Waikato Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said there is pressure on the Super Rugby Pacific leaders after losing their perfect record in a shock 25-22 defeat to the Queensland Reds.
Replacement flyhalf Tom Lynagh landed a 78th-minute penalty for the Reds in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on Friday night to seal one of the shock results of the season — one the visitors said was built on defending “like a pack of dogs.”
The Chiefs are still guaranteed to finish this weekend atop the standings regardless of the remaining matches after winning all of their first 10 games.
Photo: AFP
However, McMillan said there would be extra pressure on them over the final three weeks of the regular season, starting with a home match against the strong Wellington Hurricanes on Saturday next week.
“We felt no pressure from the winning streak, we didn’t even really talk about it, but there’s no doubt this brings a little bit of pressure now, it brings us closer back to the pack and that might be a good thing too,” McMillan told broadcaster Sky TV. “We’ll sharpen the sword a little bit and look forward to the last few weeks.”
McMillan said his team failed to match the desperation of a Reds side that notched their fifth win to climb just inside the top eight.
“They did a good job shutting down our threats, and I think they won the kick battle, so we spent a lot of time at the wrong end of the field,” he said. “Other teams will see that, so if there’s a positive, we’ll start finding things out about shortcomings in our game now.”
“They looked like a desperate side and more desperate than us. That’s disappointing, but perhaps a good reality check,” he added.
Reds captain Tate McDermott said his team’s victory was encapsulated by the closing minutes, when the Chiefs launched an attack that went through 27 breakdown phases.
The visitors held firm on their try line, including the final act, when Chiefs hooker Tyrone Thompson was held up.
“We’ve always just lacked the polish, and discipline has been an Achilles heel for us,” McDermott said. “The boys kicked and defended really well, like a pack of dogs, so I’m so proud of that.”
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