Cruden boots Chiefs home against Sharks in Super Rugby clash

Super Rugby pacesetters the Waikato Chiefs ground out a narrow 24-22 win over the Coastal Sharks on Friday, with coach Dave Rennie conceding they were lucky to stay top of the competition.

The Sharks outscored the Chiefs two tries to three but All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden proved the difference, booting four penalties while the South Africans could only manage one.

It was the seventh straight win for the Chiefs but Rennie admitted they did not look convincing.

"It was a pretty flat performance," he said.

"When we did we put them under pressure we stuttered our way through it and we were lucky to get a result."

The Chiefs also rode their luck last week in a one-point win against the Wellington Hurricanes and Rennie will be looking for improvement against defending champions the Otago Highlanders next week.

The defeat means the Sharks have four wins, one draw and four losses so far this season, retaining second place in the Africa 2 conference.

The Chiefs started the match strongly with a try in the first minute after Seta Tamanivalu caught the defence napping.

Number eight Michael Leitch crossed over in the corner after 23 minutes to extend the lead.

Kyle Cooper hit back from a line-out and Garth April crossed for the Sharks' second just before half-time to make it 15-all.

Cruden's accurate penalty kicking kept the scoreboard ticking over, putting the game beyond the Sharks, despite hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle's converted try in the 72 minute.