Chiefs get back in gear with victory over Reds

Hamilton – The Waikato Chiefs jump-started a Super 12 rugby union campaign stalled on the starting line when they beat the injury-hit Queensland Reds 43-27 at Waikato on Saturday.

Both teams entered the match with only a bonus point from their first two matches, aware that the loser would face a huge task to rebuild their season.

“Two desperate teams came to this stadium tonight and we came away with the win,” said Chiefs captain and lock Jono Gibbes.

“We were very disappointed with our recent form and we took a hard look ourselves this week. We studied the Reds very hard and we realised they were very tight in the defensive pocket inside flyhalf.”

“It wasn’t a flawless performance by us or by them. There was a lot of anxiety because of the situation both teams were in and that led to mistakes.”

Flyhalf Elton Flatley was propelled by injuries into the captaincy of the Queensland team and, although he contributed a try, three conversions and two penalties, he couldn’t lift them to their first win.

“Our defence was poor and our attack wasn’t much better. We made a lot of mistakes and it wasn’t the sort of team performance we strive for.

“We have a bye next week and so it’s a case now of working very hard when we get back to Brisbane and trying to turn things around,” said Flatley.

The Reds forged a one-point lead during a tightly fought first half in which rigid defence by both sides curbed attacking opportunities.

The Chiefs swept to an early eight-point lead with a penalty to flyhalf David Hill and a try to inside centre Mark Ranby.

Flatley scored the Reds’ first 13 points with two penalties, a try and a conversion and added the conversion of a Wendell Sailor try to give Queensland a 20-19 lead at the break.

The Chiefs scored tries immediately before halftime through left wing Shayne Austin and immediately after through right wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.

They scored three second half tries, including a second to Austin and another to Gibbes to claim their first-ever bonus point from the Reds.

Scores: Waikato 43 (Shayne Austin 2, Mark Ranby, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Jono Gibbes tries; David Hill 3 conversions, 4 penalties) beat Queensland 27 (Wendell Sailor 2, Elton Flatley, tries; Flatley 3 conversions, 2 penalties). – Sapa-AP

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