Chiefs move clear at Super Rugby summit with comeback win over Crusaders

Chiefs secured a 35-19 win over the Crusaders on Saturday to open up a two-point lead at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings as they overturned a 16-point deficit to secure victory in Christchurch on Saturday.

Fullback Damian McKenzie scored 20 points, including a try to lead the Chiefs to their ninth win of the campaign in the top-of-the-table clash.

"There was some good footie played against a quality side," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson.

"That first half the Crusaders came out and they threw plenty of shots and they got some good points on the board from it, but I didn't feel like we were too far off."

Tries from Tom Christie, Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfon put the Crusaders into a 19-3 lead by the 38th minute, but the Chiefs ate away at that advantage to take the win.

Winger Emoni Narawa's try late in the first half gave the hosts a glimmer of hope before McKenzie revitalised his team, crossing the line to drag the Chiefs to within two points.

Leroy Carter sprinted down the left from deep inside his own half to score a fine individual effort and give the Chiefs the lead for the first time before Wallace Sititi put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time.

BRUMBIES WIN

The Brumbies moved up to second place with a 33-14 bonus-point victory over the Western Force in Perth.

The win may have come at a considerable cost, however, as flyhalf Noah Lolesio was carried off in the first half with what looked like a neck injury.

It will still be a concern for Australia coach Joe Schmidt with the British and Irish Lions tour less than two months away.

Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, Tom Hooper, Ollie Sapsford and Liam Bowron crossed for tries for the visitors.

The Force scored first through Kane Koteka and Mac Grealy added a second for the ninth-placed side whose playoff hopes are fading.

The New South Wales Waratahs opened up a 14-point lead early in the first half but could not keep up their momentum and lost 28-21 to the Reds as rain fell at Sydney Football Stadium.

Henry O'Donnell and Jake Gordon scored tries in the first 20 minutes, but Tate McDermott and Richie Asiata crossed the line to level the scores at halftime.

Replacement prop Taniela Tupou drove over from close range to put the home side back in front but, with Tupou off the field due to a yellow card, hooker Josh Nasser and winger Lachie Anderson scored the tries that took the visitors to victory.

The Reds stayed fourth as the Waratahs continued to slide down the standings, with Dan McKellar's team in eighth place with three rounds remaining.

Blues continued their resurgence with a comfortable 34-5 win over the Fijian Drua to move up to sixth with tries from Marcel Renata, Taufa Funaki, Josh Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao and Cole Forbes securing a bonus-point victory in Suva.

"We know that it's finals time soon and we've got to make our way there somehow, and for us it's week by week," Blues second row Patrick Tuipulotu said.