Rugby: Chiefs and Hurricanes battle out 18-18 draw

Chiefs and Hurricanes players look dejected as their match ends in an 18-18 draw. Credit:NZPA /...
Chiefs and Hurricanes players look dejected as their match ends in an 18-18 draw. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought.

The battle to avoid the New Zealand conference wooden spoon became no clearer after the Chiefs and Hurricanes drew 18-18 in a Super rugby match at Hamilton tonight.

In a listless contest in wet and slippery conditions between two sides playing only for pride, the teams scored two tries each while goalkickers Stephen Donald, for the Chiefs and Aaron Cruden, for the Hurricanes, returned identical figures of two penalties and a conversion each.

Secure ball handling was at a premium in the difficult conditions and it was left to individuals to produce some of the better moments of the match which descended into a dour struggle right from kickoff with opportunities to score few and far between for both sides.

Fullback Cory Jane, lock Jeremy Thrush, halfback Piri Weepu and wings Hosea Gear and Julian Savea had good games for the Hurricanes while fullback Richard Kahui, lock Isaac Ross, blindside flanker Liam Messam and hooker Hika Elliot were sprightly for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs took the lead when lock Craig Clarke charged down an attempted clearance by Cruden for Kahui to boot on the rebound and win the chase into the scoring zone for the touch down.

Donald converted from in front of the posts and added another penalty minutes later for the Chiefs to lead 10-0 after just eight minutes.

The Hurricanes cut the deficit when they dominated a series of rucks after a lineout for skipper Andrew Hore to burrow through the defence from a maul in the 20th minute.

Cruden missed the conversion and the Chiefs took a 15-5 lead into the break after Ross justified his return to the starting lineup with an unconverted try which was set up by a Donald break after a scrum.

The Hurricanes hit back within minutes of the resumption.

Second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu produced a trademark bust through the Chiefs backs and his off-load found Jane who relayed the ball to Gear for the score.

Cruden converted and then brought up his 100 points for the season with a penalty that tied the scores at 15-15.

Another Donald penalty put the Chiefs in front again but Chiefs replacement hooker Aled de Malmanche gave away a penalty close to the posts which Cruden nailed to again tie the score to set the stage for a tense final 10 minutes in which neither team could create a wining opportunity.

The Hurricanes now have 43 points to the Chiefs' 42 and their fate will be decided when they take on playoffs contenders, the Crusaders and the Reds respectively in next week's final round of the regular season.

 

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