Round six of the 2013 Super Rugby season kicks off tonight in an All-Black stacked clash between the Chiefs and the Highlanders. We’ll have live scores from 5.35pm AEDT.
The defending champion Chiefs have been bested only once so far this season, against the Stormers.
They have shown all the class that we had come to expect from the side last year, and with the likes of Leila Masaga and Tim Nanai-Williams finishing so well it is not surprising that they lead the New Zealand conference.
This weekend possibly sees the return of stars Kahui, Leonard and Robinson into the fold, who have all been out with injuries so far this season.
The Highlanders were highly touted coming into this season, having completed key signings in the off season of Tony Woodcock, Ma’a Nonu and the evergreen Brad Thorn joining the ranks.
But the season has not gone to plan so far with the boys from Otago having lost three straight, including an earlier match against the Chiefs at home.
The Highlanders just haven’t quite found their rhythm yet and will be hoping for an improved performance this weekend.
Whilst the veteran Highlanders pack should hold their own against the Chiefs’ forwards their season won’t getting any easier tonight.
The Chiefs should be too strong at home and will add to the Highlanders’ growing woes with a win by more than seven points.
Onor
Guest
All that talk of trying to tire out the chiefs and it looked like they tired themselves out! Still cant understand why Joseph got rid of noakes, I'd have gotten rid of slade before noakes and why you play a running game with slade is beyond me, slade is the kicker, sapoanga is the runner!! O well!! they tried really hard!! Top marks for effort!! they left everything out there.
atlas
Guest
lucky draw for Highlanders! Get to face the 2012 champions twice in their first 4 matches. Oh well, onwards and upwards!
He did very well, strong runs. He seems to be a top bloke as well.
Hightackle
Guest
How good is it to see Kahui back for a Chiefs fan? Im not sure he will be an AB after signing with a Japanese club but we missed him last year. TKB is quality and is now NZs best 9 imo. Hes far more well rounded than A.Smith. The Highlanders were unlucky...unlucky to be part of the NZ conference with the Mighty Chiefs!
Billy Bob
Guest
Yes agreed Biltong, the Hlanders were victims of the home town rules. Nanai Williams try had two possible knock one in the lead up. And chiefs spent a lot of time in front of the last feet at a lot of rucks. And then there was the deliberate knock down by the chiefs winger in the red zone. Cooper was hardly pretending to be unbiased in commentary. Game was intense, though. H'landers played well. Sadly though the highlanders maybe a couple of weeks late to find this form.
atlas
Guest
pjbreck thanks for your efforts today don't expect either side to be happy with their performance; very messy Highlanders - doomed to 'almost' score, two or was it three held up over the line, then Chris King looked a certainty but held back/short of the line a game of 'ifs' if Slade could kick a goal - how many did he miss and that lucky try that started it for the Chiefs, and it was lucky, even seeing the tmo replays I'm unsure about a knock-on by a Chiefs player but that's the way it goes 0-4 for the Highlanders, and not even a bonus point today
I feel for the Highlanders here. Everytime they were insode the tryline something went wrong, in my view the contesting at the defensive rucks by the Chiefs were illegal, and they got away with too much. Having said that, winning teams seem to have the bounce of the ball.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
80′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 Highlanders win the lineout and penalty, they go again, and now a penalty to teh Chiefs. and that i would say is the ball game. Anscombe lines up and misses it. The Highlanders run it from their own goal line. now at the 40m. poor passing again though. They go a little bit forward. the Highlanders continue on. into the Chiefs half. Going no where really. Now they go wide and turned over again and that is it
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Outstanding defensive effort over the full 80 by the Chiefs, especially coming back from the republic. They look even better this year than last year
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
78′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 Highlanders win the lineout. Can they score? but poor ball control sees the Chiefs clear and Poki is taken into touch. chiefs lineout 22m out from the Highlanders line.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
76′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 Chiefs look to have survived this one. as they clear the kick. and the Highlanders counter. Nonu puts it ahead and teh Highlanders lose it 1m out from the Chiefs. Big chance for the Highlanders with a massive overlap, just couldnt get it there.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
74′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 A few changes now for the Highlanders. As they get a scrum on their own 22m line. They clear and to wide to Gear in space. over the halfway, and goes into touch from a Kahui tackle. Loose ball from the Chiefs, but they get a scrum 22m out.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
72′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 End to end stuff here. penalty to the Highlanders who turn it over the Chiefs kick ahead, then Poki goes for a run, turns it over and the Chiefs one pass away from a try.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
68′ Chiefs 19 – Highlanders 7 Chiefs scrum 40m out and
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
68′ Chiefs 16 – Highlanders 7 Highlanders go wide to Smith and poor pass sees a scrum to the Chiefs. There is a lot of turnover ball tonight.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
66′ Chiefs 16 – Highlanders 7 Poor play from the Chiefs gives teh scrum to the Highlanders. but they are 60+m out.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
64′ Chiefs 16 – Highlanders 7 Chiefs win the scrum and go right to the blind to Ker-barlow who puts it out on the full. Lineout to the Highlanders but they lose it. and Kahui to Anscombe. Big defence from the Highlanders. but they still have it and then Kahui kicks it and gets a lucky bounce to Horrell. Chiefs not really going anywhere. and kahui to Nanai-williams who chips and defused by Smith. so they clear.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Welcome back Richard Kahui. He looks like he has bulked up a bit. Cant wait to see how he comes on this season
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
62′ Chiefs 16 – Highlanders 7 Slade goes short and the Chiefs play it so it is OK. They Highlanders go to Emery. they are still on the 50m and now more poor handling. Scrum Chiefs.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
60′ Chiefs 16 – Highlanders 7 Scrum Chiefs, mid field. They go right and to Kahui with a strong run. now 5m out. Kahui again and a penalty coming. They go wide to Horrell. Good defence so far. and now the
