3. The Chiefs would have back-to-back draws in South Africa
The Tribe was sitting pretty when they took off for overseas after winning their first three games; especially since they had a last-gasp win against the Crusaders.
But they struck an unexpected snag when the Force beat them on their way to South Africa; so they wanted to get back on track in Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
Bulls v. Chiefs
It didn’t go according to plan against the Bulls because the Chief’s handling let them down too often and they had trouble up front especially against driving mauls from the lineout, and in the scrum.
With eleven minutes to go they were down 15 – 31 but they scored two tries to a penalty to get the score to 27-34. With a minute to go Aaron Cruden went over in the corner attached to two defenders and Gareth Ascombe calmly slotted the conversion from touch to tie the game 34-34.
Bulls v. Chiefs – Chiefs snatched a draw
The Chiefs had scored three tries in ten minutes and five tries to three overall.
That was a good Houdini performance but they would have to start the game against the Cheetahs better because they couldn’t do the same act twice.
Cheetahs v. Chiefs
The Chiefs had another bad start and the Cheetahs were brilliant to lead 34-10 at the break with a bonus point already in the bag. Their scrum and lineout were excellent also.
The Cheetahs had never beaten the Chiefs and it looked like they were going to break their duck.
Cheetahs v. Chiefs – The Tribe did another Houdini act
But the second half was a reverse of the first and the Cheetahs couldn’t get their hands on the pill.
The Chiefs scored four tries to a penalty in the next half hour to get to within one point 36-37.
When Goosen slotted two more penalties the Cheetahs led 43-36; but wouldn’t you know it—the Chiefs played some scintillating rugby and Tim Nanai-Williams scored under the posts in the 82nd minute for the game to end in a tie 43-43.
The Tribe could do the Houdini act twice after all, and in the wash-up of the season those extra four points they earned in drawing two games, instead of losing, enabled them to contest the qualifying final.
