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The Highlanders have picked up a big win tonight against the Chiefs who slip away from the competition leaders, letting the Crusaders take top spot.
The Highlanders owned the majority of the game and got the result they deserved against a sloppy Chiefs outfit who struggled to find their feet throughout most of the 80 minutes.
Naholo bagged a double in his Super Rugby return after a broken leg, showing no signs of rust on the wing as he pushes for a very likely All Blacks jumper.
Credit has to go to the Highlanders defensive effort but at the same time, the Chefs were poor with ball retention and discipline in the end. Just failing to hit those final passes when the opportunities.
Final score
Chiefs 13
Highlanders 26
Competition front runners, the Chiefs, take on reigning Super Rugby Champions the Highlanders this evening in what could be the match of the round. Catch all the thrilling action and live scores coming out of Hamilton on The Roar from 5:35pm (AEST).
The Chiefs have been near unstoppable so far this season with just a solitary loss next to their name from the first half of the season.
In saying that though, the whole New Zealand conference has been near unstoppable so far, with every side bar one (those poor Blues) holding onto more competition points than the highest-ranked Aussie side (the Rebels).
Despite their standing on the ladder, the Chiefs have certainly slipped a touch in recent weeks, scrambling their way past the Hurricanes and Sharks with gutsy two and one point wins respectively.
After winning five on the trot in the early goings, the Highlanders have similarly let their form rust a little around the midway point of the season.
The Highlanders have taken two losses, a bye and one win from the last four weeks, now sitting on the edge of wild card qualification.
Team News:
A big boost for the visiting Highlanders who welcome back last years Super Rugby leading try scorer, Fijian-born All Black Waisake Naholo who returns from a broken leg.
Coach Jamie Joseph has been forced to shuffle his back line after a suspension to Jason Emry and a concussion ruling out Rob Thompson. Usual winger Matt Faddes has been moved in-field to wear the number 13 jumper, while shifting Malakai Fekitoa to inside centre.
Shane Christie will also be missing out, unable to train properly with a hamstring niggle so he’ll make way for Dan Pryor to start at openside.
For the Chiefs, coach Dave Rennie will welcome back four players from injury as well as a Super Rugby debut.
Charlie Ngatai and James Lowe have been cleared from shoulder injuries and will return to inside centre (Ngatai) and on the wing (Lowe). Anton Leinert-Brown will be shifted to the bench while Sam McNicol is dropped altogether to make way for the returns.
The two other injury returns will warm the bench for the start of the game, as Michael Allardice Maama Vaipulu make their way back into Super Rugby.
Young New Zealand 7’s player Sam Vaka will make his Super Rugby debut in the reserves.
Prediction:
The Chiefs haven’t looked their dominant best with their last couple of games and an eager Highlanders who have plenty to prove will be a tough ask despite being at home.
It’s a tough one to pick because the Highlanders have a really good chance to get a big win here, but I think the Chiefs will still find a way to win in the end.
Chiefs to win by 5.
Can the Chiefs keep ticking over the wins and break away at the top of the table? Or will the reigning champs wrestle their way deep into finals contention? Follow all the highlights and action of Round 11 Super Rugby from 5:35pm (AEST) on The Roar
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.