Chiefs leave it late to overcome Fijian Drua for eighth successive win in Super Rugby Pacific

At FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton: Chiefs 5src (Cortez Ratima, Shaun Stevenson, Kaylum Boshier, Damian McKenzie, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Etene Nanai-Seturo tries; McKenzie 5 con) Fijian Drua 17 (Elia Canakaivata, Michael Naitokani, Ilaisa Droasese tries; Teti Tela con). HT: 31-12.

The Chiefs recorded their eighth successive win but had to battle away to overcome the Fijian Drua 5src-17 in a gruelling slog on Friday night.

Conditions were awful after hours of heavy rain in Hamilton, but the Chiefs banked the bonus-point win to extend their lead on top of Super Rugby Pacific and remain unbeaten.

The hosts scored five tries when the rain poured in the first half but struggled to assert control after half-time, even as the downpour eased at FMG Stadium Waikato.

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They needed late tries from locks Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i to send the most of the sodden 11,142 fans home happy, with Etene Nanai-Seturo adding another after the hooter that was harsh on the Fijians.

The determined Drua never folded and were cheered on by smatterings of Fijians, who made the loudest roar of the night when winger Ilaisa Droasese finished off a breathtaking try from an attack which started in their 22.

The Chiefs will have sore bodies over the weekend after some thunderous contact.

Still, they had too much class as playmakers Bryn Gatland