Chiefs crush Moana Pasifika in 'ruthless' display, secure top spot in Super Rugby Pacific

"They were just ruthless," is all Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea could muster following their crushing defeat to the Chiefs, 85-7, in Hamilton on Saturday night.

The competition's Player of the Year has been inspirational for Moana throughout this season, delivering one of the best individual performances in Super Rugby history against the Blues last week.

All Blacks back-row star Savea and his team went into the game to cement their finals hopes, but a blistering Chiefs attack stopped that.

It was a different story for the All Blacks star against the Chiefs, as he battled to get going and was kept in check by the home side’s defence, especially in the opening half when he was anonymous throughout.

Chiefs' winger Leroy Carter and scrumhalf Cortez Ratima finished the game with hat-tricks as they were dominant from the game's early moments.

From the outset, Tana Umaga’s men in white were on the back foot. While the Chiefs were dominant for the entire match, the visitors were their own worst enemy for long periods due to their ill-discipline.

Shaun Stevenson opened the scoring in the eighth minute, cruising over the line for a five-pointer to set the tempo for the rest of the game.

With the Chiefs holding a 7-0 lead, Pellegrini was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous hit to Emoni Narawa’s face. While Moana’s flyhalf was off the field, the home side crossed for two tries, which meant the visitors were always playing catch-up after that.

Lock Tupou Vaa’i crossed shortly afterwards before the hosts kicked into gear. Ratima and Damian McKenzie crossed alongside centre Quinn Tupaea as they took a 31-0 lead into the break.

Just before halftime, Moana were reduced to 14 men again when the Chiefs were awarded a penalty, and Sam Slade slapped the ball out of Ratima’s hands as he tried to play quickly.

It was a similar story during Slade’s time in the sin bin as the hosts scored two more tries.

While none of their other players were sent off after that, Moana’s poor discipline continued to haunt them. They eventually conceded 16 penalties over the 80 minutes, while their opponents were only penalised four times.

With the Chiefs holding a 38-0 lead early in the second half, the visitors needed a response, and Savea did just that, crossing for their only try from close quarters in the 49th minute.

Savea tried to inspire a comeback with a try in the 48th minute. Despite that try, Savea wasn’t on the field for much longer as Ola Tauelangi replaced him in the 53rd minute.

Savea finished the match with a paltry two metres gained, and the Chiefs will be delighted that they managed to neutralise him during his time on the field.

Chiefs celebrate a try against Moana Pasifika. Photo/photosport

The Chiefs continued their onslaught as Carter blitzed the opposition. The winger scored three tries in 16 minutes to blow the result out of reach for the visitors.

Ratima added two quick tries to complete his hat-trick as the Chiefs marched to victory. Daniel Rona scored in the 74th minute as the Chiefs leapfrogged the Crusaders and Brumbies to top spot.

A penalty try sealed what was a near-perfect performance for the Chiefs, who are guaranteed a top-two finish.

The Chiefs’ reserves continued with the good work of the players they replaced, with Samipeni Finau and Josh Jacomb bringing plenty of energy off the bench. The Chiefs' back-up front row of Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, and Lord continued with the good work of the players they replaced in the tight phases. 

The hosts scored 13 tries to the visitors' one.

In a post-match interview on Sky Sport, Savea lamented his side's loss, saying the Chiefs did not let them get into their game. But first, he thanked God: "We give glory to Him, whether we win or we lose, we give thanks for the opportunity to be here.

"It was a tough night. You've got to give credit to the Chiefs. They were just ruthless tonight, and we couldn't get out of it."

Moana Pasifika need a win against the Hurricanes in the last round of games next weekend and hope other results go their way for a first finals appearance.

The Chiefs will face the Highlanders in Dunedin to finish the regular season. With a win, the minor premiership will be wrapped up.

Chiefs 85 (Tries: Carter 3, Ratima 3, Vaa'i, Stevenson, Taukei'aho, McKenzie, Tupaea, Penalty Try, Rona; Cons: McKenzie 9) def Moana Pasifika 7 (Tries: Savea; Cons: Pellegrini)

In other Round 15 results: Crusaders 15-12 Highlanders, Hurricanes 31-27 Reds, Waratahs 22-17 Force

Looking ahead: Friday - Highlanders/Chiefs, Brumbies/Crusaders; Saturday: Blues-Waratahs, Hurricanes-Moana Pasifika, Reds-Drua