The Waikato Chiefs leapt into the Super 12 top four with a dominant 29-14 win over South Africa's second-placed Western Stormers yesterday.
The Chiefs, who have never made the Super 12 playoffs, recovered strongly from their trip to South Africa by scoring four tries including a double to flying left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.
PHOTO: AP
It lifted the Chiefs temporarily ahead of the Crusaders and Sharks to third on the points table ahead of today's games.
The disappointing Stormers remained second despite missing a bonus point but it was a far cry from their rampaging 51-23 away win over defending champions the Auckland Blues a week ago.
The home side yesterday were missing key men Keith Robinson and Keith Lowen through injury but took control immediately.
They held the ball for almost the entire first half, and the Stormers were lucky to trail just 7-15 at the break.
Blockbusting No. 8 Sione Lauaki was outstanding and played a big part in most Chiefs attacks, while halves Byron Kelleher and Glen Jackson kicked for position.
Kelleher continued his top form with the opening try from a solo 20m burst in the 14th minute, before Sivivatu scored his first eight minutes later after a sideline break by mercurial inside center Mark Ranby.
The Stormers stayed in touch with a try to strong running center Marius Joubert just before the break, but it was a rare foray into the Chiefs' 22m zone.
Sivivatu's second from a 40m run gave the Chiefs a handy 22-7 lead with 30 minutes left, and they repelled a wave of Stormers attacks before center Derek Maisey sealed it with an intercept try four minutes from time.
The visitors scored a consolation try to lock Willem Stoltz on the full-time siren.
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