Chiefs rediscover dominance with spectacular win over Drua; Brumbies break 11-year curse in Dunedin

The Waikato Chiefs bounced back to form, overpowering the Fijian Drua 46-29 in an electrifying clash on Saturday. Meanwhile, the ACT Brumbies ended an 11-year dry spell in Dunedin with a gritty comeback against the Otago Highlanders.

Led by the brilliance of All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie, the Chiefs stamped their authority with six scintillating tries to the Drua’s four. McKenzie’s virtuoso performance, complemented by a flawless kicking display, orchestrated the Chiefs’ resurgence, propelling them to third place in the standings.

Despite an early surge from the Drua, who capitalized on the momentum from their recent upset victory over the Canterbury Crusaders, the Chiefs showcased their mettle, pulling away in the second half.

Flanker Kaylum Boshier’s brace and McKenzie’s dynamic contributions highlighted the Chiefs’ offensive onslaught, leaving the Drua reeling.

Reflecting on the match, Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson expressed satisfaction with his team’s ability to unleash their attacking arsenal when it mattered most.

“It’s awesome when we can get some of those plays to come off — it’s pretty nice to watch,” remarked Jacobson, acknowledging the potency of their backline.

In a parallel narrative, the Brumbies scripted their own tale of redemption, staging a remarkable comeback to overcome the Highlanders 27-21.

Trailing at halftime, the Brumbies exhibited resilience and determination, with Corey Toole and Lachlan Lonergan spearheading their second-half resurgence.

Coach Stephen Larkham hailed his team’s resurgence and identified a burgeoning resurgence among Australian teams.

“The Reds have been impressive, and I think the Australian teams are starting to get on a bit of a roll,” Larkham commented, hinting at a potential resurgence in Australian rugby.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, the Auckland Blues narrowly escaped with a 12-10 victory over the NSW Waratahs, surviving a late scare from the spirited hosts.

Despite dominating territory for much of the match, the Blues faced a late resurgence from the Waratahs, with a debutant try from Jay Fonokalafi setting up a tense finale.

With the Chiefs and Brumbies reigniting their campaigns with emphatic victories, and the Blues clinging onto their fourth-place position, the Super Rugby Pacific competition promises more thrilling encounters as teams jostle for supremacy atop the standings.