View photosKEY POINTS:
The Brendon Leonard show came to Hamilton today as the Chiefs and Western Force entertained the Waikato Stadium rugby fans with 100 points in their Super 14 match.
Replacement halfback Leonard and winger Roy Kinikinilau scored three tries each in the Chiefs' 64-36 victory that made them semifinal
contenders again.
The Chiefs scored nine tries to five, with both teams earning a bonus point each.
However, it wasn't a memorable return to New Zealand for former Waikato and All Blacks coach John Mitchell, whose team conceded 117 points in two matches following their 0-53 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend.
Leonard, who has been in the shadows of All Black Byron Kelleher since he made the Waikato provincial team in 2005, became an instant hit with the Mooloo fans today.
Within minutes of replacing Kelleher, who received a nasty blow to his nose, he scored in the 31st minute and helped the Chiefs lead 29-15 at halftime.
His nifty footwork and determined runs saw him cross the line twice more in the second half as both teams moved the ball wide, often with both the backs and forwards contributing in support play.
The Chiefs' defence and tidier work in the contact area won them the game, while the Force's defence weakened as the game progressed.
They scored two fine tries at the start of both halves, the first by captain Nathan Sharpe and the second by their star first five-eighth Matt Giteau, displaying patience and ability to outflank the Chiefs' defence by moving the ball around.
In between Giteau scored a second try with Cameron Shepherd and Drew Mitchell adding five-pointers.
But third tries to Kinikinilau and Leonard in the last nine minutes and Stephen Donald's accurate boots took the score past the 50 mark against them.
Winger Lelia Masaga, flanker Tanerau Latimer, who had stepped in for veteran Marty Holah, and midfield back Tasese Lavea scored the Chiefs' other tries.
Donald kicked 19 points from three penalties and five conversions.
Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes said he was impressed with the way the Force started and that his team were struggling in the first 10 minutes when the Australians moved the ball and supported the ball carrier.
He said his team needed to work harder on defence.
"I don't think the other teams we'll face in the last few rounds will allow us as many opportunities to attack as we got out there today," he said.
He felt Leonard took his chances well and injected some power into their attack from the base of the scrum and rucks when he came on.
The Chiefs face the Sharks, the Waratahs and Crusaders in the last three rounds of the competition while the Force, still in with a semifinal chance, have the Brumbies. the Cheetahs and Blues to contend with.
Chiefs 64 (Roy Kinikinilau 3, Brendon Leonard 3, Tanerau Latimer, Tasese Lavea, Lelia Masaga tries; Stephen Donald 3 pen, 5 con), Western Force 36 (Matt Giteau 2, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell tries; Giteau pen, 4 con). Halftime: 29-15.
- NZPA