Lions 65 Waikato Chiefs 72: match report

Published: 11:27AM GMT 20 Feb 2010

Free-flowing: the final score has rewritten the Super 14 record books Photo: EPA

The Waikato Chiefs have beaten the Lions 72-65 in a high-scoring match that has rewritten the Super 14 record books.

The 137 points eclipsed the previous best total of 118 set in Natal"s 75-43 win over the Highlanders in 1997 and the 18 tries scored surpassed the 14 touchdowns that were accumulated in the Crusaders" 96-19 victory over the Waratahs in 2002.

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Man of the match Stephen Donald registered 32 points as the New Zealanders picked up their second away win in this season"s competition.

The Chiefs, runners-up in 2009, scored nine tries, including a hat-trick by All Blacks centre Richard Kahui, to notch up consecutive victories on South African soil following their 19-18 triumph over the Sharks in the opening round of fixtures.

The Lions recovered from a 17-6 deficit to lead 25-17 before the visitors countered with 48 unanswered points either side of the break.

The tone was set in the second minute when Chiefs centre Callum Bruce dived over in the right corner from a scrum near the line.

Fly-half Donald, who contributed a try, three penalties and nine conversions in a flawless kicking display, added the extra points.

Lions full-back Earl Rose, who had two penalties and five conversions, kept the home side in the game before centre Kahui charged through for the first of his three tries.

The Chiefs threatened to run away with the game but the Lions responded with 19 unanswered points through tries from winger Wandile Mjekevu, US international Todd Clever and former All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer.

Donald put the Chiefs back in front on the stroke of half-time before team-mate Liam Messam sparked a remarkable sequence of points-scoring with his only try.