Chiefs too good for Reds
The Chiefs led the Reds 31-0 just after half-time but two Samu Kerevi tries meant they needed a Samisoni Taukei'aho try in the fifth minute of added time to claim the bonus point.
It was the 35th straight win by New Zealand teams over Australian opposition and leaves the Reds in fourth spot in the Australian conference.
The Chiefs lost fly-half dynamo Damian McKenzie with a head knock midway through the first half but were always in command of the Brisbane game, scoring five tries to two.
"We were really stoked to get that bonus point right there at the end but it was very tough. It would have been nice to kick on after that first 25 minutes," Chiefs skipper Sam Kane said.
Veteran open-side flank George Smith made his first appearance of the season for the Reds as a substitute after December back surgery.
The result completed a dismal 24 hours for Australian rugby after the Waratahs were held scoreless for the first time in a 0-29 loss to South Africa's Lions in Sydney on Friday.
Damian Mckenzie opened the scoring with a penalty before Tyler Ardron scored the Chiefs' first try in the 12th minute.
A few minutes later Charlie Ngatai ran a great line on his way to score his team's second try before big lock Brodie Retallick added a third before the half-hour mark.
At half-time, the Chiefs led 24-0.
It was more of the same in the second half with Chiefs hooker Liam Polwart running in for a try in the opening stages.
The Reds finally got their first points of the game after 47 minutes when Kerevi went over for his first try of the game.
The game then went into a lengthy period without any points before Kerevi got his second try with five minutes left on the clock.
The Chiefs who had the final say when Taukei'aho went over for a score before the full-time whistle.
Man of the match: Samu Kerevi was the pick of the bunch for the Reds with his strong showing on attack which included two tries. For the Chiefs, hooker Liam Polwart impressed in open play and he scored a try as well. Locks Tyler Ardron and Brodie Retallick continued their fine form, while wing Solomon Alaimalo was elusive with ball in hand again. However, our award goes to Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who unlocked the Reds' defence on a number of occasions. He was also a key man in the Chiefs' defensive organisation.
The scorers:
For Reds:
Tries: Kerevi 2
Con: Lance
For Chiefs:
Tries: Ardron, Ngatai, Retallick, Polwart, Taukei'aho
Cons: D McKenzie 2, M McKenzie 2
Pen: D McKenzie
Teams:
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Izaia Perese, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 George Smith, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Jordan Petaia.
Chiefs: 15 Charlie Ngatai (co-captain), 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Fa'auli, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Liam Polwart, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nicholas Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
AFP & @rugby365com
