Chiefs edge Kubota Spears 35-30 pre-season match

The Chiefs have survived a hard-fought contest with Kubota Spears to emerge 35-30 victors in their final Super Rugby pre-season outing in Japan.

The New Zealand side ran in five tries to four and were forced to sweat out a nervous final five minutes, as Spears scored a late try.

Ultimately, the Chiefs held on to ensure they leave Japan with a win under their belts, after being well beaten in their first match last weekend.

All Black Anton Lienert-Brown's addition added plenty of punch to the Chiefs midfield, combining with Quinn Tupaea to great effect.

Powerhouse wing Peniasi Malimali who was born in Fiji was another Chiefs standout, wreaking havoc among the Spears defence.

The Chiefs took a 21-8 lead at halftime, courtesy of tries to Tana Tuhakaraina, Jared Proffit, and Cortez Ratima, who finished an 80m movement for the try of the match.

The hosts immediately wrestled back some momentum in the second half, scoring a try through Hiroyuki Yamasaki and adding a penalty to reduce their deficit to five points.

Bradley Slater's 57th minute try was cancelled out minutes later by the Spears, before Hamilton Burr put the Chiefs 12 points clear with 15 minutes to play.

Yamasaki's second try with four minutes to play kept the match afloat, but the Chiefs defence held on to secure victory.

The Chiefs now return to Hamilton to prepare for their final pre-season match against the Blues in Auckland next Friday at 3pm.

They take on the Crusaders in their first match of the Shop n Save Super Rugby season on the 23rd of February at 6.05pm.

Source: newshub.co.nz

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