A withering closing burst produced a second bonus-point win in as many matches for the reigning Super 15 champions the Waikato Chiefs as they beat the Central Cheetahs 45-3 yesterday.
In their first home game at Waikato Stadium since beating the Coastal Sharks in last year’s final, the Chiefs scored four of their six tries in the closing 15 minutes of the fast-paced spectacle.
However, before travel fatigue began to hit the Cheetahs in their first game after the long flight from South Africa, they had the Chiefs on the back foot.
Photo: AFP
For most of the first half the Chiefs were furiously defending and although they managed to lead 10-3 at the turn, they held only 21 percent of territory and were given a stern message at the break by coach Dave Rennie.
“Nothing like a good telling off at halftime,” Chiefs captain Liam Messam said of their second-half domination. “We didn’t turn up in the first half and they were beating us at our own game at the breakdowns. So we just went back to basics, good clean ball for our backs and we scored at the end of the game. They’re big boys and something we pride ourselves on is the breakdown, so we gave our backs some quick ball.”
The Cheetahs opened continuing the form of their stunning second-half fightback against the Sharks last week, with flanker Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne driving them forward.
However, the sole try in the first half came from a rare Chiefs foray into Cheetahs territory, where Messam took the ball from the back of a ruck and drove over the line.
Gareth Anscombe, who finished with a match-haul 20 points, added the conversion and a penalty, while Johan Goosen was successful with only one of four penalty attempts for the Cheetahs.
Goosen was not the only Cheetah to be off-song, as handling errors and misdirected passes meant they failed to cross the Chiefs line, despite frequent charges by Labuschagne taking them within striking distance.
Ben Afeaki scored the second try a minute after halftime when a defensive clearing kick by Goosen was charged down and the Chiefs’ prop was on hand to snap up the loose ball and dive over the line.
As momentum began to switch to the Chiefs, the Cheetahs hung on as long as they could until the floodgates opened in the final 15 minutes, allowing Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Anscombe, Rhys Marshall and Ben Tameifuna to cross for tries.
The Chiefs now travel to South Africa to play the Western Stormers next weekend in Cape Town, while the Cheetahs face the Otago Highlanders in Invercargill.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely