Match Result
What a bizarre game, the Highlanders took a strong lead heading into the half time break. Then two penalty tries and a yellow card to Joe Wheeler turned the game on it’s head and the Highlanders were looking like they were going to get run over. Some gutsy work though kept them in it, Fekitoa and Smith were outstanding while the front row from the Chiefs was dominant all night.
Cruden’s boot continues to be a worry and he missed three penalties, and Horrell missed one, in the end it was the Highlanders with just 24% of the territory who got the job done. Banks kick after the siren shows that he could be a future star for the franchise.
It’s the Highlanders 20 defeating the Chiefs 17.
Match Preview
The Chiefs will be looking to continue their perfect start to the season when they host the Highlanders in an outstanding New Zealand conference game. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:25pm AEDT.
It’s been smooth sailing so far for the Chiefs in 2015; the return of Sonny Bill Williams has certainly given them an extra edge in midfield and Charlie Ngatai appears to have taken another step forward.
Although it is worth noting the Chiefs won their first three games in both 2010 and last year before losing their fourth game of the season.
The Highlanders got their season on track last week against the Reds, following a loss to the Crusaders in Round 2 after having the bye in Round 1.
If you use the two sides’ form against the Crusaders as an indicator you would say the Chiefs will win this one comfortably after a dominant display. They have also beaten the Brumbies, who many think will be challenging for the title come the business end of the season.
Both sides have great attacking weapons and as previously mentioned Ngatai has been great this season, tied with the Highlanders’ Wasiake Naholo as the only two players to beat at least 10 defenders this season.
Upsetting the lineout could be a key to victory, with the Highlanders completing 94.1 per cent and the Chiefs 93.8 per cent to be ranked first and second with lineout success.
The last two games between these sides stand at one apiece. The largest margin in those two games was just four points, when the Highlanders broke a four-game losing streak to the Chiefs 25-21 at Forsyth Barr.
The Chiefs have dominated recent encounters, winning five of the last seven games, but one of those losses for the Chiefs was at home, when the Highlanders prevailed 23-19 in 2012.
Prediction
The Chiefs side are the benchmark team in the competition and they were simply ruthless last week against the Crusaders, playing outstanding running rugby and scoring tries at will.
This one is going to be a high-scoring affair and the Chiefs have too much up their sleeves for the Highlanders.
Chiefs by 8.
Old Bugger
Guest
First, congrats to Highlanders -they have to be the most dogged side ever but now I know how it feels to win every stat except the score stat. They scrambled, they harassed but perhaps more importantly, they believed and let the Chiefs make the mistakes. They done it before in derbies so I can't see them stop now. To the Chiefs - too much possession, too much territory, not enough patience and last but not least, a huge fail with their execution.....compared to last week where everything they tried went to plan then last night, it seemed everything they tried, went south.....and this from a side that had 2 forced changes and 1 coaching change. This is not a coaching fault IMO - it is a basic lack of patience by the players to attempt the fancy plays at every opportunity. I also believe that Ngatai's late withdrawal had a marked affect upon the whole backline's inept play and lack of composure. Lastly, some comments on a few players.....Cruden had a mongrel game across the board. His total lack of confidence has to be a concern if he continues to harbor ambitions of remaining in Hansen's radar. I have been quite vocal in his camp and while it is just one match, he will need to take stock and re-commit to sorting out this matter quickly lest he finds himself warming the bench and that's the last thing he needs right now. IMO, Gus Pulu made some very basic but wrong decisions. His sniping was the way to go but he got white line fever every time he ran the ball. On most occasions, he got himself behind the Landers defense only to run too far, get himself caught with the ball and thus fail to link with his outsides to continue the break. That's not good decision making and cos I was so critical of Andy Ellis last week, then equally, I am critical of Gus' game last night. I don't know what's going on with Gear, but for someone with his vast experience, his on-field absences are a real concern. He needs to wake up and quickly to get more involved otherwise he may get accused of some free grazing if he's not careful. Horrell needs another game cos 12mths on the sideline certainly showed itself and impacted on his ability to be tha link with the back 3. Overall, that was a C- rating IMO and that's being generous because they got a bonus pt but, there needs to be a refocus for all the players to get back to playing what's in front of them instead of thinking too far ahead and playing what's behind them.....that is ignorance on a grand scale and teams will kick your bum if you continue to play in that manner because when things start to go south, then that breeds frustration which in turn breeds mistakes. Now for the trip to SA and fingers x-ed things can be sorted out otherwise.......mmmm!!
Lano
Roar Guru
It wasn't the extra player, it was the mere fact that they got possession. Let's see what the pundits say in the reviews. Refer comments below also.
Harry Jones
Expert
Canes have a huge opening
RobC
Roar Guru
Chiefs <= Blues last week Highlanders <= Cheetahs last week Chiefs nice scrum tries when it counted, but wasnt always good. Cruden radar is off Landers: phase 2, scramble D help do the deed again
AndyS
Guest
Can't agree. If nothing else it was a penalty, and the extra player was irrelevant after that.
Lano
Roar Guru
The James Lowe penalty was an absolute joke and directly affected the result. Rediculous decision. Chiefs were robbed.
Boomeranga
Guest
Looks like a win for the Mocker Gods.
Digby
Roar Guru
Yes, and frivolous use of possession.
Harry Jones
Expert
Is this real? Chiefs' boots let them down?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Awful ref. if he was a saffa, French or English spiro himself and his brigade would be all over him. But hey, he is from the right country so its all good.
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Gee thats hard on Messam, i thought he had a good game, where was his decision making at fault
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I have been bagging the coach since early last season and he has done nothing to change my mind since, They are still making the same errors and bad decisions they have been doing for 18 months not just one game. The Blues and Crusaders have been very poor and the Chiefs grinded to a win against the Brumbies after being dominated for 50 minutes i'm not one of those swinging from the rooftops when the reality is there for anyone who has half a rugby brain. The Chiefs can be the best team in this comp by a country mile, they just need a better coach, better structure and settled selections.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
A brave but foolish man!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
mckenzie and Webber need to start next week and Squire should take Messams job. give Cane the captaincy Messam and Cruden are not up to the mark, they make poor decisions on the paddock and you can't have that in a captain.
Colin Fenwick
Guest
Oh jesus Kuruki, you might want to take a deep breath outside before bagging the coach after 1 poor game.
Clark
Guest
I agree 100%
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Cruden should have been subbed early, Rennie at fault here, not taking a player off who is so out of form !
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Fortunately my power play was elsewhere
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Needless to say i dropped points there. Being a Waikato supporter i have to look who to blame for that loss. I could blame the ref, but he was incompetant for both teams. I could blame SBW for the Osbourne try as it was the gap he left that Osbourne stepped through, I could blame Cruden for the misses at goal, but in the end I will blame Rennie the coach, why would you leave on the field a player who is playing so badly he even takes hinself out of goal kicking, when you are that down on yourself it affects your whole game and the team around you. It was obviois the forwards were so pissed at the backs they tried to do it all themselves but ran out of steam. Cruden should have been replaced early in the second half.
Digby
Roar Guru
Never powerplay a NZ derby, ever! ;)