Chiefs beat Hurricanes 28-27 as Damian McKenzie's kicking proves difference
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 23/04/16 1:15pm
Damian McKenzie proved the difference maker as the Chiefs edged past the Hurricanes 28-27 in Wellington.
McKenzie has been backed as a future All Black and he showed off his potential with a fine kicking display in breezy conditions, while also being at the heart of two of their tries as he won a personal battle with Hurricanes fly-half Beauden Barrett.
Indeed Barrett was left to count the cost of a poor series of kicks as he missed five of his six shots at goal in a game that was not settled until nearly the final phase of play.
His day had started on a positive note with a superb dummy through the Chiefs line setting up Cory Jane for the game's opening try, but a missed conversion would not prove to be Barrett's last of the day.
Barrett was beaten by Seta Tamanivalu as the Chiefs took the lead with a try in the 10th minute, and they moved 14-8 ahead when the Fiji winger scored his second try just as the first quarter came to an end.
Dane Coles responded straight away for Wellington with a try, this time Barrett managing to beat the wind and convert, but he missed a simple penalty just before half-time to leave the Hurricanes with a slim 15-14 lead.
Michael Leitch barged his way over from close range to restore Waikato's lead four minutes after the break, but again the Hurricanes reaction was quick as Coles set up TJ Perenara to touch down.
Takeni Sau made it three tries in five breathless minutes as the Chiefs moved 28-20 in front, McKenzie hitting his fourth conversion, a kick that would prove vital in the final reckoning.
Barrett scored a sensational try with 12 minutes remaining to cut the deficit to three, with Jason Woodward replacing him on kicking duties and hitting the conversion to make it 28-27.
But it would be a Woodward error that eventually cost the Hurricanes victory, as he dropped a Barrett pass with the try line at his mercy in the final minute for a score that would surely have won an exciting game for the home side.