The Highlanders overcame a sizeable early deficit to beat the Chiefs 31-24 in a Super 14 pre-season fixture in Dunedin on Saturday.
In warm conditions at Carisbrook, both teams employed a total of 27 players in a four-quarter affair which was open and clearly lacking real intent.
The Highlanders trailed 19-5 after the first quarter but gradually overhauled the visitors, scoring 14 unanswered points in the final stanza.
Two of their five tries went to transplanted Canterbury winger James Paterson, while the others went to halfback Sean Romans, flanker John Hardie and prop Bronson Murray. Five-eighth Matt Berquist slotted three conversions.
Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, winger Jason Hona, prop Hikairo Forbes and hooker Aled de Malmanche crossed for the Chiefs while first five-eighth Trent Renata landed two conversions.
There appeared to be no serious injuries although Highlanders No.8 Nasi Manu left the ground favouring his shoulder.
Weather and Blues spoil Mangatainoka party
Meanwhile, poor weather and the boot of Daniel Kirkpatrick dampened the occasion for Hurricanes fans in Mangatainoka as the Blues won a pre-season Super 14 rugby match 19-17.
Both sides scored three tries in a spectacle marred by rain and cold conditions but two conversions to former Wellington five-eighth Kirkpatrick proved the difference after the score was locked 5-5 at halftime.
The match was an 8000-seat sellout on a farm in the small Wairarapa community which is made famous by the presence of popular beer brewery.
The players struggled to respond in kind because of the conditions although the game opened up in the dying stages when the sun poked through.
Blues’ winger Rene Ranger was a standout performer, always looking threatening and crossing for two tries. Their other try went to halfback Taniela Moa.
The Hurricanes scored through prop Anthony Perenise, halfback Chris Eaton and centre Charlie Ngatai while five-eighth Willie Ripia landed one conversion.
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