Hurricanes vs Chiefs

Coach Clayton McMillan says they'll have to lift to another level. Kickoff's at 3:35 pm. SUPER RUGBY COVERAGE WITH EMPLOYMENT HERO. THE SMARTER WAY TO MANAGE HR ...

The Hurricanes and the Chiefs meet in the final match of round seven on Sunday at Sky Stadium, Wellington as both sides look to…

If the Chiefs are frustrated after their last performance, the Canes will be absolutely devastated. Unfortunately they will have to try and do it without key lock Brodie Retallick who is out for six to eight weeks with a broken thumb. Join The Roar for live scores from 12:35pm AEDT.

A changed backline sees All Blacks fullback starting at second five-eighths with Ruben Love at fullback, and Billy Proctor preferred at centre. Coach Jason ...

They carried a 15-13 lead into halftime but they softened up and let the Chiefs take the lead in the second. Giving away six penalties in a row midway ...

Had a good kick-chase that resulted in a penalty won with his effort at the ruck. Missed a developing opportunity with Garden-Bachop running a play out the back during phase play in the first half. Looked to play for more field position late in the first half as the Hurricanes got a little sloppy. In the second half, he finished his only opportunity by crashing over in the corner. Other than that, had a quiet game overall as the Hurricanes’ discipline imploded in the second half. Took a quick tap and scored an incredible try with the Chiefs napping with seven minutes to go. Applied pressure at many Chiefs breakdowns but gave away a penalty right on half-time to allow the Chiefs three points and close the gap to two. Forced a key turnover 10 minutes into the second half with a counter ruck as the Chiefs looked to exit. Looked promising with ball in hand multiple times on the right hand side. Just didn’t have much impact at all and you have to think the Hurricanes need to try a new 6. Lifted his impact on defence late in the second half and finished with some strong carries. Held firm on the first Hurricanes scrum but began to wilt after that.

The Hurricanes halfback overtook the great Christian Cullen to claim his franchise's record, but the Chiefs had the final say in Wellington.

Howlett is the top All Blacks try scorer with 49 in 62 Tests. Ardie's try, from a quick penalty tap, surprised everyone, not least the Chiefs' defence. Cullen’s record has stood since 2003, the year he left the Hurricanes to join Munster in Ireland.

Week by week, Josh Ioane's decision to move north looks more like a masterstroke.

However, two big defensive plays followed by a 50/22 from Bryn Gatland relieved the Chiefs of all pressure and they were able to close out the win. With eight points between the teams inside the final 10 minutes, the game was well and truly on – and Ardie Savea caught the Chiefs napping with a quick tap from a penalty on the Chiefs' 22. After the Chiefs settled things down with a penalty goal, the game followed suit. It certainly didn't deter the Chiefs from their game plan, however. One of the best attacking weapons at the back of the scrum in world rugby, Ardie Savea showed it wasn't just his ball running to be wary of. A second long pass in quick succession from Ioane was easy pickings for veteran halfback TJ Perenara, who picked it off with ease and bolted away to score his 57th Hurricanes try and become the team's all-time leading try scorer.

[Source: Chiefs/twitter]. Fiji-born Pita Gus Sowakula set up a try for the Chiefs in their thrilling 30-29 victory over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific ...