Super Rugby: Chiefs thrash Reds to go top of table
Last Updated: 08/07/16 1:29pm
The Chiefs hammered the Reds 50-5 in Brisbane to go top of the overall Super Rugby standings.
The eight-try mauling puts the Chiefs above all other teams in the competition, though the Lions could reclaim pole position with a bonus-point win over the struggling Kings on Friday night.
The visitors stretched to a 33-5 half-time lead thanks to scores from Seta Tamanivalu (two), Atunaisa Moli and Sam Cane as well as a penalty try, with Damian McKenzie slotting four out of five conversions.
The 2012 and 2013 champions then added to their tally in the second half as McKenzie crossed twice while hooker Nathan Harris notched a score in the 67th minute.
The Chiefs opened the scoring in the second minute - thanks to a converted try from centre Tamanivalu after a big tackle in midfield forced a turnover - then doubled that lead 10 minutes later when Moli touched down.
The Reds struck back thanks to a Chris Kuridrani try in the corner but that was as good as it got for the disjointed home team, who were rocked when scrum-half Nick Frisby was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball out of Cane's hands as he was in the process of scoring.
Referee Nick Briant awarded a penalty try to the Chiefs for Frisby's indiscretion, then reduced the Reds to 13 men soon thereafter when full-back James Tuttle was sent to the sin bin for a reckless tackle.
In the 10 minutes the two players were off the field the Chiefs scored 19 points, ending the game as a contest.
The visitors lost some momentum in the second half, but with 23 minutes to go they kicked into gear and ran in three tries, with rising star McKenzie scoring two to add to a personal tally of 20 points.
The Chiefs play the Highlanders in their last match of the regular season next week, while the Queenslanders - out of play-off contention - will hope to finish the season on a better note when they host the Rebels.
