The Highlanders have stolen an unlikely 20-17 win against the Chiefs in their fourth round Super Rugby match at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Trailing 14-3 at halftime, the Chiefs steamed back with two penalty tries in the second spell, but paid the price for not taking their chances as the Highlanders added two late penalties to steal the win.
The Chiefs dominated possession and territory early on, looking sharp in shifting the ball wide despite the absence of centre Charlie Ngatai, out after tweaking an ankle earlier in the week.
They were also missing All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, sidelined with a shoulder injury picked up in last week’s 40-16 thumping of the Crusaders, but received a late boost with the inclusion of No.8 Liam Messam after passing a concussion test.
The Highlanders absorbed intense pressure for much of the first half, taking a 6-3 lead on penalties into the last 10 minutes as the Chiefs struggled with handling errors and poor option-taking.
The Highlanders scrum worked hard to hold off the Chiefs close to the line, then second five-eighth Shaun Treeby sparked a length-of-the-field try as the visitors struck on the counterattack.
Wing Patrick Osborne finished the movement in style, sidestepping his way through four defenders to touch down for his eighth Super Rugby try.
Lima Sopo’aga couldn’t add the conversion, but managed a late penalty right on the halftime whistle to give the Highlanders a 14-3 lead going into the break.
If the Chiefs, unbeaten so far this season, lacked patience and accuracy in the first spell, they rediscovered both right from the restart.
Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler was sin-binned after five minutes for playing the ball on the ground, the home team capitalising almost immediately with a maul from the resulting scrum winning a penalty try.
The Chiefs continued to dominate up front, scoring a second penalty try as the hour marked approached, Aaron Cruden’s conversion giving them a 17-14 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
They held the lead until replacement No.10 Marty Banks sank a 77th minute penalty to level the scores, following that up two minutes later with a second three-pointer to seal the win.
Old Bugger
Guest
Clark Now that's the silliest comment I've seen for sometime. Just think about this before you get carried away and respond again..... SBW wasn't around in 2013 but all us supporters were....and btw, would you like me to refresh your memory about who won that year?? He wasn't around last year either but we Chiefs supporters were still there even though we got knocked out in the QFs.....but hey, your team made it to the QFs also so it was good to see a few more Southern men on the Roar last year but the previous couple of years were lean weren't they mate?? So, in answer to your query - no, we Chiefs supporters didn't start turning up only when SBW did but gees, it is good to have him back......and please try to remember, we supporters will always be there even when, he wont be.
Clark
Guest
I thought Chiefs supporters only started turning up when SBW did. Heard nothing about them before that.
Chivas
Guest
Why. Because you say so? when your opinion means something I'll consider listening... Right now all it sounds like is another bleat... No need to start bleating so early like your friends above.
AndyS
Guest
Certainly Cruden looked out of sorts and the team need to take another close look at the game, but I wouldn't be pushing any panic buttons just yet. I think it was just one of those games that they need to re-examine, then give themselves a good shake and move on from with a renewed attitude. They're in the Republic for the next two weeks, so I can't imagine they'll need to be told to focus having the Stormers first up and watching them last night.
Old Bugger
Guest
Andy I have to disagree with you - Cruden's kicking didn't cost the Chiefs the match....what cost, was his and his team-mates absolute failure to use and execute any successful play from the mountain of possession and territory, they won. The Chiefs got harassed by a side that played with conviction; a side that ran on at the start to meet a Chiefs team that most pundits were tipping to go all the way; hence they would have nothing to lose and everything to gain if they ran off the paddock, with the spoils. And, that is exactly what they did. Cruden's loss of confidence will be a major concern for him and not really for his kicking but in his overall leadership and direction ability to direct the back line around the paddock. He was IMO uncharacteristically, out of sorts in this match. He will need to make a huge impression in SA if he is to remain on Hansen's radar. And if Gus Pulu doesn't shake off the white line fever bug he has, then he shouldn't feel aggrieved if his name doesn't get announced for RWC. His sniping runs are fine but he needs to show some thought before he runs and not just run for the sake of it.....then once he gets in behind the defence, he needs to pass the bloody ball to his outsides and back-up cos his job was done when he ran. And lastly, if the Chiefs have intentions of making the last 6, they need to improve their execution and exhibit an overwhelming sense of patience.....after all, it is a virtue that must be earned rather than expected, as we witnessed on Friday.
ben
Guest
Hey leicester and markie...im no chiefs supporter but i was wondering how many titles the highlanders have won compared to the chiefs? Just wondering.
Old Bugger
Guest
He didn't deserve being referred to as " numb nuts" mate but I guess that's how boys from the Deep South conduct a chin wag,
Leister Rutledge
Guest
Pull your head in Chivas
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Based on that game I would have to agree. Cruden was terrible all night not just his kicking. The centre was awful and Hosea gear did nothing to justify his starting pulu is so greedy. I thought the forwards were magnificent.
AndyS
Guest
I'd agree that the yellow card was overkill, but it was as much a penalty as the kick chase earlier in the game that saw the catcher grabbed a fraction early and gently lowered onto his feet. They were both pretty technical penalties, but what cost the Chiefs that game was Cruden's kicking.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
The highlanders were terrible. No attack at all. It's just the Chiefs butchered so many points that kept them in it
Old Bugger
Guest
That's the key - lifting.....nowhere is it a lifting tackle which is what the laws are trying to remove from the game. I would even be stretched to consider a reckless tackle considering Lowe was already airborne when Feks passed the ball and he used his arms in the tackle. Copy book stuff until Fek's jumped up. I agree with your point on reffing - that's another kiwi ref I have seen this year who has turned in a very inept match.
Chivas
Guest
Yeah the Highlanders got knocked out in better fashion. Like anyone cares. And dude, as a long time Chiefs and Waikato supporter I have seen many setbacks, but never seen a need to sit down because some goose from South told me to. As for cowbells, music to my ears -).
Chivas
Guest
Excellent, enjoy the moment then. Guarantee that Otago have faded by the time it gets to the pointy end. But by all means bask in these early moments. Of course it is close three games in.... the season runs for a lot longer than that numbnuts. Hope they haven't blown their load like yourself so early in the piece :-).
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
I think the yellow card given against the chiefs late in the game was another piece of disgraceful refereeing. I'm not surprised anymore as this terrible refereeing we are seeing, worldwide I might add, is now par for the course. I couldn't find a penalty offence in the tackle let alone a yellow card. I do however believe the lifting tackles are another matter; this was not a lifting tackle.
Cynical Play
Guest
I really enjoyed the game. It was a close, tough match and either team deserved to win. Well done to the Highlanders. I always enjoy watching Sonny Bill Williams play trying to see how he might be nullified in attack (ie trapping his arms with a body tackle to forbid the offloading). But I must say I do get surprised by his standoff method of defence. Sometimes I'm not even sure he has good defensive positional play at all. Anyway see how he develops.
Clark
Guest
Take your cowbell, sit down and take your loss. Also seem to recall the Highlanders got knocked out at the same time as the Chiefs last season (in possibly better fashion as they had to play the Sharks in Durban and only lost by 4)
markie362
Guest
It matters now numbnuts.every point in a close comp
Chivas
Guest
And the entire Chiefs pack is better than the Highlanders. I'd also rate Cruden and McKenzie as better than Sopoaga and Lowe I also rate. Ngati and Tom Marshall not as strong as Smith and Fekitoa, but right up there. On paper if you think Highlanders are in any way a match for the Chiefs, you are kidding.... Highlanders got lucky. Take the win, be proud and get ready for a long season... because the Highlanders won't be there when it matters :-)
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
Im inclined to agree, took 10 minutes of watching the USA game last year in his debut to figure that one out. Seems to be a bit of a glory hunter.