In the final match of the weekend, the Drua were holding their ground until just four minutes before halftime. Chiefs fullback Isaac Hutchinson, making his debut and playing under advantage, kicked the ball for Daniel Sinkinson to pursue.
Sinkinson managed to kick the ball over the tryline, where Drua fullback Ilaisa Droasese appeared to be in control as he went to collect it.
Instead of grounding the ball for a restart, Droasese opted to grubber a kick across his own in-goal area. This allowed Chiefs prop Jared Profitt to seize the opportunity, grounding the ball with his forearm for a try.
Shortly after, the Chiefs scored another try through scrumhalf Cortez Ratima, taking a 28-10 lead into halftime. Further tries from Sinkinson and replacement back Tepaea Cook-Savage in the second half secured a comfortable win.
With this bonus-point victory, the Chiefs matched the Hurricanes’ 36 points but led the standings due to their eight wins compared to the Hurricanes’ seven, who have played one less game.
On Friday, the reigning champions Crusaders kicked off the weekend by marking the opening of their long-awaited new stadium with a decisive 35-20 win over the NSW Waratahs.
Australia’s best chance to upset the local dominance at the $402 million venue came on Saturday, but Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo scored four tries, bringing his season total to 14, as the Brumbies were defeated 45-12.
In a closer match, the Queensland Reds faced the Blues. However, All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett secured a 36-33 victory for the New Zealand team with a crucial penalty in golden point extra time.
The Highlanders maintained the home team’s success on Sunday by overcoming a determined Moana Pasifika side, winning 27-17.
“It was a big occasion because of the new stadium here in Christchurch,” said Chiefs captain Tupou Vaa’i.
“It was awesome to get all the teams here and get three days of quality rugby.”
The sellout crowds at the new stadium throughout the weekend likely pleased Super Rugby organizers, although the local teams’ dominance in the increasingly uneven competition may raise concerns.
Currently, all top four teams in the standings after 11 of the 16 regular season rounds are from New Zealand, with the Blues in third, trailing by three points, and the Crusaders in fourth, one point ahead of the Brumbies and three ahead of the Reds.
