The Highlanders and the Chiefs both came off victories in their previous matches. A win on Saturday would help both teams in the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition. Boy, oh boy, did this match deliver or what?
The Chiefs scored the first points on the back of a try from Etene Nanai-Seturo in the corner in the fifth minute. Damian McKenzie converted the subsequent conversion to give the Chiefs a 7-0 lead.
However, the home side hit back through a try from James Lentjes. The Highlanders hit back with a brilliant set-piece play. Lentjes pulled off a dummy that sent the Chiefs’ defence the wrong way, and he crashed over the line in the tenth minute. Mitch Hunt missed the conversion.
It looked like the Chiefs hit back, but the TMO ruled no try as McKenzie had knocked the ball on in mid-air. Last week’s star performer Hunt was not having a good night with the tee, and he missed his third penalty to go along with the missed conversion. McKenzie extended in the score to 10-5 in added time.
The second half saw some instant action with the Highlanders levelling the scores at 10-10 in the 42nd minute. The try came on the back of an excellent set-piece play from the line-out that saw Aaron Smith cross the line. Shannon Frizell assisted Smith for the try. Hunt again missed the conversion for the Highlanders.
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
McKenzie converted a penalty to give the Chiefs the lead once again with the score at 13-10 in the 46th minute. In reply, Hunt finally landed his first successful kick of the game, with a penalty in the 55th minute, to level the scores at 13-13.
Both teams continued to trade penalties as the Chiefs once again got back in the lead with a successful McKenzie penalty in the 57th minute. Angus Ta’avao took the lead to 21-13 when he crossed the chalk on the back of an excellent pass from McKenzie in the 61st minute. The star playmaker also converted the try to give the Chiefs a 23-13 lead.
Josh Ioane scored a vital try. Smith executed a brilliant pass to Ioane, who saw the gap in the defence and went over the chalk, and Ioane then converted the try. The score was 23-20 with ten minutes left. Ioane then converted a penalty to have the scores level at 23-23 with just three minutes left in normal time.
McKenzie won the game after the siren, but his drop goal attempt went to the right of the sticks. However, he made up for it in the end, when he sealed the deal in the first half of golden point extra time with a successful penalty kick. The star playmaker gave the Chiefs their third consecutive win.
The star for the Chiefs was fullback Damian McKenzie. The Chiefs’ star made seven carries for 75 metres, beat one defender, made one clean break, made 16 passes, scored 16 points, and made three tackles.
Next week, the Highlanders face the Blues at home on Friday. The Chiefs play the Crusaders at home on Saturday.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Jacko, I always thought Gregory would handle that position, through being a quite accomplished Sevens player. Like I remember the first time I saw him in the Seven's was in HK, & even though he was new, he showed how good he was, as the tournament progressed. But Mate I'm no fan of this yellow point garbage. Why change something that's been in place, virtually since ' time began'. A draw is IMO, part of the game.
Yeah should have had it wrapped up prior to the 80th minute I reckon but the Highlanders just kept coming…At 10 points up it should have been done and dusted but 10 aint enough in the last 10 mins these days…..I enjoyed seeing Gregory at 12 too Muzzo…He played well in a position I really didnt think suited him….. Yeah I wouldnt have been happy with a draw but thats what it was so why not let it stand….If they want a 90 min game make it 2 x 45 min halves not this Extra time BS that only ever makes 1 side happy and is a bit of a lottery….In both games if they had played 5 more mins the result probably would have changed so either play 10 mins extra or embrace the draw….Golden point is too circumstancial to me and it often comes down to lucky bounces or who kicks off…..
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh pretty right there moa, as with the injection of Ioane, the game did change. Like Hunt, from hero one week to zero the next.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hey Jacko. you won it!! It isn't that bad Bro!. Even though it was the ridiculous yellow point, rule. Two games in Aotearoa, both with this stupid scenario. Haven't we had the draw system in place for over a century, & now they bring this in. ffs.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
My bar is set quite low cos I'm comparing it to SR AU :laughing: Watch the Force v Rebels game and you'll know what I mean. Highlanders/Chiefs at least put some good tries on and DMac is always great to watch imo.
Ben Okeefe just does not like the Chiefs.....The kicker advancing penalties are one thing but why wernt the Highlanders players being penalised for doing the same thing? Also why was he standing in the path of the HBs passes? twice Webber had to stop his pass and readjust and it cost the Chiefs both times and also the throwing to the lineout was crooked a fair bit but he only found a crooked throw by the Chiefs. Okeefe is a very average ref at best and these new rules or the reffing of them isnt providing a better game its actually making more stopages and there seems to be more ref errors in the last 2 years than I can remember previously.....Maybe its just that we only see a few refs and not seeing all the non NZ guys also.... Any wins a good win but both sides didnt play well...
adam smith
Guest
Agreed Moa, happy to get the win...but a great/good game it was not.
moaman
Roar Guru
If you really think this was a "great, high-quality" game Waxhead, your bar is set quite low. I saw a lot of lateral running and aimless passing and kicking from the Highlanders in particular. There were also numerous avoidable penalties for silly stuff--I mean, how hard is it to know that you shouldn't advance upfield until your kicker puts you onside??!!!??? I watched it slightly delayed so I could fast-forward through the reset scrums and general time-wasting watching Hunt and McKenzie staring at goalposts......made it bearable, at least.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Neel Yes, it was another great high quality game in NZ. Compare this game to the rubbish served up by Force and Rebels on Friday night. SR NZ bottom teams are clearly a huge step above Australia's atm :thumbup: