Sky Super Rugby Transtasman: Chiefs complete NZ sweep after holding off Force

Chiefs 20 Force 19
A 14-man Chiefs side held off a late run by the Western Force to complete a New Zealand sweep over their Aussie counterparts in the opening round of Sky Super Rugby Transtasman.

The Chiefs held a comfortable 20-7 lead when Luke Jacobson was sent off for a second yellow card offence in the 66th minute. The home side quickly responded with a try to former Chief and All Black Richard Kahui to close the gap to six setting up a thrilling final 10 minutes.

The Chiefs held the ball on their own five metre line with five seconds to play only to knock it on and give the Force a chance to steal the match. Argentinian substitute Domingo Miotti then broke the line to score seconds later in injury time to make it a one-point game.

Miotti then lined up the game-winning conversion attempt out wide, six metres from the sideline, only to kick it across the face of the goal posts.

Round one recap:
Highlanders storm home to thrash Reds in opener
Hurricanes beat Waratahs in wild 112-point clash
Crusaders cling on to edge Brumbies
Brilliant Blues run riot in big win over Rebels

It was a fortunate escape for the Chiefs who spent nearly 10 minutes with 13 men when both Anton Lienert-Brown and Jacobson were yellow-carded within a minute of each other just before halftime.

Jacobson’s offence led to a penalty try as a double whammy for the Chiefs as the Force made it 10-7 at the break.

With ill-discipline and poor handling letting them down, it wasn’t the greatest effort by the Chiefs who flew to Perth after losing the Super Rugby Aotearoa final last Saturday.

It probably seemed fitting the Chiefs were saved by a missed conversion at the end with Damian McKenzie also have an off night from the tee, with three unsuccessful attempts keeping the Force close enough to give them a chance for victory.

The Force are the only Australian team to claim a bonus point for losing within seven points, and sit the best of their sides in sixth behind the Chiefs.

Chiefs 20 (Alex Nankivell, Nathan Harris, Jonah Lowe tries, Damian McKenzie pen, con.)
Force 19(Penalty try, Richard Kahui, Domingo Miotti tries, Miotti con.)
HT: 10-7

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