Livewire wing Kyren Taumoefolau has made the most of his opportunity in the Chiefs’ starting side, scoring a brace in a comfortable 42-14 win over the Waratahs in Hamilton.
The 22-year-old crossed for the first and last tries as the Chiefs controlled proceedings throughout, rarely allowingthe Waratahs a chance to build momentum.
Taumoefolau started on the right wing for the Chiefs’ first two games of the season, but was omitted for several weeks, only returning via the bench last week in their win over the Western Force. Injuries to Damien McKenzie and Etene Nanai-Seturo gave him the opportunity to start on the left edge.
While Taumoefolau impressed in his fourth appearance of the season, the Chiefs’ All Blacks contingent laid the platform, with midfielder Quinn Tupaea influential and loose forward Samipeni Finau outstanding on both sides of the ball.
The Waratahs have not beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton since 2010.
It was a scrappy start from both sides, with errors creeping into the early exchanges, but a simple knock-on from Waratahs playmaker Jack Debreczeni opened the door for the first try.
From the ensuing scrum, Kaylum Boshier broke through and sent Xavier Roe into space, with Roe kicking ahead. Waratahs fullback Sid Harvey failed to gather cleanly under pressure, and Taumoefolau was quickest to react, pouncing to score.
That try settled the Chiefs, who soon extended their lead through a Josh Jacomb penalty.
The Chiefs continued to apply pressure, but the Waratahs’ defence held firm, denying Emoni Narawa on the wing before Roe was held up over the line after a sustained attacking spell.
The hosts eventually broke through after a 13-phase build-up, with Samisoni Taukei’aho burrowing over from close range.
After being starved of possession, the Waratahs finally worked their way into Chiefs territory for the first time since the opening exchanges and were rewarded when Harvey crossed for his first career try.
But just as the Waratahs looked to be building momentum heading into the break, the Chiefs struck again through Tupaea, before another Jacomb penalty stretched the lead to 23-7 at halftime.
The Chiefs picked up where they left off to start the second half, with Tupaea crossing for his second on the back of an impressive leg drive.
Samipeni Finau. Photo / Photosport
Finau then produced the tackle of the match with a crunching hit on Siosifa Amone, which led to a turnover, and the loose forward was later rewarded when he crossed for his side’s fifth try.
Pete Samu hit back for the Waratahs, but by then the result was beyond doubt.
The Chiefs put the icing on the cake when Taumoefolau forced a mistake and raced 60m to score his second.
The result lifts the Chiefs to third in the Super Rugby standings. They could have been overtaken by the Reds if the Queensland team had beaten the Western Force. Instead the visitors stunned the Reds in Brisbane, 42-19.
The Chiefs are back in action next Saturday when they face Moana Pasifika in Rotorua, while the Waratahs have the bye.
