Chiefs hang on for win after Moana Pasifika threaten to run away with it

Moana Pasifika scored four converted tries in 32 minutes to almost steal a remarkable victory over the Super Rugby Pacific leading Chiefs in Pukekohe tonight.

In the end the Chiefs, up 43-7 at halftime, held on to win 50-35, with replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho’s try for the victors with two minutes remaining greeted with a sense of relief.

It was an extraordinary performance from Moana Pasifika, who were second best all over the park in the first half – especially in terms of the set piece and penalty count – but who fought back with a courage representative of their entire season so far.

Already missing inspirational skipper Ardie Savea, who was rested, Moana Pasifika lost stand-in captain Tom Savage to a yellow card in the first half and the Chiefs had what they must have thought was a winning bonus point as the match entered its second quarter.

Bradley Slater, Shaun Stevenson, Xavier Roe, Leroy Carter, Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Damian McKenzie all crossed the line for the Chiefs as Moana Pasifika struggled not only with their discipline but maintaining possession.

With a narrow defensive line too easily breached by their opponents, especially McKenzie and fullback Shaun Stevenson, the match was heading for a cricket score but for Moana’s fightback which began straight from the re-start.

Fullback William Havili put Moana on the board before the break by finishing with a rare sense of continuity to their attack and prop Abraham Pole was the beneficiary of a far better flow from the kick-off.

Hooker Sama Malolo was next on the board before replacement left wing Tuna Tuitama, who had earlier knocked the ball on over the tryline, scored wide on the left following a brilliant kick into space by first-five Patrick Pellegrini, who was again influential.

The try by Tuitama, who was on debut, was converted by Pellegrini and suddenly Moana were in the hunt at only 43-28 down.

Havili’s gamble to go for an intercept on his own 22m paid off handsomely, the fullback running in for another converted try and the Chiefs were defending an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining.

Fortunately for them, a penalty put them in driving distance of a try and from the resulting lineout win, Taukei’aho went over from the back of a maul to seal a win that was far less convincing than it should have been.

They hardly attacked in Moana's half in the second half, with their opponents showing a vastly improved set piece and direction on attack.

The competition leaders stayed on top, but Moana’s comeback, led by loose forward Miracle Failagi, meant they lost their bonus point.

Chiefs 50 (Bradley Slater, Shaun Stevenson, Xavier Roe, Leroy Carter, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Damian McKenzie, Samisoni Tau’keiaho tries; McKenzie 6 cons, pen)

Moana Pasifika 35 (William Havili 2, Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, Tuna Tuitama tries; Patrick Pellegrini 5 cons)

Halftime: 43-7