Chiefs hit the hard shoulder

Chiefs 26 Bulls 26

It was supposed to be the start of a golden run for the Chiefs against South African sides but the Bulls had obviously misplaced the script.

After last week's vital 16-13 win over the Highlanders that got them back on the winning trail, Ian Foster's side were expected to make a move up the table with three-straight home games against sides from the Republic.

The Bulls are a good side, probably the best of the five South African teams and were beaten semifinalists last year, but they hadn't defeated the Chiefs in New Zealand in a decade of trying.

They were also dreadful against the Blues last weekend.

With the Chiefs rounding out their campaign against the Hurricanes, Waratahs and Blues, two points from last night's draw did little for their playoff aspirations.

It will also leave talented first five-eighths Stephen Donald with nightmares after landing only four from seven all night, including a dreadful conversion attempt that cannoned off the upright. from just beside the posts. It summed up the Chiefs' season, really.

"Two points is better than none so we live to fight again," Foster said with a shrug of the shoulders. "At this stage if you look at it mathematically that fourth position is still pretty tight. When you look through the draw that some teams have it's still going to be pretty interesting."

The Chiefs might ponder over that draw but they might also have a nervous wait over news of how serious the shoulder injury to Sione Lauaki is. The No 8 fell awkwardly in the 64th minute and shuffled off disconsolately to contemplate a lengthy time on the sidelines.

Foster was unsure of the severity and nature of the injury, but admitted "it's not looking good". "It didn't dislocate but it looks like something serious has gone on," he said. "I have no idea [how serious it is] but I just know it's not a bruise."

It was a pretty bruising encounter, however, befitting a match of great importance. Most people would have expected about as much excitement as being stuck in the lift with the mother-in-law with a forward exchange the order of the day.

But the Bulls took everyone by surprise, in a good way, when they threw the ball around at every opportunity in the first half, turning their back on their normally forward-orientated game.

Sometimes it didn't work but when it did the Bulls were often irresistable and contributed to an extremely fast-paced first half.

Bryan Habana, in particular, was dangerous and was the recipient of a present from Steven Bates, who dished up a pass for Habana to run on to and score under the Chiefs' posts as early as the fourth minute.

The visitors even took quick penalties when the shot was on (yes, you read correctly) and halfback Fourie du Preez scampered in for a first-half try in the corner. Morne Steyn finished off another quick tap when most sides would have taken the three points on offer.

Staggeringly, they had a bonus point in the bag in the 44th minute when Pedrie Wannenburg accepted an invitation to walk through the Red Sea and crashed over.

For their part, the Chiefs didn't take advantage of their own moments of dominance.

They were camped in the Bulls' half for much of the first 20 minutes but had only a Mils Muliaina try and two Stephen Donald penalties to show for it.

Like the Bulls, they often made half-breaks only to lose the ball or take the wrong option when an attack looked promising and would have had no complaints to find themselves down 19-11 at the break and 15 points behind only four minutes later.

But the Chiefs are made of stern stuff these days. Sam Tuitupou got his side back into it with a try from a charge down and Bates rumbled over beside the posts to lock it up with 11 minutes left to play.

It was the Chiefs who looked the more likely side but they were their own worst enemies as passes were dropped, possession was kicked away and needless turnovers were committed.

They battered away and Loki Crichton attempted a drop-kick with the last play of the game but it drifted harmlessly wide.

At the end a number of Chiefs players dropped to the ground while the Bulls congratulated themselves on a job well done.

The Chiefs knew what it meant to their season and they now know they ought to bring in Sir Edmund Hillary to explain to them how to climb mountains - big mountains.

Chiefs 26 (M. Muliaina, S. Tuitupou, S. Bates tries; S. Donald 3 pens, con).
Bulls 26 (B. Habana, F. du Preez, M. Steyn, P. Wannenburg tries; M. Steyn 3 cons).

-HERALD ON SUNDAY