RECAPS: The Chiefs have been made to work for a 24-14 win over the Western Force in Perth.
The Force pushed them all the way in tough conditions as Cyclone Narelle had an effect on the handling.
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Captain Jeremy Williams levelled the scores but the class of the Chiefs was too much as Samisoni Taukei’aho's try with 20 minutes to go proved critical.
The Force made a mountain of tackles and had their chances late but couldn't find their way through the Chiefs defence as they held on despite a yellow card late.
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Chiefs 24-14: Damian McKenzie has iced the win for the Chiefs after an easy three points.
The Force have defended their hearts out but an offside penalty allows McKenzie to kick an easy three to push the margin to ten.
Chiefs 21-14: The Force are hunting for the equaliser but the conditions are starting to have their effect.
They cough it up just close to halfway as the Chiefs look to seal this win.
Chiefs 21-14: The Chiefs can't edge beyond a converted try as Damian McKenzie misses a valuable three points.
The penalty winds down the majority of Ollie Norris' yellow card but the flyhalf shanks it right of the posts as the Force are still in this
Chiefs 21-14: Serious talent from Kyren Taumoefolau almost creates a spectacular try as the replacement burns across field and around the Force defence.
He chips for himself and re-gather, but is dragged down before he can hand off to the support.
Chiefs 21-14: Unreal defence from the Chiefs off the scrum holds up Max Burey and forces the turnover.
The Force won the scrum penalty initially but can't make the second chance work.
Chiefs 21-14: Huge moment as Ollie Norris goes to the bin for ten on the Chiefs line.
It comes after several advantages against the visitors, with Norris the man to pay.
Chiefs 21-14: Darby Lancaster once again breaks clear and grubbers for himself as the wing has come alive.
It takes a remarkable chase from Kalyum Boshier to stop Lancaster after he soccers through from a knock on, just winning the race to the ball.
Chiefs 21-14: A desperate save from Damian McKenzie keeps Darby Lancaster from a promising opportunity.
Lancaster grubbers for himself just outside the 22 and McKenzie desperately dives on the ball to stop him re-gathering and potentially scoring.
Chiefs 21-14: The Chiefs have finally got over the line through their All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho.
After almost eight minutes of pressure, it takes a near full team rolling maul to deliver the goods for the visitors.
14-all: The Force are once again hanging on for dear life.
They keep repelling the Chiefs but keep giving away penalties, with the next one going to hte bin.
14-all: The Chiefs find their way through the line via their backs but again, the final pass doesn't find its mark.
They had penalty advantage as Damian McKenzie kicks for the line, with Henry Robertson producing a perfect try-saver to stop Leroy Carter under the posts.
14-all: Jeremy Williams appears to have pulled off another sharp short-metre play to level the scores.
Like the game in Dunedin, Williams manipulates the ruck in front of him and places it on the white line untouched for the try.
Chiefs 14-7: The Force are enjoying some fair field position as back-to-back lineout chances are shut down.
First it's taken down illegally, then Force miss the lineout throw, but will get the chance for a scrum 15 out.
Chiefs 14-7: Well we got 40 minutes of dry footy in as Cyclone Narelle starts to take effect.
The rain is pelting down as this becomes a kicking battle to start the half.
Interestingly, the Force have come out of the break with no Carlo Tizzano, replaced by Will Harris.
Chiefs 14-7: A wild finish to the half as Xavier Roe again creates a break from a dart at the base of the ruck.
But the scrumhalf just can't find Josh Jacomb in support and the Force hang on.
Chiefs 14-7: All too easy for the Chiefs as Josh Jacomb eases through the line.
The flyhalf exposes miscommunication within the defensive line as the rain starts to come down, looping around and racing clear with no cover defence.
7-all: Against the run of play, the Force have struck through Max Burey.
It's a great bomb from Ben Donaldson that George Bridge rises high to nab, somehow offloading it back off his elbow to Burey so the fullback can race over.
Chiefs 7-0: The visitors are causing absolute chaos as Josh Jacomb is the latest to break the line, brought down five metres out.
It takes a great pilfer penalty from Henry Robertson to stop what would've been a certain try the next phase.
Chiefs 7-0: The Chiefs are finding their groove as Leroy Carter kicks clear to put Xavier Roe into space.
Roe sprints into the 22 and tries to find support, but goes full NFL and passes it about a metre and a half forward.
Chiefs 7-0: A wild passage as both teams go end-to-end after a Force error on the Chiefs 22.
Etene Nanai-Seturo collects and kicks for Leroy Carter, with Ben Donaldson just quick enough to pass for Bayley Kuenzle to deliver a booming clearing kick.
Chiefs 7-0: Luke Jacobson delivers a captain's run as the Chiefs nab first points.
Jacobson comes from deep to burst through the hole for the first try of the game.
The Force is holding on for dear life after defending 26 phases.
They win a penalty advantage halfway through and will opt for a five-metre scrum.
The Chiefs have the chance to build pressure after a crucial scrum penalty.
It comes as the game descends into a battle within the 22s, with the visitors finally getting a chance to attack from close.
The changes to the Chiefs' backline are showing early after another loose pass in touch.
Last year's finalists are just not clicking so far in attack.
The Force show the gas on the counter attack as Darby Lancaster is nearly away, only to be ankle-tapped on halfway.
It comes after the Chiefs cough it up in their first real attacking raid after Henry Robertson's kick out on the full.
The Force have started this game strong after an early penalty has them parked inside the 22.
They press for 13 phases before an errard pass from Kurtley Beales goes over the touch line.
Another promising attack is shut down as Quinn Tupaea adds to his turnover account.
Ben Donaldson has the ball in hand and this game is underway!
The Force are running left to run on your screen to start this game.
Tries: Burey, Williams
Cons: Donaldson 2/2
Tries: Jacobson, Jacomb, Taukei’aho
Cons: McKenzie 3/3
Pens: McKenzie 1/1
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force-Chiefs clash in Perth.
Remarkable, conditions are looking pretty good in the west given the cyclonic weather in the past 24-48 hours.
Big game for the Force on their return home as the Chiefs tinker with their back line.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Max Burey
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Hamish Stewart, Divad Palu
CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Proffit, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tuapea, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Fiti Sa, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Brown, Kyren Taumoefolau
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Ben O'Keeffe
TMO: Glenn Newman
The Force's clash with the Chiefs will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
