one of the leading title contenders this season.
For the Reds, the loss deals a significant blow to hopes of securing a home playoff match, with pressure now mounting ahead of the final rounds of the competition.
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