It wasn’t all one-way traffic though with the Hurricanes putting plenty of pressure on Scott Robertson’s side and crossing for four tries of their own in a high-octane 42-32 encounter.
The Chiefs also laid an early season marker with a finely tuned display to subdue the Highlanders 26-16 in Queenstown.
In Australia, the Brumbies avoided an upset loss when scoring in the last minute to beat the Force 29-23 in Canberra.
RESULTS WRAP:
Moana Pasifika vs Blues: postponed.
Chiefs 26, Highlanders 16
Two stalwarts of the Chiefs marked their return to the side with decisive plays in their 26-16 win over the Highlanders in Queenstown. Flanker Sam Cane was in perfect position after a break by halfback Xavier Roe with second five-eighths Alex Nankivell on hand to feed the ball to Cane who went in under the posts. After No8 Pita-Gus Sowakula pulled off a clever blindside try from a five-metre scrum just before halftime, it was lock Brodie Retallick out among the outside backs who executed a perfect reverse pass for fullback Emoni Narawa to put the Chiefs out of reach for the home side.
Chiefs 26 (Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Emoni Narawa tries; Josh Ioane con, 2 pen; Bryn Gatland pen) Highlanders 16 (Daniel Lienert-Brown try; Mitch Hunt con, 3 pen). HT: 18-6
Crusaders 42 Hurricanes 32
Taking opportunities when they are available has always been the requirement when playing the Crusaders and it was a harsh lesson rammed home against the Hurricanes who lost 32-42 in Dunedin. Hooker Asafo Aumua was denied a try due to a double movement in the first half and, in the second-half loose forward Ardie Savea had a spectacular solo try ruled out when a knock-on earlier in the movement was called. The Crusaders were untidy during the first half, conceding too many penalties which resulted in prop Oli Jager being sin-binned. Yet, the power of wing Leicester Fainga'anuku saw him complete a hat-trick of tries with replacement hooker Shilo Klein also getting over. A penalty try conceded by the Hurricanes also didn't help their cause.
Crusaders 42 (Leicester Fainga'anuku 3, Shilo Klein tries; penalty try; Fergus Burke 2 con, 3 pen; Simon Hickey con) Hurricanes 32 (Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Jordie Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop tries; Barrett 3 con, 2 pen). HT: 15-13
Australian Leg:
The Waratahs put paid to a losing streak that began in August 2020 when demonstrating the realities of Super Rugby to the Fijian Drua in their debut game. Forward dominance, especially at the scrum, contained the attacking instincts of the Drua and laid the foundation for the 10-10 victory. But it was also the strength of their defence, where they conceded fewest points since 2016, that the Waratahs hinted at a turn in their fortunes.
In Brisbane, the Reds took their chances against a Rebels who chased try-scoring opportunities when points from penalty goals were offered. But they had little reward and it was the home team that shone in the wet, their winning margin boosted by a last-minute try to fullback Jock Campbell. Prop Taniela Tupou scored the first for the Reds, his 22nd try in 79 appearances for the side.
Two former Chiefs, wings Richard Kahui and Toni Pulu offered Force fans the possibility of an upset in Canberra when combining in a try that took them to a 16-10 lead five minutes into the second half. But a botched clearing kick allowed the Brumbies to recover immediately with a driving maul try. However, the Force came back late in the game and led 23-22 with three minutes left. But a failed touch finder from the restart gave the Brumbies the opening and they took it to score.
Waratahs 40 (Will Harris, Dave Porecki, Lalakai Foketi, Angus Bell, Jake Gordon tries; Ben Donaldson 3 con, 3 pen) Fijian Drua 10 (Nemani Nagusa try; Nagusa con; Baden Kerr pen). HT: 21-3
Reds 23 (Taniela Tupou, Harry Wilson, Brad Wilkins, Jock Campbell tries; James O'Connor con, 2 pen) Rebels 5 (Brad Wilkin try). HT: 13-5
Brumbies 29 (Tom Wright, Folau Fainga'a, Rory Scott, Lachlan Lonergan tries; Noah Lolesio 3 con, pen) Force 23 (Toni Pulu, Jake McIntyre tries; Ian Prior con, 3 pen; McIntyre con). HT: 10-9