Tim Nanai-Williams scored two tries and a made a superb try saving tackle as the Chiefs beat the Sharks 37-29 in an entertaining Super Rugby clash on Saturday. Francois Steyn was cited for charging into Nanai-Williams, but has since been cleared.
In what was a rematch from last year's final, the Chiefs shot out to an incredible 24-0 lead after just 16 minutes, before the Sharks pulled things back to 24-19 at the break.
Late in the game Cobus Reinach intercepted off the back of a scrum and dashed away for what looked to be a try, but for the intervention of Nanai-Williams, who tracked back and caught the speedy scrumhalf with a great tackle.
The Chiefs centre was penalised in the fight for the ball just before Francois Steyn came flying in to clean him out. Steyn was cited for charging into a ruck or maul without the use of the arms, which according the citing commisioner, met the red card threshold for foul play.
A SANZAR judicial hearing found that video evidence supported Steyn's claims that he was not guilty of foul play. He will be available for the Sharks' next match, against the Highlanders.
Unfortunately young Reinach injured his ankle ligaments in the tackle, and had to fly home.
In the end eight tries were scored, with the Sharks picking up a four try bonus point. They were denied a second point though, due to a Chiefs penalty at the death. The defending champions are now top of the New Zealand conference, and second on the overall log.