HAMILTON — Waikato Chiefs showed the resilience and explosive talent that took them to last season's Super Rugby title by weathering a Cheetahs storm and running in six tries to beat the South African side 45-3 in Hamilton Saturday. The Cheetahs dominated first-half territory and possession but Johan Goosen missed three shots at goal and the Chiefs led 10-3 at the interval through Liam Messam's try. The Chiefs stretched their lead early in the second period through Ben Afeaki before Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Marshall and Ben Tameifuna touched down against the tiring Cheetahs to secure a second bonus-point win from two matches. Anscombe finished with 20 points, also kicking six conversions and a penalty. "There's nothing like a good telling off at half-time," Messam said. "We got our backs some clean quick ball." In Brisbane, Digby Ioane and Rob Simmons scored Queensland tries and Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper added eight points in the Reds' 18-12 win over the Wellington-based Hurricanes Friday. Beauden Barrett kicked four penalties to provide all of the Hurricanes' points. Conrad Smith was denied a Hurricanes try with less than three minutes to play. The television official ruled there had been a Hurricanes knock-on in the lead up to the play that saw the veteran All Blacks center dot down under the crossbar to set up what would have been an easy conversion kick for the lead. In Auckland, Blues winger Frank Halai scored two tries for the second week in succession as the Auckland team beat the Crusaders 34-15. Halai scored a double on debut last weekend and crossed twice again as the Blues overran the Christchurch club by five tries to nil. — Agencies
