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          Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021
          ChiefsChiefsCHI
          15
          27/03FT
          12
          BluesBluesBLU
          • Samisoni Taukei'aho(58')
          • Damian McKenzie(80')
          • Damian McKenzie(81')
          • Damian McKenzie(46')
          • Akira Ioane(24')
          • Tom Robinson(62')
          • Otere Black(25')
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          McKenzie seals Chiefs' thrilling win over Blues

          • Reuters
          Multiple Authors
          Mar 27, 2021, 09:06 PM
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          Damian McKenzie's last-gasp try earned the Chiefs a thrilling 15-12 victory over the Blues in a hard-fought battle at Hamilton's FMG Stadium on Saturday.

          The All Blacks fullback crossed the line with only seconds to go before slotting over the conversion to earn the Chiefs a second win a row after last week's victory over the Hurricanes.

          The Blues had looked set to take the points after Tom Robinson had given his side the lead 18 minutes from time, only for McKenzie to steal the win in the dying seconds.

          Leon MacDonald's side had dominated in terms of possession and penalty count throughout the opening 40 minutes but were unable to turn their superiority into a sizeable halftime lead.

          Damian McKenzie scored the match-winning try inside the final minute in Hamilton, March 27, 2021 Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

          It took until the 24th minute for the visitors to register on the scoreboard when Akira Ioane spun clear to take the ball over the line from close range.

          The opportunity had come after a poor lineout by the Chiefs allowed Finlay Christie to pick the ball up several metres from the line and, although the home side initially frustrated the Blues, Ioane eventually scored.

          The Blues looked set to add to their total on the halfhour mark as Mark Telea burst towards the line, only for Chiefs fullback McKenzie to throw in a try-saving tackle.

          That was one of many frustrating passages of play for the Blues, who declined five kickable penalties in the first half but only managed to put seven points on the board by the interval.

          The Chiefs' Quinn Tupaea makes a break during the Super Rugby Aotearoa game against the Blues in Hamilton, March 27, 2021 Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

          The Blues were to rue not taking those opportunities as the Chiefs swung the game in their favour.

          McKenzie's 46th minute penalty was followed by a try from Samisoni Taukei'aho as the home side took the lead for the first time in the match.

          But the Blues fought back, with Robinson driving down the touchline to cross the line despite the desperate attentions of Chiefs' scrum-half Brad Weber.

          Otere Black missed the conversion having failed with a penalty attempt just moments earlier to keep the Chiefs within touching distance while Dalton Papalii was denied a decisive try due to obstruction.

          And with time running out McKenzie swooped to seal a thrilling clash, converting his own try to claim victory.

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          New Zealand
          RTeamGPPDP
          1CRU8+7228
          2CHI8-4320
          3BLU8+1920
          4HIG8-2514
          5HUR8-2312
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