Chiefs stun Crusaders, Brumbies edge Tahs in Super Rugby openers

Chiefs stunned the reigning champion Crusaders 31-10 and Brumbies gatecrashed a homecoming party for the New South Wales Waratahs with a 31-25 victory on the first night of the new Super Rugby Pacific season on Friday.

Teenage winger Max Jorgensen scored two tries on debut but the Waratahs were unable to deliver a victory for a crowd of 25 000 in their first proper home match for four years at the newly rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium.

Watched by Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, tries from scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan and wingers Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole helped the Brumbies, semifinalists last year, to a 28-17 lead on the hour mark.

Skipper Jake Gordon crossed in the corner to give the home side some hope but Noah Lolesio kicked a late penalty and the more disciplined Brumbies held on to extend their winning streak over the Waratahs to 10 matches.

"There was a lot of attention on the Waratahs this week, but we just did our thing in Canberra, stayed low, and then came here and put in a performance like that, it was unreal," said Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa.

Earlier, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Alex Nankivell and Cortez Ratima scored tries and Damian McKenzie, returning from Japan to put in an outstanding display, kicked 11 points as the Chiefs recovered from an early 10-0 deficit in Christchurch.

Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo'unga scored the first points of the new season from a drop goal and a try from fullback David Havili with Chiefs skipper Cane in the sin-bin but they were held scoreless for the last 60 minutes of the contest.

The game turned for good when Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder was shown a yellow card just before the hour mark and by the time he returned the Chiefs had scored two tries.

They immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage to send centre Nankivell in and a brilliant break from playmaker Josh Ioane opened up the Crusaders defence for his fellow replacement Ratima to score.

The Chiefs also beat the Crusaders in Christchurch in the regular season last year but lost to the 13-time champions in the playoff semifinals.

"I think we were a bit off there, not a great start for us but we'll look to get back on the horse," said Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett.