The Super Rugby finals are here and tonight sees a New Zealand blockbuster between the Highlanders and the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm AEST.
Super Rugby finals means no second chances and make no mistake this game where the winner has the chance to face the Waratahs next week will live up to its billing.
There are All Blacks all over the field but there will be no bigger contest tonight than Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa, both outstanding centres who this year have had enthralling battles when their sides have faced each other.
Make no mistake though the Highlanders with the home ground advantage will be tough to beat, they have won four consecutive games at home with three of those by 18 points or more.
Both sides will be looking to atone for last year’s defeats in their respective qualifiers where both went down by less than five points in their games.
However this Chiefs side knows how to win at the pointy end of the season, they have won five of their eight games when they have made it to the post-season. While you would have to go back to the 1999 semi final to see the last time the Highlanders won in the finals, their only win in six attempts.
It could be an omen though as that game was played in Dunedin.
The Highlanders have been a force in attack this year scoring a try in every game this year, while the only game the Chiefs didn’t score in was in Round 16 when they played the Highlanders.
In that game the Highlanders managed to keep the Chiefs to their lowest metres gained, defenders beaten and clean breaks for a game this season.
Prediction
A tight and willing contest here but I still believe the Chiefs are missing the class of Aaron Cruden.
Highlanders by 3.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Thanks HJ :)
Highlander
Guest
Rib Cartilage - return unsure, but you are right, we need him back, Evan's wont disgrace himself if he starts but Hardie is genuinely tough and against the Tahs big boppas that will be needed. Ever than one of those injuries? - hurts to even breathe
Old Bugger
Guest
Cheers RT but in all honesty, it was all Highlanders and there can be no excuses from Rennie & Co. The eye-opener for me was the landers magnificent defence. If someone missed then his mate would tackle....it was relentless and to that end, it was the game-turner for me. Well done and now its over to Sydney.....can someone tell me what's wrong with John Hardie?? I think the Landers will need him back now that Pryor could be sidelined.
Old Bugger
Guest
That really was "a string in his bow" display by Azza and I agree, he will enjoy knowing that he has that choice of Naholo or Savea to run down the blind.....a magnificent display from the little bloke. His game management and speed across the paddock will open-up the ABs game tactics so it will all come down to ruck ball return speed, counter rucking and ball movement to shift the point of contact amongst the big boys. Just like the U-20s this morning, a strong, committed and continuous defence plus attacking the rucks will be beneficial to the ABs to overcome forward orientated sides in the RWC. The Jnr ABs IMO, also overcame the English line out maul on numerous occasions to the extent they won a penalty by initially, standing off and not committing and then, sacking the maul causing the English pack to pass the ball back and creating a truck&trailer impact against themselves. Jnr ABs still thinking on their feet to turn the tables on the monster English pack. Perhaps a footprint for the ABs when tackling the opposing test packs in RC and RWC??
Old Bugger
Guest
Where's Hardie?? If both these guys are out next week could make life real difficult for the Landers. Fingers x-ed JH is back next week to at least compete against Hooper.
Sandy B
Guest
told yers!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Good luck today Harry, sorry to hear that Schalk Burger failed his fitness test...
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Commiserations OB... to be honest I felt your boys were marginally superior in the first half, the 9-8 scoreline not really reflecting how the game went. But second half was decisively the reverse, the defence of the Highlanders suffocated our boys. Rennie might have regretted selecting Horrell but I guess it is not fair to single him out but got to say the points he left out on the paddock was telling in the end. You guys missed Cruden. Webber played good I thought, tried hard but the masterclass performance by his opposite, Aaron Smith was breathtaking. A good game to watch ... fast paced and exhilarating, a few errors of course but non stop stuff.... a few of the big boys were sucking in the big ones ... there is alway next year!
Harry Jones
Expert
Fantastic blog, champ! Loved it
Ronaldo
Guest
Terrific match. A. Smith played a great match. L. Sopoaga not far behind & great on goal. Gutsy effort from Otago eight & their subs. Don't know who will play the Tahs but if it's the Highanders it will be a hell of a match but I think that SANZAR's appointment of the officials for Newlands means it will be the Stormers unfortunately. Cheika has the Tahs really working hard this week ... They will be ready no matter who they play. Highlanders have improved a lot this year.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
There were some exciting passages like the first 10 minutes after half time. I don't know why you keep on persisting about the quality of the game.
Debz
Guest
It says it depends on ranking but does that mean the competition points or the conference crap?
PiratesRugby
Guest
Great to see the Highlanders get up. Always seemed to be the poor cousin of NZ rugby. Playing with speed and adventure. Thanks for your call.
Noodles
Guest
Here's a reason ZG: it's a game. It's play. That's the fun of it. If you're only interested in winning go watch some pommy roundball. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
wardad
Guest
Bugger eh ? Oh well go Landers !
Hokonui
Guest
Top game from both sides......Smith the difference on attack.......love the way they hammer each other as if there's no tomorrow. Some deserving calls for an AB shirt there tonight....
Morsie
Guest
His hand speed is truly something very special.
Highlander
Guest
Thanks mate, no voice left, fingers just thawed out to type, it's was damn cold in there tonight
Highlander
Guest
Congrats on the season OB Very messy tonight I thought, we struggled with Mr Pollock early in the piece Chiefs made great advantage with the pick and go, but seemed to lack patience to keep it up. Aaron Smith the difference overall Huge noise in the stadium tonight but almost zero travelling support for your guys which was a bit disappointing I heard today that both sides had used 39 players so far the season, have no idea if that's correct or if it's out of line but it's seems a big number
Taylorman
Guest
Okay then...I hear Justin's Marshalls reasons for the brumbies getting up versus the Stormers are because they won't like the way the Saders beat them! Some logic that is... Obviously we want the Brumbies to win that one...can't really see it but no Vermulens certainly helps...