The Chiefs started their Super 12 rugby season with a grinding 19-7 victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

After fighting tenaciously to trail just 6-7 at halftime, the Chiefs dominated territory in the swirling wind and pinned the Hurricanes near their 22 for long periods.

Within nine minutes of the restart five-eighth Glen Jackson had kicked the Chiefs into the lead at 12-7 with two penalties while his Hurricanes opposite Riki Flutey missed his fourth attempt before being replaced by David Holwell.

While the Chiefs were dominating territory, they were their own worst enemies in turning over ball at attacking lineouts and rucks.

Replacement forwards Sione Lauaki and Wayne Ormond made a big impact and less than seven minutes after Jackson had missed his first kick at goal Lauaki was driven over the tryline by skipper Jono Gibbes for the Chiefs' first try.

Jackson duly converted to give his side a 19-7 lead that they clung to until the end.

The Hurricanes, 2003 semifinalists, won a surfeit of ruck possession but persisted with one-off runners in their own half and struggled to get themselves on to attack.

A swirling wind contributed to a dull arm wrestle in the first half that ended with the Hurricanes deservedly leading after dominating possession.

Forced to defend for much of the spell after a strong opening stanza, the Chiefs hung in and conceded only a penalty try when lock Dave Duley was ruled by referee Steve Walsh to have dragged down a driving maul from a Paul Tito lineout take.

While the Chiefs managed to win only about a third of the possession, Jackson kept them within one point at the break by kicking both penalty goal opportunities he was given, including one after the halftime hooter.

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