Chiefs scrum-half Cortez Ratima emerged as a standout player as Waikato’s team dominated the Western Force with a commanding 56-7 victory in Super Rugby Pacific action over the weekend.
The home team showcased their attacking prowess by scoring nine tries, with winger Daniel Rona securing a hat-trick. Other try-scorers included Emoni Narawa, Damian McKenzie, Tupou Vaa’i, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson, and Josh Ioane. McKenzie’s accurate kicking added to the Chiefs’ points tally with four conversions and a penalty, totaling 16 points.
Although the Western Force managed to secure a penalty try before halftime, they struggled to make further impact on the scoreboard.
The Chiefs displayed sportsmanship by opting to take an early penalty, converted by McKenzie, setting the tone for their dominant performance.
Narawa and Rona made significant contributions early on, followed by Vaa’i’s try just before the half-hour mark. Despite the Force scoring their only points in the 36th minute, the Chiefs maintained control.
After halftime, the Chiefs continued their dominance with Slater scoring early. Despite the Force’s attempts to regroup, the Chiefs sealed their victory with late tries from Thompson and Ioane, asserting their strength to the competition.
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Chiefs:
– Starting: Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Kaylum Boshier (c), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross
– Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Kauvaka Kaivelata, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane
Force:
– Starting: Kurtley Beale, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jeremy Williams (c), Tom Franklin, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Josh Bartlett
– Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
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