Rugby Union Thriller in Melbourne as Chiefs Edge Out Rebels in Nail-biter
The Chiefs secured a narrow 26-23 victory over the Rebels in a hard-fought Super Rugby Pacific clash in Melbourne. All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie was the hero for the visitors, slotting a last-gasp penalty to seal the win for the Hamilton-based side.
In a closely contested encounter, the Rebels outscored the Chiefs by three tries to two, but McKenzie’s flawless kicking performance, which saw him land two conversions and four penalties for a 16-point haul, proved to be the difference between the two teams.
The Chiefs’ other points were scored by All Blacks forwards Tupou Vaa’i and Samisoni Taukei’aho, who both crossed the whitewash. For the Rebels, Lachie Anderson (2) and Glen Vaihu were the try-scorers, while Nick Jooste added a conversion and two penalties.
“The victory sees the Chiefs maintain their position in the Super Rugby Pacific standings, while the Rebels will be left to rue their missed opportunities in a tightly contested encounter.”
The match started cautiously, with both sides adopting a conservative approach in the opening exchanges. However, it was the visitors who drew first blood through a McKenzie penalty in the fourth minute.
The Rebels quickly responded, with Vaihu crossing the line after a well-worked move involving Sam Talakai and Anderson. Jooste missed the conversion, but he soon added a penalty to extend the hosts’ lead.
Vaa’i’s converted try in the 23rd minute put the Chiefs in front, but the Rebels regained the lead shortly before the interval through another Jooste penalty. McKenzie then struck a penalty of his own just before the half-time whistle, giving the Chiefs a narrow 13-11 advantage at the break.
The second half started brightly for the Chiefs, with Taukei’aho scoring a try off the back of a rolling maul, and McKenzie adding another penalty to extend their lead. However, the Rebels refused to surrender and fought their way back into the game, with Anderson scoring two tries to level the scores at 23-23.
In a dramatic finale, the Chiefs piled on the pressure in the Rebels’ 22, and were eventually awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which McKenzie coolly slotted to clinch the victory for the visitors.
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