Rugby-Chiefs suffer blow to semi-final hopes

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG, May 10 (Reuters) - Fullback Earl Rose notched 18 points as the Lions defeated the Waikato Chiefs 33-27 on Saturday in a major blow to the New Zealand side's hopes of reaching the Super 14 semi-finals.

The Chiefs languish in seventh place and need to win with a bonus point in their final match next weekend against the Sharks and hope other results go their way.

The Lions had won one of their previous 11 matches to prop up the standings but they looked a revitalised side after returning home to their Ellis Park fortress following a disappointing overseas tour.

The Lions were out 10-0 in front early on with Rose kicking a penalty and the conversion of scrumhalf Chris Jonck's try.

Stephen Donald narrowed the gap to 10-3 before Waikato hooker Aled de Malmanche evaded a couple of tackles and hot-footed over the tryline.

Donald's conversion and another penalty gave the Chiefs a 13-10 lead, but Rose, who kicked faultlessly and was outstanding in defence, then sparked a memorable try that put the Lions ahead just before halftime.

Rose re-gathered his own speculative kick and he linked up with flank Joe van Niekerk after a mazy run, the Springbok cutting back infield to set up a ruck, from which Willem Alberts scored.

Rose converted and he kicked a penalty early in the second half to put the Lions 20-13 ahead.