TENSE FINISH: Gatland misses match-winning penalty for the Chiefs
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Bryn Gatland missed an 83rd-minute penalty attempt to let the Blues off the hook as the Chiefs lost 24-22.
The missed shot at goal meant the Blues escaped a second straight late defeat in their Super Rugby Pacific clash.
“I’m speechless at the moment … you don’t want to know what i was thinking in my head (as Gatland lined up the kick),” Blues captain Dalton Papalii said after the game.
“We talked about winning the small moments, but we made it tough for ourselves.”
What a finish!
A late missed penalty denies the Cheifs a victory over the Blues.#SuperRugbyPacific #BLUvCHI
pic.twitter.com/RiAxHdlNgB
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) March 5, 2022
The two sides traded tries early in the second half but a Bryn Gatland penalty goal gave the Chiefs the advantage heading into the final ten minutes.
It looked like the Blues were set for another disappointing result however some Stephen Perofeta brilliance, in setting up a try for Mark Telea and a stunning conversion, edged the hosts ahead.
Gatland had a chance with a kick after the siren but his effort missed narrowly.
The Blues open their account in Super Rugby Pacific whilst the Chiefs taste defeat for the first time in 2022.
