Chiefs launch sensational fightback to end win drought

The Chiefs produced a sensational come-from-behind performance to claim a first Super Rugby win in over a year as they defeated the Hurricanes 35-29 at Sky Stadium on Saturday.

Trailing 26-7 at half-time after an action-packed opening 20 minutes, the Chiefs scored four second-half tries to claim a brilliant victory led by full-back Damian McKenzie.

It meant the Chiefs ended a run of 11 straight defeats against New Zealand franchises, while it was also their first triumph of any kind since overcoming the Waratahs on March 6 last year.

Coming into the game, both sides were winless in the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season after two matches, and the Hurricanes scored four first-half tries to appear in total control.

However, the Chiefs responded with a second-half display that left the hosts shellshocked in Wellington, with Luke Jacobson crossing for the decisive try with five minutes to play.

The Hurricanes got the jump on the Chiefs in the 11th minute when Jordie Barrett broke and passed for Luke Campbell to cross on his starting debut, with Barrett making the conversion.

The visitors immediately responded with Kaleb Trask going under the posts two minutes later with McKenzie converting.

The action-packed opening 20 minutes continued with Ricky Riccitelli scoring out wide for the Hurricanes to make it 12-7.

The Hurricanes went further ahead when Ngani Laumape's wide kick found Salesi Rayasi who showed strength to get down for another try that Barrett converted.

This is insane from McKenzie and Tiatia. WOW! pic.twitter.com/Tz5fxO6cx2

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) March 20, 2021

Rayasi got his second shortly prior to half-time to give the Hurricanes a strong advantage at the interval.

McKenzie was denied a try early in the second half by the TMO before the Chiefs started their rally with Chase Tiatia's 56th-minute try.

Shortly after, McKenzie led a break and released Tiatia who combined with Samipeni Finau before scrum-half Brad Weber crossed.

The comeback continued in the 66th minute when Naitoa Ah Kuoi was pushed over the line. McKenzie added the extras to put the Chiefs ahead 28-26.

Barrett stopped the Chiefs' scoring run with a monster penalty goal to restore their lead at 29-28.

But the Chiefs touched down again with five minutes to play when Jacobson crashed over the line, before McKenzie again kicked accurately to seal a stunning win.

In Super Rugby AU later in the day, the Reds beat the Western Force 26-19 in an entertaining contest to extend their 100 per cent start to the season and go top of the table.

The Reds had the greater momentum for much of the first half, with Hunter Paisami in particularly fine form when going over for their second try of the game, leaving the Force defence in his wake.

The Force steadied themselves after that and went into the break just one point down at 14-13 after Feleti Kaitu'u touched down and then Jake McIntyre succeeded with a penalty.

Proceedings were tight for much of the second period as well, the two sides trading blows until wonderful play by Suliasi Vunivalu set up Jock Campbell for a try 11 minutes from time and that clinched the victory, with the Force unable to mount a late response.