Chiefs suffer setback in Super Rugby
Source: AFP |
July 8, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Chiefs' defense of their Super Rugby title became more tenuous when they were trounced 15-43 by the Crusaders in the weekend's 19th round, allowing South Africa's Bulls to move atop the table with a cliff-hanger win over the Sharks.
After leading the New Zealand conference by as many as 15 points, the Hamilton-based Chiefs found themselves only five points ahead of the Crusaders with one regular season round remaining, in danger of losing their home playoffs advantage.
The Crusaders scored five tries to clinch their own place in the playoffs and to keep alive their bids for a first-place finish in New Zealand and an eighth Super Rugby title.
The Pretoria-based Bulls came from behind twice to beat the Sharks 20-19 with a 73rd-minute try to replacement Jano Vermaak. The three-time champions then watched nervously as Sharks fullback Riaan Viljoen missed a last-minute penalty which would have snapped their winning streak at eight games and left the Chiefs clinging to the top of the table.
With one regular season round left, the six teams that will contest the playoffs have now been found. The Chiefs and Crusaders from New Zealand, the Bulls and Cheetahs from South Africa and the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds from Australia have all clinched playoffs places.
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