Roar Guru
It’s the battle of New Zealand’s top two teams. The Chiefs will have their hands full when they welcome the Highlanders tonight at Waikato Stadium.
Both sides are coming off fairly impressive wins last weekend. The Highlanders out-gunning the Blues with a flurry of point scoring in the first half while the Chiefs displayed poise, fight and stubbornness to out muscle the Crusaders.
This game could certainly see plenty of points being scored their backline has great depth and attacking flair and up front there are loads of mobile bodies to help carry the ball up field and gain meters. As much as their ability to throw the ball around and play an expansive game it will be up the middle and their defense that will be the difference in this one.
Even though the Highlanders shoed plenty of flare and attack as well as spirited defense in one half of footy.
The second half wasn’t quite as crisp for the Highlanders, giving up the ball and at key times and allowing the Blues to dictate the play to them instead.
The Blues had found their rhythm and mounted a fierce run to the finish and the Highlanders did little to close them down. Their fast start helped to keep their noses in front. They definitely can’t afford to slacken off in this game no matter what stage of the match it is.
It was a similar story for the Chiefs last week they always kept slightly ahead of the Crusaders yet as soon as the opposition started playing with more possession, the Chiefs lost control of the game and gave away numerous penalties.
The Chiefs will be looking to rectify the number of penalties conceded; it was one of their poorest areas of their game last week. If they give up the same amount they can’t expect the Highlanders to miss out on opportunities to kick for points.
Chiefs’ halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow will be playing his first game of the season and he’ll be looking to have a big impact. In the mean time Liam Messam goes into no:8 and a new face Liam Squire is another debutant for them.
Highlanders have a new debutant in Winston Stanley joining the backline while one of the stars from their previous game Malakai Fekitoa takes over the left wing. Joe Wheeler will start the game and Jarrad Hoeata is taking over for the injured Brad Thorn.
Tip: Chiefs