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Highlanders vs Chiefs highlights: Highlanders down Chiefs in a thriller

16th July, 2016
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 5:35pm (AEDT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Betting: Highlanders $1.62, Chiefs $2.24

Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown , 2. Ash Dixon , 3. Siosuia Halanukonuka , 4. Tom Franklin , 5. Alex Ainley , 6. Elliot Dixon , 7. James Lentjes , 8. Luke Whitelock , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Lima Sopoaga , 11. Patrick Osborne , 12. Malakai Fekitoa , 13. Matt Faddes , 14. Waisake Naholo , 15. Ben Smith (C)
Replacements : 16. Liam Coltman , 17. Aki Seiuli , 18. Josh Hohneck , 19. Mark Reddish , 20. Liam Squire , 21. Dan Pryor , 22. Te Aihe Toma , 23. Fletcher Smith

Chiefs
1. Kane Hames, 2. Nathan Harris , 3. Atu Moli , 4. Dominic Bird , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Tom Sanders , 7. Sam Cane (cc), 8. Liam Messam , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden (cc), 11. James Lowe, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Seta Tamanivalu , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Damian McKenzie
Replacements : 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 18. Hiroshi Yamashita , 19. Taleni Seu , 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Brad Weber , 22. Stephen Donald , 23. Sam McNicol
The Highlanders' Aaron Smith. (AAP Image/ SNPA, Ross Setford)
Roar Guru
16th July, 2016
133
6676 Reads

The final round of Super Rugby has arrived and in the fiercely competitive New Zealand conference champions the Highlanders host the Chiefs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST)

The Chiefs lead the New Zealand conference, with the Highlanders in third.

The Highlanders can top the Super Rugby standings but they would need a bonus-point victory. The Chiefs can remain as conference leaders but unless the Crusaders draw with the Hurricanes they will need to win.

The Highlanders have won their last two matches with bonus points, and beaten the Chiefs in the last five meetings, but overall the Chiefs enjoy a 15-12 advantage, including a 7-6 edge in away matches.

For the Chiefs, All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick returns from his rest last week, and discarded sevens veteran Liam Messam makes his first start of the season, bumping Same Cane from No.8 to 7.

Kane Hames, Nathan Harris and Atu Moli will start alongside each other for the second consecutive week, while the backs are unchanged from the line-up who ravaged the Reds 50-5 in Brisbane last Friday.

The Highlanders have made two changes in the front row and altered their midfield from last week. Daniel Lienert-Brown (prop) and Alex Ainley (lock) both return to the starting team after recovering from injury. Josh Hohneck moves to the bench and is joined by Liam Coltman, who has recovered from a lengthy injury break.

In the midfield, Malakai Fekitoa returns to second five-eighth and reunites with Matt Faddes, arguably the form centre of the competition, to reform what was a very effective midfield combination prior to the June break.

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Prediction
Expect this match to be played at Test-match intensity. Territory will be key, but it should open up later. The Highlanders have had a huge travel schedule lately which could be a factor, but their bench is has delivered this season.

Highlanders by five.

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