Suaalii-inspired Waratahs topple Chiefs, Crusaders go top in Super Rugby

SYDNEY :Wallabies back Joseph Suaalii inspired the New South Wales Waratahs to a stunning 21-14 win over the Waikato Chiefs in round nine of Super Rugby Pacific, a result that allowed the Canterbury Crusaders to go top of the standings.

The 14-times champion Crusaders had clung on to hand Wellington Hurricanes a 31-24 defeat in the opening clash of the weekend on Friday which took them above the Chiefs into pole position.

The Queensland Reds could have joined the Crusaders on 28 points with a bonus-point win over the ACT Brumbies in Brisbane on Saturday but were outmuscled 39-26 by the Canberra-based visitors in wet conditions at Lang Park.

The Brumbies scored five of their six tries through forwards from close range, two from hooker Billy Pollard off rolling mauls, as they secured a fourth straight win over the Reds.

The gritty victory moved the Brumbies into third place in the table on 23 points, above the Reds only on points difference, four behind the Chiefs and two clear of the fifth-placed Waratahs.

In Friday's incident packed second game, fullback Suaalii scored his first Super Rugby try with a superb individual effort and played a part in a brilliant 101-metre try for Teddy Wilson that gave the Waratahs a 21-7 lead just after halftime.

Visiting flanker Samipeni Finau crashed over in the 52nd minute to cut the deficit but the Waratahs, roared on by the crowd, showed steely resolution in defence to hold on for a first win over the Chiefs since 2016.

"We've come out hard in the first half and then we've put on that performance in defence in the second half," Suaalii said at Sydney Football Stadium.

"We haven't lost yet here, and we're making it very hard for teams to come across and win."

THRILLING CHAPTER

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