Chiefs
Chiefs
18
WAIKATO STADIUM
FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 2010
Full Time
23
Reds
Reds
 
15
M Muliaina
14
L Masaga
x1
12
C Bruce
11
S Sivivatu
x1
10
S Donald
x1
9
B Leonard
5
C Retallick
3
N White
2
H Elliot
1
S Taumalolo
x1
17
T Smith
19
L Braid
20
J Poluleuligaga
21
M Delany
Preview: Chiefs v Reds
By Paul Neazor, Sportal
VENUE & TIME: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Friday March 5, 17.35 AEDT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 - Chiefs 8, Reds 6.

LAST TIME: March 28, 2009 (Brisbane) - Reds 26-50 Chiefs.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 26, 2008 - Chiefs 32-20 Reds.

MATCH ODDS: Luxbet(Thursday): Chiefs $1.06, Reds $9.00.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Chiefs are not suffering their usual crippling early-season injury toll, even though the two most senior locks are out of action at the moment. All replacements are seasoned campaigners who have stepped up and this week Mils Muliaina returns after his delayed start to the season. The Reds have lost an integral part of their run-on XV with Peter Hynes' withdrawal due to a dislocated finger, while backup halfback Richard Kingi (hamstring) is also out. Winger Rod Davies has a fractured cheekbone and Digby Ioane has damaged a knee, meaning the Reds start a new back three this week against one of the most dangerous backlines around.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Chiefs:
Round 1: Beat Sharks 19-18
Round 2: Beat Lions 72-65
Round 3: Beat Force 37-19

PAST FIVE Reds:
Round 1: Lost to Waratahs 28-30
Round 2: Beat Crusaders 41-20
Round 3: Lost to Blues 18-27

The Chiefs could hardly have asked for a better start to the season, winning three from three and taking all but one available point. This brings a pressure the side has rarely had to face - that of being a front-runner - but it's now one they have to cope with for the rest of the season. While they have not yet played any teams expected to be in the top four mix in May - the Sharks are proving to be the competition flops - last year's losing finalist has done all that has been asked. The Reds could have made a better start on the ladder, as they lost to the Waratahs in the last minute and only gave up the decisive score to the Blues at the death, but the question that needs to be answered is: Which is the real Reds team - the one that demolished the Crusaders or the nearly men of the other two weeks? Unless the Reds can get up in what will be a challenging match, it may be that the ‘nearly men' tag will be on their shoulders by week 14.

WHO'S HOT: The Chiefs, normally slow starters, have usually come alive as Stephen Donald has worked into the season but he's hit the ground running in 2010, playing good open-field rugby and kicking his goals. Callum Bruce was in fine form last week, opening the Force defence almost at will, and two lesser lights of the pack, Colin Bourke and Hikawera Elliot, took the chance offered by their starting roles to press claims for more regular run-on positions. The Reds have received solid efforts from their under-rated pack, where old hands Van Humphries and Saia Faingaa are invariably sound. With the losses out wide the in-form halfback pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper will be asked to do a lot of hard work if their team is to have a fighting chance.

WE THINK: Despite the Reds' significantly better start to 2010, we're running with the Chiefs for this match. They're home, they're in top form, things are going their way for a change and we believe they'll want to turn it on for the Hamilton faithful. We'll say there should be at least 10 points in the final wash and the home side should also get a bonus point.

TEAMS:

Chiefs: 1.Faka'anaua Taumalolo, 2.Hikawera Elliot, 3.Nathan White, 4.Romana Graham, 5.Culum Retallick, 6.Liam Messam, 7.Tanerau Latimer, 8.Colin Bourke, 9.Brendon Leonard, 10.Stephen Donald, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12.Callum Bruce, 13.Richard Kahui, 14.Lelia Masaga, 15.Mils Muliaina (captain).

Reserves: 16.Aled de Malmanche, 17.Toby Smith, 18.Jarrad Hoeata, 19.Luke Braid, 20.Junior Pololeuligaga, 21.Mike Delany, 22.Dwayne Sweeney.

Reds: 1.Ben Daley, 2.Saia Faingaa, 3.Laurie Weeks, 4.Adam Byrnes, 5.Van Humphries, 6.Scott Higginbotham, 7.Daniel Braid, 8.Leroy Houston, 9.Wade Genia (captain), 10.Quade Cooper, 11. Brando Va'aulu, 12.Anthony Faingaa, 13.Morgan Turinui, 14.Will Chambers, 15.Luke Morahan.

Reserves: 16.Sean Hardman, 17.Greg Holmes, 18.Robert Simmons, 19.Jack Schatz, 20.Ben Lucas, 21.Ben Tapuai, 22.Blair Connor

REFEREE: Chris Pollock
 
Preview: Chiefs v Reds
By Paul Neazor, Sportal
VENUE & TIME: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Friday March 5, 17.35 AEDT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 - Chiefs 8, Reds 6.

LAST TIME: March 28, 2009 (Brisbane) - Reds 26-50 Chiefs.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 26, 2008 - Chiefs 32-20 Reds.

MATCH ODDS: Luxbet(Thursday): Chiefs $1.06, Reds $9.00.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Chiefs are not suffering their usual crippling early-season injury toll, even though the two most senior locks are out of action at the moment. All replacements are seasoned campaigners who have stepped up and this week Mils Muliaina returns after his delayed start to the season. The Reds have lost an integral part of their run-on XV with Peter Hynes' withdrawal due to a dislocated finger, while backup halfback Richard Kingi (hamstring) is also out. Winger Rod Davies has a fractured cheekbone and Digby Ioane has damaged a knee, meaning the Reds start a new back three this week against one of the most dangerous backlines around.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Chiefs:
Round 1: Beat Sharks 19-18
Round 2: Beat Lions 72-65
Round 3: Beat Force 37-19

PAST FIVE Reds:
Round 1: Lost to Waratahs 28-30
Round 2: Beat Crusaders 41-20
Round 3: Lost to Blues 18-27

The Chiefs could hardly have asked for a better start to the season, winning three from three and taking all but one available point. This brings a pressure the side has rarely had to face - that of being a front-runner - but it's now one they have to cope with for the rest of the season. While they have not yet played any teams expected to be in the top four mix in May - the Sharks are proving to be the competition flops - last year's losing finalist has done all that has been asked. The Reds could have made a better start on the ladder, as they lost to the Waratahs in the last minute and only gave up the decisive score to the Blues at the death, but the question that needs to be answered is: Which is the real Reds team - the one that demolished the Crusaders or the nearly men of the other two weeks? Unless the Reds can get up in what will be a challenging match, it may be that the ‘nearly men' tag will be on their shoulders by week 14.

WHO'S HOT: The Chiefs, normally slow starters, have usually come alive as Stephen Donald has worked into the season but he's hit the ground running in 2010, playing good open-field rugby and kicking his goals. Callum Bruce was in fine form last week, opening the Force defence almost at will, and two lesser lights of the pack, Colin Bourke and Hikawera Elliot, took the chance offered by their starting roles to press claims for more regular run-on positions. The Reds have received solid efforts from their under-rated pack, where old hands Van Humphries and Saia Faingaa are invariably sound. With the losses out wide the in-form halfback pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper will be asked to do a lot of hard work if their team is to have a fighting chance.

WE THINK: Despite the Reds' significantly better start to 2010, we're running with the Chiefs for this match. They're home, they're in top form, things are going their way for a change and we believe they'll want to turn it on for the Hamilton faithful. We'll say there should be at least 10 points in the final wash and the home side should also get a bonus point.

TEAMS:

Chiefs: 1.Faka'anaua Taumalolo, 2.Hikawera Elliot, 3.Nathan White, 4.Romana Graham, 5.Culum Retallick, 6.Liam Messam, 7.Tanerau Latimer, 8.Colin Bourke, 9.Brendon Leonard, 10.Stephen Donald, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12.Callum Bruce, 13.Richard Kahui, 14.Lelia Masaga, 15.Mils Muliaina (captain).

Reserves: 16.Aled de Malmanche, 17.Toby Smith, 18.Jarrad Hoeata, 19.Luke Braid, 20.Junior Pololeuligaga, 21.Mike Delany, 22.Dwayne Sweeney.

Reds: 1.Ben Daley, 2.Saia Faingaa, 3.Laurie Weeks, 4.Adam Byrnes, 5.Van Humphries, 6.Scott Higginbotham, 7.Daniel Braid, 8.Leroy Houston, 9.Wade Genia (captain), 10.Quade Cooper, 11. Brando Va'aulu, 12.Anthony Faingaa, 13.Morgan Turinui, 14.Will Chambers, 15.Luke Morahan.

Reserves: 16.Sean Hardman, 17.Greg Holmes, 18.Robert Simmons, 19.Jack Schatz, 20.Ben Lucas, 21.Ben Tapuai, 22.Blair Connor

REFEREE: Chris Pollock
 
80:00 Luke Braid knocks on in the lineout ruining any chance for a Chiefs win. The Reds displayed a solid 2nd half performance and win the game 23-18. Thanks for joining us.
 
79:00 The Reds are penalised for offside, The Chiefs kick for touch and have a lineout on the Reds' 5m
 
78:00 Luke Braid knocks it on but the Chiefs get lucky as a Genia kick goes out on the full after advantage was over.
 
77:00 Chambers drops a high ball this time and the Chiefs may be able to set an attack from this position.
 
75:00 13 phases from the Reds was not enough to break the Chiefs defence, Chambers knocks on and the Chiefs will scrum dwon in their own 22.
 
73:00 Connor comes on for Va'aulu, The Chiefs prove strong on defence and gain possession to boot the ball down the field.
 
71:00 A great grubber from Genia puts Muliaina under too much pressure and all he can do is boot it into touch. Lineout Reds in the Chiefs 22m
 
70:00 Great work from Daniel Braid turns the ball over just as the Chiefs were looking dangerous, Cooper kicks for touch and it will be a reds' lineout just outside their own 22m.
 
68:00 Sweeney comes on for Sivivatu, The Chiefs forwards continue to bash this Reds' defence. They are only 5m out now.
 
66:00 Hoeata comes on for Retallick. The Reds try something risky from their own 22m and it doesn't pay off and the ball is lost forward. Scrum Chiefs
 
65:00 Masaga breezes past 4 Reds' defenders to gain 40m and get the Chiefs into the Reds' 22m, Taumalolo knocks on slowing down the chiefs attack and turning possession over.
 
64:00 TRY REDS - Morahan shows electrifying pace to beat both Sivivatu and Muliaina to the ball and score under the posts. Cooper converts and the Reds lead for the first time 23-18.
 
63:00 Kahui is hit in a huge tackle from Chambers. The reds get possession and boot the ball down field, the chase is on!
 
60:00 Delany and Luke Braid come on for Bruce and Bourke respectively. The Chiefs have the scrum in the Reds half.
 
58:00 PENALTY - Bruce is penalised for not rolling away in the tackle, Cooper slots the kick from 40m out and the gap closes with the Chiefs still in the lead 18-16
 
55:00 Byrnes is penalised at the breakdown, Donald is not having a good night with the boot and misses another shot at goal from 40m out.
 
53:00 A Sivivatu kick travels too far as it bounces over the dead ball line. The Reds opt for the scrum back in the Chiefs half. Smith and De Malmanche replace White and Elliot.
 
51:00 An error from Va'aulu under the high ball gifts the Chiefs a scrum feed in the Reds' half.
 
49:00 A spectator on the field doesn't faze either team. The Reds are putting together some good set pieces and are now 20m out from the Chiefs try line.
 
47:00 Callum Bruce throws a forward pass just as the Chiefs started to get something going in this 2nd half. Scrum Reds close to half way.
 
45:00 Cooper misses his first kick of the night. 22m drop out to the Chiefs.
 
44:00 Humphries busts through 3 Chiefs defenders to advance the Reds up to the Chiefs 22m. White is penalised at the breakdown and Cooper will have a shot at goal.
 
42:00 Va'aulu is back on the field and will need to be disciplined to avoid any chance of a red card. Genia throws a forward pass and the Chiefs will feed the scrum in their own half.
 
41:00 Donald has kicked off and we are back underway here in the 2nd half. Va'aulu will be returning from the sin bin any minute now.
 
40:00 A poor pass from Sivivatu throws away any chance for a Chiefs score before the Break. The Chiefs will go into the break with an 18-13 lead over the Reds at half time.
 
39:00 The Reds get some good momentum going from the restart but Daley knocks on in the tackle ball area. Chiefs scrum close to half way
 
38:00 PENALTY - Taumalolo is penalised for offside at the breakdown, Cooper slots the ball over from 40m out, The Chiefs lead in now down to 18-13
 
36:00 PENALTY - Cooper is successful, his kick helps close the Chiefs lead down to 18-10
 
35:00 Faingaa busts a Kahui tackle, Elliot is penalised for not rolling away and Cooper will have a penalty shot at goal 22m out on the sideline.
 
33:00 PENALTY - Va'aulu is yellow carded for a spear tackle so the Reds will be a player down for 10 minutes. Donald opts for a penalty shot at goal and is successful, Chiefs lead 18-7
 
30:00 Latimer is penalised in the lineout for dragging down a Reds player. The Reds kick for touch but make a mistake in the lineout. Scrum Chiefs
 
29:00 Higginbotham puts in a good kick down the sideline to give the Reds a good attacking opportunity close the the Chiefs 22m
 
27:00 TRY REDS - Coopers puts Chambers into a gap who scores under the posts virtually untouched. Cooper converts and the score is now 15-7 to the Chiefs
 
26:00 Sivivatu is penalised for offside, Genia opts to kick for touch and the Reds will try and apply some pressure to this Chiefs defence.
 
25:00 A poor pass from Genia to Chambers goes into touch blowing any chance for the Reds close to the Chiefs try line.
 
23:00 Va'aulu makes a break down the side to advance the Reds close to the Chiefs 22m.
 
22:00 TRY CHIEFS - Taumalolo scores in the corner off a pick and go. Donald misses again and the Chiefs lead 15-0
 
18:00 Sivivatu shows some fancy footwork to advance the Chiefs close to the Reds' 22m. Bruce throws a forward pass due to some rush defence from the Reds, scrum Reds.
 
16:00 The Reds start to build some momentum but it is all lost as Cooper throws a low pass to Turinui who can not control the ball. Scrum Chiefs outside their own 22m
 
15:00 Luke Braid comes on for Burke who is off on a blood replacement. Chiefs have the scrum feed in their own half due to a Cooper mistake.
 
14:00 Faingaa sweeps up a dropped ball from the Chiefs on half way. The Reds are advancing up the Chiefs half thanks to some good forward drives.
 
12:00 This Reds defence is putting up no fight as the chiefs quickly advance into their half from the restart. Kahui throws a forward pass saving the Reds who will have the scrum feed.
 
10:00 TRY CHIEFS - Masaga scores in the corner thanks to good runs from both Sivivatu and Muliaina. Donald misses his 2nd attempt at goal. Chiefs lead 10-0
 
08:30 The Reds gain possession for the first time and then quickly lose it again with a mistake from their own lineout. Chiefs have the ball in their own 22m
 
06:00 A poor pass from Donald goes into touch letting the Reds off the hook. Lineout Reds outside their own 22m
 
05:00 Humphries is penalised for coming in from the side at the breakdown and Donald will kick for touch again, his kick brings the Chiefs into the Reds' half
 
04:00 TRY CHIEFS - A terrible start from the Reds' on defence gifts Sivivatu the easiest of tries in the corner early on. Donald's kick is unsuccessful and the Chiefs take the lead 5-0
 
02:00 Problems early on at scrum time for both teams. Daley of the Reds is penalised early on and Donald will kick for touch. The Chiefs have the lineout just outside of the Reds' 22m
 
00:00 Thank you for joining us for this Super 14 Round 4 match between the Chiefs and the Reds from Hamilton. The Reds have kicked off and we are underway in the first half.
Chiefs
Reds
Tries
S Taumalolo, S Sivivatu, L Masaga
W Chambers, L Morahan
 
Conversions
Q Cooper (2)
 
Penalty Goals
S Donald
Q Cooper (3)
 
54%
Possession
46%
 
 
 
 
11
Scrum Wins
5
14
Lineouts Wins
5
58
Rucks & Mauls
90
103/11
Tackles / Missed
75/13
7
Turnovers
10
9
Penalties Conceded
6
 
 
80:00 Luke Braid knocks on in the lineout ruining any chance for a Chiefs win. The Reds displayed a solid 2nd half performance and win the game 23-18. Thanks for joining us.
 
79:00 The Reds are penalised for offside, The Chiefs kick for touch and have a lineout on the Reds' 5m
 
78:00 Luke Braid knocks it on but the Chiefs get lucky as a Genia kick goes out on the full after advantage was over.
 
77:00 Chambers drops a high ball this time and the Chiefs may be able to set an attack from this position.
 
75:00 13 phases from the Reds was not enough to break the Chiefs defence, Chambers knocks on and the Chiefs will scrum dwon in their own 22.
 
73:00 Connor comes on for Va'aulu, The Chiefs prove strong on defence and gain possession to boot the ball down the field.
 
71:00 A great grubber from Genia puts Muliaina under too much pressure and all he can do is boot it into touch. Lineout Reds in the Chiefs 22m
 
70:00 Great work from Daniel Braid turns the ball over just as the Chiefs were looking dangerous, Cooper kicks for touch and it will be a reds' lineout just outside their own 22m.
 
68:00 Sweeney comes on for Sivivatu, The Chiefs forwards continue to bash this Reds' defence. They are only 5m out now.
 
66:00 Hoeata comes on for Retallick. The Reds try something risky from their own 22m and it doesn't pay off and the ball is lost forward. Scrum Chiefs
 
65:00 Masaga breezes past 4 Reds' defenders to gain 40m and get the Chiefs into the Reds' 22m, Taumalolo knocks on slowing down the chiefs attack and turning possession over.
 
64:00 TRY REDS - Morahan shows electrifying pace to beat both Sivivatu and Muliaina to the ball and score under the posts. Cooper converts and the Reds lead for the first time 23-18.
 
63:00 Kahui is hit in a huge tackle from Chambers. The reds get possession and boot the ball down field, the chase is on!
 
60:00 Delany and Luke Braid come on for Bruce and Bourke respectively. The Chiefs have the scrum in the Reds half.
 
58:00 PENALTY - Bruce is penalised for not rolling away in the tackle, Cooper slots the kick from 40m out and the gap closes with the Chiefs still in the lead 18-16
 
55:00 Byrnes is penalised at the breakdown, Donald is not having a good night with the boot and misses another shot at goal from 40m out.
 
53:00 A Sivivatu kick travels too far as it bounces over the dead ball line. The Reds opt for the scrum back in the Chiefs half. Smith and De Malmanche replace White and Elliot.
 
51:00 An error from Va'aulu under the high ball gifts the Chiefs a scrum feed in the Reds' half.
 
49:00 A spectator on the field doesn't faze either team. The Reds are putting together some good set pieces and are now 20m out from the Chiefs try line.
 
47:00 Callum Bruce throws a forward pass just as the Chiefs started to get something going in this 2nd half. Scrum Reds close to half way.
 
45:00 Cooper misses his first kick of the night. 22m drop out to the Chiefs.
 
44:00 Humphries busts through 3 Chiefs defenders to advance the Reds up to the Chiefs 22m. White is penalised at the breakdown and Cooper will have a shot at goal.
 
42:00 Va'aulu is back on the field and will need to be disciplined to avoid any chance of a red card. Genia throws a forward pass and the Chiefs will feed the scrum in their own half.
 
41:00 Donald has kicked off and we are back underway here in the 2nd half. Va'aulu will be returning from the sin bin any minute now.
 
40:00 A poor pass from Sivivatu throws away any chance for a Chiefs score before the Break. The Chiefs will go into the break with an 18-13 lead over the Reds at half time.
 
39:00 The Reds get some good momentum going from the restart but Daley knocks on in the tackle ball area. Chiefs scrum close to half way
 
38:00 PENALTY - Taumalolo is penalised for offside at the breakdown, Cooper slots the ball over from 40m out, The Chiefs lead in now down to 18-13
 
36:00 PENALTY - Cooper is successful, his kick helps close the Chiefs lead down to 18-10
 
35:00 Faingaa busts a Kahui tackle, Elliot is penalised for not rolling away and Cooper will have a penalty shot at goal 22m out on the sideline.
 
33:00 PENALTY - Va'aulu is yellow carded for a spear tackle so the Reds will be a player down for 10 minutes. Donald opts for a penalty shot at goal and is successful, Chiefs lead 18-7
 
30:00 Latimer is penalised in the lineout for dragging down a Reds player. The Reds kick for touch but make a mistake in the lineout. Scrum Chiefs
 
29:00 Higginbotham puts in a good kick down the sideline to give the Reds a good attacking opportunity close the the Chiefs 22m
 
27:00 TRY REDS - Coopers puts Chambers into a gap who scores under the posts virtually untouched. Cooper converts and the score is now 15-7 to the Chiefs
 
26:00 Sivivatu is penalised for offside, Genia opts to kick for touch and the Reds will try and apply some pressure to this Chiefs defence.
 
25:00 A poor pass from Genia to Chambers goes into touch blowing any chance for the Reds close to the Chiefs try line.
 
23:00 Va'aulu makes a break down the side to advance the Reds close to the Chiefs 22m.
 
22:00 TRY CHIEFS - Taumalolo scores in the corner off a pick and go. Donald misses again and the Chiefs lead 15-0
 
18:00 Sivivatu shows some fancy footwork to advance the Chiefs close to the Reds' 22m. Bruce throws a forward pass due to some rush defence from the Reds, scrum Reds.
 
16:00 The Reds start to build some momentum but it is all lost as Cooper throws a low pass to Turinui who can not control the ball. Scrum Chiefs outside their own 22m
 
15:00 Luke Braid comes on for Burke who is off on a blood replacement. Chiefs have the scrum feed in their own half due to a Cooper mistake.
 
14:00 Faingaa sweeps up a dropped ball from the Chiefs on half way. The Reds are advancing up the Chiefs half thanks to some good forward drives.
 
12:00 This Reds defence is putting up no fight as the chiefs quickly advance into their half from the restart. Kahui throws a forward pass saving the Reds who will have the scrum feed.
 
10:00 TRY CHIEFS - Masaga scores in the corner thanks to good runs from both Sivivatu and Muliaina. Donald misses his 2nd attempt at goal. Chiefs lead 10-0
 
08:30 The Reds gain possession for the first time and then quickly lose it again with a mistake from their own lineout. Chiefs have the ball in their own 22m
 
06:00 A poor pass from Donald goes into touch letting the Reds off the hook. Lineout Reds outside their own 22m
 
05:00 Humphries is penalised for coming in from the side at the breakdown and Donald will kick for touch again, his kick brings the Chiefs into the Reds' half
 
04:00 TRY CHIEFS - A terrible start from the Reds' on defence gifts Sivivatu the easiest of tries in the corner early on. Donald's kick is unsuccessful and the Chiefs take the lead 5-0
 
02:00 Problems early on at scrum time for both teams. Daley of the Reds is penalised early on and Donald will kick for touch. The Chiefs have the lineout just outside of the Reds' 22m
 
00:00 Thank you for joining us for this Super 14 Round 4 match between the Chiefs and the Reds from Hamilton. The Reds have kicked off and we are underway in the first half.
Chiefs
Reds
Tries
S Taumalolo, S Sivivatu, L Masaga
W Chambers, L Morahan
 
Conversions
Q Cooper (2)
 
Penalty Goals
S Donald
Q Cooper (3)
 
54%
Possession
46%
 
 
 
 
11
Scrum Wins
5
14
Lineouts Wins
5
58
Rucks & Mauls
90
103/11
Tackles / Missed
75/13
7
Turnovers
10
9
Penalties Conceded
6
 
 
Reds end Chiefs run
By Andy Spear at Waikato Stadium, Sportal
After a worrisome start, the Reds have got themselves up to hand the Chiefs their first defeat of the season on Friday night at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton after trailing for much of the game.

The Chiefs scored three tries to the Reds one in the first half, but poor discipline and some wayward conversion attempts kept the home side within reach at the break.

However, an opportune try to flying winger Luke Morahan sealed the 23-18 win for the Reds who showed amazing character to win the match after conceding the three early tries.

For the Chiefs, their first game at home for the season brought to an end their unbeaten run, while the Reds managed to topple another big New Zealand side after downing the Crusaders two weeks before.

The talent the Chiefs backline possesses was made obvious within the first 10 minutes of the match, however, when their two All Black wingers, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga, both scored early tries in the corners to give the home side a handy lead.

Their All Black counterpart in first five-eighths Stephen Donald failed to covert both kicks but the 10-point buffer allowed the Chiefs a bit of breathing space to play their dangerous, expansive style that has made them the talk of the tournament so far.

While the Reds were battling to contain the Chiefs backline, they also had to try and stop a rampaging forwards outfit that looked hungry to stretch the score even further.

And big prop Sona Taumalolo did just that when he crashed over in the 22nd minute to bump the score out to 15-0 with Donald again missing the kick.

The Reds hit back soon after when former Melbourne Storm star Will Chambers, in his first start for his new side, received a great pass from first five-eighths Quade Cooper to score under the sticks.

The successful Cooper conversion closed the gap to eight points but it was hardly a reflection of the dominance the Chiefs had held over the opening stages of the game.

Two penalties to Cooper and one to Donald allowed the Reds to close slightly but it was obvious the Chiefs held the advantage, moving into the break 18-13 ahead.

The Reds started the second half strongly and pushed the Chiefs deep back into their half although Cooper missed a kickable penalty allowing the Chiefs to relieve some pressure.

Donald's poor night with the boot continued when he also missed a penalty, but the inclusion of All Black hooker Aled de Malmanche in the Chiefs front-row immediately added the extra muscle the home side needed.

Cooper was able to nail a penalty kick in the 57th minute to narrow the gap to two points.

The Reds then took the lead when a dropped ball was scooped up by former All Black openside Daniel Braid who booted it down field.

Morahan displayed impressive pace to reach the ball first and recollect it for the score.

Cooper's successful two-pointer took the visitors to 23-18 ahead.

The Chiefs went close to scoring after a big forwards drive had them camped on the Reds line, but some pressure defence from Braid allowed Cooper to clear and get play back down the other end of the field with 10 minutes remaining.

The Chiefs were on the back foot for the rest of the match and had to settle for the loss.

Chiefs 18
Tries: Sivivatu, Masaga, Taumalolo
Pen: Donald

Reds 23
Tries: Chambers, Morahan
Con: Cooper 2
Pen: Cooper 3

HT: 18-13
Chiefs
Reds
Tries
S Taumalolo, S Sivivatu, L Masaga
W Chambers, L Morahan
 
Conversions
Q Cooper (2)
 
Penalty Goals
S Donald
Q Cooper (3)
 
54%
Possession
46%
 
 
 
 
11
Scrum Wins
5
14
Lineouts Wins
5
58
Rucks & Mauls
90
103/11
Tackles / Missed
75/13
7
Turnovers
10
9
Penalties Conceded
6