Chiefs see off Reds 27-15 in rain-soaked battle in Hamilton

The Chiefs returned to winning ways with a gritty 27-15 victory over the Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium Waikato, overcoming difficult weather and a determined opposition to reclaim top position in the Super Rugby Pacific standings.

Despite being locked at halftime, the Chiefs’ bench provided the crucial spark in the closing stages of a rain-drenched contest.

It was a sluggish start for both teams under steady drizzle, with ball handling a persistent challenge throughout the opening 40 minutes.

The Chiefs drew first blood in the 12th minute, when captain Luke Jacobson powered over after a sequence of pick-and-go phases. Damian McKenzie added the extras to make it 7-0.

The Reds weren’t rattled and struck back in the 22nd minute through hooker Matt Faessler, who finished off a driving maul from a five-metre lineout. The conversion missed, keeping the Chiefs narrowly ahead at 7-5.

McKenzie extended the lead to 10-5 with a penalty in the 30th minute, but just before the break, the Reds made the most of a Chiefs handling error. Flanker Joe Brial scooped up a loose ball and galloped over untouched in the 40th minute, levelling the match at 10-10 as the teams went into halftime.

The Reds emerged from the sheds with energy and applied early pressure, but the Chiefs’ defense absorbed the assault. A breakdown penalty gave McKenzie another shot at goal in the 55th minute, and he calmly converted to edge the Chiefs back in front at 13-10.

The turning point arrived in the final quarter as the Chiefs unleashed their bench. Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho made an immediate impact, crashing over from close range in the 72nd minute after a series of pick-and-go surges. McKenzie added the conversion to extend the lead to 20-10.

The Reds refused to fade. In the 76th minute, fly-half Tom Lynagh darted over after a quick hands move across the backline, narrowing the deficit to 20-15 and setting up a tense finish.

But the Chiefs weren’t finished. In the 79th minute, replacement halfback Xavier Roe sniped through a tired Reds defense to seal the game with a third second-half try. McKenzie’s final conversion wrapped up the scoring at 27-15, securing the win and a return to the summit of the table.