Rugby News Super 14 Chiefs beat Lions
Last updated 22/02/2010 09:00:39
Rugby News Super 14 Chiefs beat Lions
If at first you don't succeed try, try again and if that does not work try, try and try some more! That was the case when the Lions of South Africa entertained (literally!) the Waikato Chiefs in round two of the Super 14 in Johannesburg.
Only the wildest optimist could imagine a top class rugby game producing a staggering 18 tries, it was enough to have coaches around the world burying their heads in the sand and ignoring everybody who wants to talk tactics.
The New Zealand province side trailed 25-17 early in the second half but then countered with 48 unanswered points on their way to a 72-65 victory - the highest-scoring match in Super 14 history.
With a massive total of 137 points for the fans at Coca Cola Park to witness, the teams comfortably beat the previous record of 118, set in Natal's 75-43 win over the Highlanders back in 1997.
The 18 tries scored was also a record, surpassing the 14 touchdowns in the Crusaders' 96-19 victory over the Waratahs in 2002.
But it was not to everyone's satisfaction and for all the entertainment on offer the game was panned by the media with New Zealand newspaper the Sunday Star Times slamming it as a "no-tackle, airy-fairy, 18-try romp".
Man of the match – not counting the man operating the scoreboard – was Stephen Donald who scored 32 points for the Chiefs with a try, nine conversions and three penalties, while his fellow All Black Richard Kahui scored a hat-trick of tries.
"Obviously the defence wasn't 100% tonight," said tongue in the cheek Kahui, with more than a hint of under-statement.
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