Rugby: Chiefs bounce back to edge Kubota Spears in final Japan pre-season hit-out

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 NZ side ran in five tries to four and were forced to sweat out a nervous final five minutes, as a late Spears dot set-up a nail-biting finish.

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 Malmali was another of the Chiefs' stand-outs, wreaking havoc among the Spears' defence all afternoon at Tokyo's Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

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

But the hosts immediatley wrestled back some momentum in the second half, scoring through 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 hitout against the Blues in Auckland next Friday.

Chiefs 35 (Tuhakaraina, Proffit, Ratima, Slater, Burr tries; Jacomb 4 cons, Ioane con) Kubota Spears 30 (Yamasaki 2, Saita, Nezuka tries: Vailea con, 2 pens, Shimada con)

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 NZ side ran in five tries to four and were forced to sweat out a nervous final five minutes, as a late Spears dot set-up a nail-biting finish.

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 Malmali was another of the Chiefs' stand-outs, wreaking havoc among the Spears' defence all afternoon at Tokyo's Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

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

But the hosts immediatley wrestled back some momentum in the second half, scoring through 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 hitout against the Blues in Auckland next Friday.

Chiefs 35 (Tuhakaraina, Proffit, Ratima, Slater, Burr tries; Jacomb 4 cons, Ioane con) Kubota Spears 30 (Yamasaki 2, Saita, Nezuka tries: Vailea con, 2 pens, Shimada con)

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