Posted March 15, 2015 09:35:43
All Blacks fly half Aaron Cruden contributed 18 points as the Chiefs fought back to defeat the Stormers 28-19 on Sunday (AEDT) at Newlands.
Cruden scored the first of the Chiefs' three tries and kicked two conversions and three penalties from seven shots at goal before a 42,000 Cape Town crowd.
SCOREBOARD: STO 19-28 CHI
|
19-28 |
|
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at Newlands, March 14 2015 |
4 |
Pens conceded |
3 |
48% |
Time in opp half |
52% |
55% |
Possession |
45% |
13 |
Turnovers |
10 |
Stormers: K van Wyk try; K Coleman 1 con, 4/5 pens
Chiefs: A Cruden, J Lowe, S Cane tries; A Cruden 2/3 cons, 3/4 pens
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View full stats sheet
Left-wing James Lowe and flank Sam Cane were the other try scorers for the New Zealanders, who trailed 13-3 midway through the opening half at a near-full, sun-drenched stadium.
Stormers, suffering their first defeat of the season after four victories, managed only one try with right-wing Kobus van Wyk going over.
Fly half Kurt Coleman slotted a conversion and three penalties from five kicks at the posts and his second-half replacement, Demetri Catrakilis, kicked his only penalty attempt.
The outcome did not alter the combined standings, though, with Stormers remaining third and two-time champions Chiefs fourth.
Stormers exerted fierce early pressure on Chiefs at the scrums, pushing the New Zealanders back metres.
And when a clever off-load from centre Damian de Allende sent Van Wyk over in his first appearance this season, a 10-point gap opened.
But if Chiefs could not match Stormers' musclemen until well into the second half, they were far more dangerous than the South Africans with ball in hand.
Cruden crossed the try-line on 27 minutes after great work from right wing Bryce Heem and by half-time the Stormers were only 16-13 ahead.
Slick, imaginative handling led to Chiefs' second try on 48 minutes with Cruden giving the scoring pass to Lowe.
A Catrakilis penalty brought the South Africans within four points before Cane dotted down in the corner nine minutes from time after impressive centre Tim Nanai-Williams had been held up.
Stormers fluffed a late chance to narrow the deficit and secure a losing bonus point when they surrendered possession close to the Chiefs' try-line.
The Chiefs face the Sharks in Durban next Sunday (AEDT) while the Stormers have a bye before a four-match Australasian tour.
AFP
Topics: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa, new-zealand