A late try by Shaun Stevenson was enough to ensure that the Chiefs beat Stormers in Super Rugby quarter final.
Ending 17-11, the Chiefs got the job done on the road and will now take on a long 24-hour flight back to New Zealand where a clash against the Crusaders awaits in the Semi Finals.
The Stormers beat the Chiefs back in April at Newlands Stadium; so there was every reason for the home side to be confident. But this game didn’t live up the the standard of that 34-26 thriller. In fact, today’s bruising encounter was riddled with handling errors by both sides, but the Stormers were frankly too ill-disciplined.
Chiefs Beat Stormers In Super Rugby Quarter Final
With the pressure of a quarter final; both teams took most of the First Half to find their rhythm. The Chiefs, largely through Stephen Donald and Damian McKenzie, edged in front as the penalty count steadily went in favour of the visitors.
The Stormers looked likely with ball in hand at times in the opening stanza; but terrible discipline at the breakdown saw the Chiefs head into the break with a 9-3 advantage.
Siya Kolisi scored for the Stormers as the home side came roaring out of the sheds to begin the Second Half. Earlier in the week, Kolisi had drawn attention after making comments in the media that suggested the Stormers had a better coaching unit that had prepared the side to play ‘proper rugby’.
TMO Forces Jaco Peyper To Send Chiefs Player From Field
Sam Cane was sent to the sin bin in questionable circumstances as the game entered its final quarter.
In a double tackle on the Stormers ball carrier Dillyn Leyds; the TMO instructed referee Jaco Peyper to award a yellow card; citing a head high tackle. Replays clearly showed Cane had made initial contact with the shoulder – a penalty offence at best.
It was another example of a bigger pressing issue in World Rugby, and the governing body must now be in serious discussions about ‘taking another look’ at the rulebook.
Final Score: Chiefs 17 Stormers 11
The Stormers got themselves to within a single point with 20-minutes to play (12-11), and the game had really turned on its head since Cane had been off the field.
SP Marais missed the chance to put the Stormers into the lead, pushing his kick at goal wide of the posts. With just five-minutes on the clock, Aaron Cruden spotted replacement winger Shaun Stevenson free out wide, and the Chiefs young gun scored the match winner.
“Main photo credit”
