The Highlanders have further loosened the Chiefs’ hold on the Super Rugby title with a 29-25 win in a hard-fought contest that produced a nail-biting ending in Dunedin.
The loss was the third in a row for the Chiefs and it keeps the two-time defending champions outside the top six with two rounds to go.
But the Highlanders, despite being outscored three tries to two, find themselves up in third place as they bid to break a 12-year play-off drought.
Lima Sopoaga’s boot proved decisive, the five-eighth landing all his six shots at goal for 16 points to go past assistant coach Tony Brown’s franchise season record of 150 points.
It was yet another narrow finish for the southerners, 11 of whose 14 matches this season have been settled by seven points or fewer.
They have finished on the right side of the ledger in six of them.
They broke a tight contest open in the 49th minute, with their three All Blacks – Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith – all involved.
After the home side absorbed a period of pressure, hooker Brayden Mitchell grabbed a turnover to set up a big breakout.
Aaron Smith decided against kicking, Fekitoa and winger Richard Buckman carried the attack upfield before Buckman, who also had a strong game defensively, timed his pass to put Ben Smith over.
The conversion made it 20-13 and two further Sopoaga penalties gave the Highlanders some breathing room.
Substitute back Tim Nanai-Williams gave the Chiefs hope with 12 minutes to go when he stepped his way over.
Another of the Chiefs’ bench, prop Josh Hohneck set up a grandstand finish when he powered across the line with five minutes to go, but the Highlanders held on.
The first half featured a contest in which both sides were able to disrupt the other’s set piece, meaning neither could create continuity.
After conceding an early penalty, the Highlanders got the game’s first try after some strong running by midfield backs Shaun Treeby and Fekitoa created the chance for winger Patrick Osborne.
The Chiefs hit back almost immediately thanks to a wicked bounce from an Aaron Cruden grubber.
The ball beat a covering Ben Smith and landed in the hands of winger Dwayne Sweeney to dot down.
Old Bugger
Guest
Ric Gees - I think the ABs front row may have a new member for the EOYT. Brilliant how he gave the BIG T a run around on the skills and technique required in the scrums. I thought T was another immovable object.....until I saw Hames!!
Riccardo
Guest
Gidday OB. How about the Hames led Highlanders scrum? I bet the Chiefs front row aren't usedto be pushed and wheeled like that. Outstanding...
Chivas
Guest
Yeah I reckon most teams would say three more wins would make a difference to where they ended up...
trev
Guest
Yeah I'm worried that the points lost from the 'no try' Dagg tackle against the Crusaders, the one oint loss to the Stormers and the injury time Reds try might cost us in the end.
Bobbo7
Guest
Good win. The Highlanders look a pretty handy team.
Winston
Guest
Yep pretty gutted looks like its no three peat. Weird selections on the wings for this game. Benching TNW is a mystery to me. In saying that the highlanders put some good tries on and if it wasn't for a lucky bounce they would have won by more.
Old Bugger
Guest
Bugger....!!
44bottles
Roar Guru
Nadolo's gone great though. I didn't realise that osbourne had been released from the crusaders
Highlander
Guest
Way above seasons expectations already - really impressed with the post King/McIntosh scrum (which we relied upon for years), defense of the gainline is first rate, but most impressive are the guys who would have been considered tier two players at the start of the year and are playing out of their skin, Treeby, Franklin, Christie, Buckman - amazing depth. Plus our AB's. The Smiths and Krakatoa are just great fun to watch. Looks tough in our next 2 games but we can have a red hot go and see what happens.
ben
Guest
At the start of the season blackadder was going on about how they needed a linebreaking big power winger. They went and got nadolo but released osbourne. I couldnt understand that. Even less now he has been called in as cover for the abs. He was good last night again. Theres been a lot of criticism leveled at kirwan and the blues releasing fekitoa and a few others. Blackadders gone unquestioned on osbourne. I thought osbourne was great during itm cup as well.
moaman
Guest
In the period immediately after halftime I thought the Chiefs were wresting control; the Highlanders hung on grimly and when they broke out and scored at the other end, it only served to highlight the lack of any real sting or direction in the Chiefs' attack. Kuruki pointed out very early in the campaign the Chiefs' penchant for chopping and changing the run-on XV---that, and the absence of Clark & Taumalolo seem to me to be the root of all ills. The game itself was interesting because of the willingness of both teams and the ramifications of defeat.It must have felt like Groundhog Day for Smith & Smith when they repelled,repulsed and then dispatched the 'white orcs'. On a side note; How bad was Cruden's clutch conversion attempt?