Chiefs beat Highlanders
2005-05-14 12:41
Hamilton - Sitiveni Sivivatu scored three first-half tries as the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 31-8 in a Super 12 rugby match on Saturday, extinguishing the Highlanders' play-off hopes.
Sivivatu lived up to his billing as an All Black in waiting, laying open the Highlanders defence with three pieces of individual brilliance as Chiefs sprinted to a 31-3 halftime lead. The Highlanders had to win the match to remain in playoff contention.
Sivivatu scored his first try after four minutes and Anise scored another after 12. Sivivatu scored again after 15 minutes and for a third time near halftime, after a further try by flanker Sione Lauaki.
"That's the harsh reality of this competition," said Highlanders captain Craig Newby. "Anyone can beat anyone on their night and one loss like that puts you in the middle of the table."
The Highlanders held the Chiefs scoreless throughout the second half as their supply of possession dwindled and Sivivatu's attacking threat waned.
They were able to score only one try of their own, through Newby two minutes from fulltime.
"There was nothing we could do about them in the first half," Newby said. "We tried pretty hard but they just kept spinning it and making the breaks. It was pretty much gone by halftime."
The Chiefs' first-half performance was outstanding and several of their tries were created from set pieces.
Sivivatu's first came when they moved the ball from touchline to touchline, first to the right, then to the left where a long pass from centre David Hill put the Fijian-born winger outside his marker.
A midfield break by Mark Ranby set up the second and Sivivatu took a long pass from halfback Jimmy Cowan before flicking the ball on to Anise who scored.
Anise returned the compliment, setting up the third with a break that drew the defence, passing late to Sivivatu who beat the cover with two giant left-foot sidesteps.
Lauaki dummied and broke through the close defence after relentless pressure and Sivivatu completed his third try in first-half stoppage time, beating two defenders out wide.
"It was pretty awesome just to get up from a ruck and see two really fast guys in the backline going over for a tries in the corner," said Chiefs flanker Marty Holah.
Scores:
Waikato 31 (Sitiveni Sivivatu 3, Sosene Anesi, Sione Lauaki tries; David Hill 3 conversions), Otago Highlanders 8 (Craig Newby try; Nick Evans penalty).
- AP