The Chiefs have beaten the Highlanders 27 to 22 in a tense, close match up this evening in Hamilton.
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Final score
Chiefs 27
Highlanders 22
The in-form Chiefs take on the Highlanders in this exciting Kiwi clash to kick off Round 7 of the Super Rugby competition. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT.
In the past two games the Chiefs have scored over 100 points and have looked in great form. While 61 of these points did come against the Sunwolves last week who might be seen as a soft target, the potency of the Chiefs attack should not be underestimated.
McKenzie is looking good at 10 and while he still needs to prove himself against the very best to be considered a genuinely good fly half, he is gaining in confidence and will start this week’s game in good form having scored 26 points last week.
It will be a great chance to see two of the pretenders to Beauden Barrett’s crown going head to head as McKenzie comes up against Sopoaga.
While McKenzie definitely has the form on his side, Sopoaga has the benefit of playing with Aaron Smith who does so much to give his half back partner space and time.
The Highlanders are coming off their first loss of the season having gone down to the Hurricanes last week. But they weren’t torn to pieces against their rivals and played well for much of the game.
Both sides have made changes from their previous match but you have to say that the Chiefs are getting the better end of these changes with Liam Messam returning to their back row, Weber back at NO.9 and Sean Wainui back on the wing where he’s been impressive.
The Highlanders meanwhile have had to make a couple of switches down to injury of front line players.
Prediction
This really does look like a mouth watering game. Each side has strengths over their opposition – the Chiefs back row is impressive and overall they probably take the forward battle.
But the half backs for the Highlanders are world class and if they can control the game then that will give the visitors a real chance.
Overall though the Chiefs have the edge and with the momentum and home advantage should just edge this one.
Chiefs to win by 7 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT.
double agent
Guest
How does the ref miss Leinert Brown grounding the ball in his own in goal after the illegal turnover from Cane at the 78 minute mark?
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Match Report The Chiefs have beaten the Highlanders 27 to 22 in a tense, close match up this evening in Hamilton. In the build up to the match fans from all over were sharing their excitement for what promised to be a fantastic clash. Two sides full of talent who both want and expect to feature in the business end of the competition would surely put on a rugby masterclass for all to enjoy! The first half was perhaps not as free flowing as anticipated though. The Chiefs had huge amounts of possession but couldn’t convert that into the points they would have wanted to. They took points early with two penalty goals but lacked some of the crisp execution that they they needed. McKenzie blew hot and cold - sometimes making simple handling errors and then exploiting tiny gaps with his pace and elusive running. The Highlanders soaked up a fair amount of pressure and struck perfectly when they did have a genuine chance. A perfectly weighted chip from the centre Thompson was picked up by Naholo and he ran it in for the opening score of the game. The Chiefs continued to have possession but it wasn’t until the last moments of the first half when they turned this into more points - and what a way to do it. A nice kick wide to the wing from McKenzie was patted back by Wainui as he jumped high in the air and Alaimalo was able to take advantage of the acrobatic move and stroll in to score. The Chiefs then really pushed ahead early in the second half when Harris scored after just four minutes. It looked like these crucial scores either side of half time could break the spirit of the Highlanders but they fought back well. Tries from Li and Tomkinson gave them back the lead and the game was building to great tense finish. Things stayed tense as the Chiefs re took the lead with a try from Wainui that McKenzie converted with great calmness and despite a lot of opportunity to score again the Highlanders squandered too many opportunities and couldn’t score any further points. The Chiefs will be very happy with the win although perhaps not as happy with the performance. Too many handling errors will annoy them and while McKenzie was good in places he showed that he still has a lot to learn about playing #10 against strong opposition. The Highlanders will be disappointed - they could have won this one. Losing Sopoaga so early in the game didn’t help but hopefully he’s not out for long. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact this game has these teams for the rest of the season.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Full Time 80' - Sam Cane celebrates his 100th match with an important win for the Chiefs over the Highlanders 27 to 22. It was a tense and close finish and the Highlanders really had chances to get the win but in the end they couldn't find that final score. The Chiefs will be happy and relieved with this win. It wasn't the free flowing game we imagined but it was an exciting match. Full match report to come. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
80' - The hooter sounds and the Chiefs clear it into the stands the home side get a very hard earned victory! Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
79' - Highlanders have given away too much ball in these closing moments and the Chiefs surely will be able to keep possession and end the game. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
78' - Tense finish here - the Highlanders loose their own line out and the Chiefs clear their lines. That was a big win from the Chiefs at the line out! Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Penalty 77' - Highlanders scrum on the 5 metre line - 3 minutes to go. They really need to score here as the clock keeps ticking down. They win the scrum and have two crashes at the line but then the Chiefs get the ball back and clear their lines! Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Penalty 75' - Th Highlanders are up to the 2 metre mark and keeping trying to punch a hole through. Chiefs keep flying in and doing everything they can to scramble. Ref gives the scrum to the Highlanders as the ball gets lost. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Highlander
Guest
Really try not to whinge about the officials, but jeez Jackson, every year the same.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Penalty 74' - Highlanders have the line out just inside the Chiefs 22. They take the ball well and try and get the maul moving. It goes nowhere so they start to go through the hands. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Penalty 74' - Chiefs have it on their own 10 metre line and the box kick goes up. The Highlanders put it through the backs' hands and make good ground down their right wing. The ball comes back infield and the Highlanders get the penalty as the Chiefs don't roll away. Highlanders go for the corner. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
72' - But a mistake from the Highlanders gives the Chiefs the scrum. They are on their own 22 in the middle of the field. 8 minutes to go. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
70' - So we're into the final 10 minutes and this game is all to play for. Highlanders have a scrum on the Chiefs 10 metre line and they surge forward. Good metres gained from each phase and they are just outside the 22. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Conversion 70' - Very nicely done from McKenzie - he's been a bit off in this second half but that was a very calm conversion from the side line to stretch his team's lead to 5. Chiefs: 27 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Try 68' - Very nicely worked by the Chiefs - total composure throughout all those phases and the Highlanders just couldn't disrupt the ball. Eventually Wainui had a bit of work to do but he finished it well and slid in for this key score. Chiefs: 25 Highlanders: 22
Cantab
Guest
Yip, but it’s such a key position and their other fit options are rubbish.
Dennis Hopper Jr.
Guest
Good of the Chiefs to bring their own ref. The Canes did the same thing last week. Pig Island hospitality, chur bro.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
67' - Chiefs are up to the 5 metre line and searching for this key score. Good ball retention and they are up to 10 phases. Chiefs: 20 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
66' - Chiefs have the ball and are keeping it in the forwards to try and gain some metres. Chiefs: 20 Highlanders: 22
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Penalty 65' - Chiefs get a penalty and a chance to clear their lines. McKenzie hits it into touch and they have a line out on the half way line. Chiefs: 20 Highlanders: 22