Super Rugby: Chiefs hold off Rebels after making fast start
Gareth Anscombe kicked 17 points as the Chiefs held off a brave comeback bid from the Rebels to win 22-16 in Hamilton.
Last Updated: 12/04/14 11:47am
Gareth Anscombe kicked 17 points, including converting Michael Fitzgerald's 15th-minute try as the Chiefs eased into a 19-0 lead in the first half.
However the Rebels recovered to make what looked like a one-sided match a serious contest going into the closing stages.
Jason Woodward knocked over three penalties and a conversion for the visitors, though he was off target with a 72nd-minute penalty that would have cut the gap to three points.
Anscombe had put the Chiefs ahead with a penalty in the second minute after the Rebels infringed at a ruck before he added another shortly after.
The Rebels' indiscipline cost them again in the 12th minute as Anscombe stretched the home side's lead with another penalty score before Fitzgerald drove over for his first try for the franchise.
Substantial lead
It put the Chiefs into a substantial lead but the Rebels hit back with two Woodward penalties to leave the score at 19-6 at the break.
The Melbourne franchise were quickly back to within six points of their hosts thanks to Shota Horie's 45th-minute try.
Woodward slotted the conversion to put his side right back in the game, but a yellow card for Scott Higginbotham in the 55th minute for an infringement on his line saw the Rebels reduced to 14.
Anscombe capitalised with a penalty soon after and although Woodward was successful with another attempt off the kicking tee to keep the Rebels in the clash, the Chiefs held on to secure the victory.
