Rugby: Lomu pep talk transforms Chiefs

By Chris Rattue and NZPA

Giant wing Jonah Lomu was a major influence on and off the field as the Chiefs took out their first Super 12 rugby win of the season, by 16-13 over the ACT Brumbies.

With the Chiefs looking ready to add to their dismal five-loss season when they trailed 3-13 at halftime in Canberra, Lomu led some of the halftime team talk.

"The guys went back into the shed at halftime and we had a good look at ourselves," said Lomu, who took on a role as team motivator at the break.

"We made a promise to go out and put it on the track for the last 40 minutes if we wanted to get anything out of the rest of the season. And we did.

"The guys have to keep their heads up. In this sort of competition the difference isn't much between any two teams, it's often who makes the least mistakes."

Chiefs manager Steve Gilbert said: "It was unusual for Jonah to say so much.

He's normally fairly quiet, although when he does speak out he is very interesting to listen to."

Playing his 100th first-class game, the fired-up Lomu was the Chiefs' most potent attacking weapon and the main thrust behind many of their second-half raids.

Chiefs coach Ross Cooper also stirred up the side at halftime, calling on them to show some pride.

"We've been slated in the press and I think a lot of people were expecting another failure, so we had to put an end to it," said Cooper.

"I was really annoyed with their performance in the first half. There were far too many mistakes and we were only kept in the game by them missing their kicks at goal."

Brumbies fullback Joe Roff, who otherwise produced a quality all-round game, was successful with three kicks at goal but missed three other relatively simple penalties.

For the Chiefs, Glen Jackson nailed two from two, while reliable late replacement Matthew Cooper also kicked two from two, including the penalty that put them in front for the first time with two minutes remaining.

Roff scored the Brumbies' try early in the game, while centre-turned-winger Scott McLeod touched down for the Chiefs' only five-pointer following a powerful burst from Lomu.

In a game that never rose to great heights as a spectacle, the Brumbies' second-half effort was similar to the Chiefs' in the first. They failed to retain possession and made numerous basic mistakes.

The Chiefs' substitutes, loose forwards Nick Holten and Api Naevo, second five-eighths Cooper and hooker Greg Smith, added impetus late in the game. Smith's effort at hooker was especially impressive as he was returning from injury with little training over the last fortnight. He was forced on to the field to replace John Akurangi, who pulled a buttock muscle.

The Chiefs expect Akurangi will be fit for selection against the Hurricanes in New Plymouth on Friday night.

South African referee Johan Meuwesen came under fire from the local crowd, despite awarding 14 penalties to five in favour of the Brumbies.

Many believed he should have awarded a penalty try to ACT midway through the second half for alleged professional fouls by the Chiefs as they defended their line against a series of scrums. Meuwesen also missed an apparent professional foul in the game's final maul when a rampaging Brumbies were camped on the Chiefs' line.

"Everything in the game wasn't of a very good standard and among that the referee will have to have a look at his own performance," said Brumbies coach Eddie Jones.

"The Chiefs contested very well and we just couldn't retain our possession as we've been able to do in the past."

Jones admitted his side would probably have to win their last four games to qualify for the semifinals, and that would be difficult with several leading players on the injury list. ACT particularly missed first five-eighths Stephen Larkham's organisation, while halfback George Gregan was below his best, suffering from a corked thigh.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs plan to call up a backup first five-eighths from the Super 12 pool today.

Fullback Todd Miller (Achilles tendon) has already been ruled out of Friday night's game, while first five Blair Feeney has a long-term shoulder problem.

The leading replacement candidates are Southland's Raymond MacDonald, Wellington's Paul Steinmetz and Counties Manukau's Loki Crichton. An outside contender is veteran former All Black Frano Botica, from North Harbour.

The replacement player is unlikely to figure in Friday night's match, although Cooper is understood to want a player who can cover a few positions.