WATCH: Shaun Stevenson turns to creator in CRUCIAL Chiefs try against Reds
Prolific Chiefs full-back Shaun Stevenson produced a moment of brilliance to create a try that wing Emoni Narawa finished in the Waikato side’s tight 29-20 win in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals.
It had been a difficult first half for the Chiefs who had everything thrown at them by the Reds and the hosts needed something on the stroke of half-time to swing the momentum.
The Chiefs were attacking down the right-hand side just outside the Reds‘ 22 as Damian McKenzie played a forward runner who popped it out the back – the pass was well disguised opening a small gap for Stevenson, who obliged.
The speedster found some space before several cover defenders closed that down. However, the full-back flung a long pass out wide to the left wing where Narawa was waiting and as he claimed the ball he pinned back his ears and scored in the corner.
It was one of the key plays in the game that kept the Chiefs in control.
The Chiefs hit back and take the lead with a spectacular set! 🔥
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Erarlier, it was the Reds who opened the scoring through former rugby league star Suliasi Vunivalu in the ninth minute as fly-half Tom Lynagh failed to convert.
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The game was cagey after the opening score and the Chiefs stole the lead back through three Damian McKenzie penalties in the 19th, 23rd and 31st minutes.
That was until the relentless carrying Harry Wilson found his way over the line in the 35th minute, after sustained pressure from his side. Lynagh was not accurate with his conversion attempt for the second time. Shortly afterwards, the Reds’ lead was snatched away once again, this time with Narawa’s try as McKenzie added the extras.
The tight clash continued as cagey as ever into the second period with a 49th-minute McKenzie penalty being cancelled out by one from Lynagh three minutes later.
The visitors desperately worked to get back in the game and did so through Vunivalu who completed his brace on the hour mark to electrify the clash. Lynagh did the job from the tee on this occasion.
It was tight and tense heading into the final 10 minutes after a McKenzie penalty and it was all said and done after robust number eight Pita Gus Sowakula crossed for a converted Chiefs try with only four minutes to play.
The quarter-final was a brilliant clash but the favourites march on to the semi-finals.
Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific