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Chiefs v Highlanders: 2014 Super Rugby live scores, blog

1st March, 2014
Teams

Chiefs

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Michael Fitzgerald
5. Matt Symons
6. Nick Crosswell
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Liam Messam
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden (c)
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
15. Mils Muliaina

Replacements :

16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Tevita Koloamatangi
20. Liam Squire
21. Brad Webber
22. Andrew Horrell
23. James Lowe

Highlanders

1. Kane Hames
2. Liam Coltman
3. Chris King
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. Joe Wheeler
6. Gareth Evans
7. John Hardie
8. Nasi Manu (co-captain)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Malakai Fekitoa
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Winston Stanley
14. Richard Buckman
15. Ben Smith (co-captain)

Replacements:
16. Brayden Mitchell
17. Matias Diaz
18. Craig Millar
19. Josh Bekhuis
20. Shane Christie
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Trent Renata
23. Phil Burleigh

Kick off: 5:35pm AEDT
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Last Time: Chiefs 19-7 Highlanders
History: Chiefs 14 Highlanders 7
Betting: $1.21 Chiefs, $4.50 Highlanders
TV: Fox Sports 3 (LIVE)
The Brumbies host the Chiefs, with the openside battle set to be a corker. (AP Photo/SNPA, Ross Setford)
Roar Guru
1st March, 2014
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3635 Reads

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.

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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

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