It was glorious at times, but only at times. The Chiefs never really looked threatened, but Sam Cane’s men made hard work of putting away the lowly Highlanders in Hamilton.
In the end the Chiefs came away with a bonus point 28-7 victory, but the scoreline didn’t quite reflect the home side’s dominance. If only they had been able to take their chances.
Indeed, the Chiefs did their best to throw the match away.
They led only 8-0 at half-time, with one gloriously taken try to Etene Nanai-Seturo try in the sixth minute.
But for the rest of the half they made linebreaks and then either dropped the ball cold or kicked it away. It was as if the Chiefs were playing to keep their season alive by having to improve an already marvellous for-and-against. It was helter-skelter stuff but little came off.
Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson were the two major culprits.
Damian McKenzie’s game had a bit of everything against the Highlanders in Hamilton, New Zealand. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
Both men dazzled but frustrated too.
It was like they’d been given the keys to a Ferrari but hadn’t been behind a wheel in years.
If it was an All Blacks selection, crosses would have been put next to their names by Ian Foster and Joe Schmidt.
Control deserted them and for McKenzie, particularly, that crucial aspect to Test rugby has long been his Achilles heel. A brilliant ball-running utility back, there are few players on the planet who can do what “D-Mac” can do. But the jury is still out on whether he’s a fly-half or fullback, especially at Test level.
Stevenson, meanwhile, contributed to the Chiefs’ inability to retain possession in the first-half as he kicked the ball ahead rather than retaining the possession and going again.
In the end, two tries in three minutes early in the second half saw the Chiefs pull away. The two five-pointers came after the Chiefs chose to hold onto the ball and recycle quickly.
“We came up against a Highlanders side that was pretty desperate and we knew their first two weeks weren’t a true reflection of where they’re at as a team,” captain Sam Cane said.
“So we were expecting a real tough battle and I think that’s exactly what we got. That first 50 minutes was a real arm wrestle. They defended extremely well, forced us into mistakes and we just couldn’t quite get enough points on the board for the possession that we had.
“We managed to score a couple of quick ones but again they stayed in it. It was a typical Highlanders team, very gritty.”
Chiefs forward Naitoa Ah Kuoi is tackled by the Highlanders on March 10, 2023, in Hamilton. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
The Chiefs were given a fright when Sam Cane was yellow carded for a dubious off-side call. Making matters worse winger Mosese Dawai powered his way past McKenzie and over the line to score the Highlanders’ first.
But after blowing another opportunity soon after, Stevenson’s second ensured the Chiefs managed to come away with the bonus point.
“Rugby can be a simple game when you get the fundamentals right,” Cane said.
“When our set-piece is humming and when our carry, clean game is really sharp we’ve got guys that can find space. Pretty pleased with some of the tries we scored tonight.”
Acting Highlanders captain James Lentjes lamented his side’s inability to hold onto the ball.
“Half-time, obviously, down eight-nil. We thought we hadn’t even had a chance to fire a shot,” he said.
“We defended for 40 minutes and then we almost came out with a bit of a breeze. I just think we spent too much energy and in the second half they got early points and we let their outsides get too much time on the ball and they just ripped us apart really.
“I don’t think that yellow card (to Test flanker Shannon Frizell) helped. We’re just making errors. Every time we’re building pressure – it’s been the story of our season – we’re making errors and then we’re letting all the pressure off and they playing on top of us.”
CUW
Roar Rookie
what experience - look at the champion crusaders - without their allblacks they are nothing same with hurricanes and highlanders chiefs and blues have a nice experienced roster as for people leaving after a world cup - guys like proctor , collins , et al went well in the middle of a world cup cycle. crusaders lost guys like Bridge Hall Dalzell - who had lots of matches under their belts.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep but Josh Dickson did very well last night SM!
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Yip, I'm wondering what he wants to do? His dad Joe went to King's High in Dunedin but didn't actually play rugby there till he moved to Cromwell. Not saying he is a must pick for either team but he is worth a phone call from both coaches.
Single Malt
Guest
Muzzo, for three games the Highlanders line-out has been a lottery. Someone (Tom Donnelly?) needs to look in the mirror.
Single Malt
Guest
Ainsley is a NZer. He comes from Cromwell and went to OBHS. I remember seeing him playing back then. His dad is Joe McDonnell so he is definitely Maori. I can't see why he wouldn't be available for both NZ and Oz, but I might be missing something.
Single Malt
Guest
CUW, Super rugby comes first. SR players who play NPC have weeks off between the end of NPC and the start of SR. So that's not an excuse for SR players. Most also have a decent break between SR and NPC. I don't think it's an issue. If it was, the powerful NZ players union would be on to it. The Highlanders woes are self-inflicted. They haven't recruited decent backs for the last three or four years. There are backs on the bench in the other 4 franchises who would hose into the Highlanders starting team.
Andrew Nichols
Guest
Can you afford this at test level? Well yes....look at the howlers by the incumbents at test level?
Andrew Nichols
Guest
Is there any such beast as a peffect 10? Mounga has similarly made collossal unforced errors this season principally kicks out on the full, missed penalty line kicks.duffed kickoffs...and as for Barrett, he's just degenerated beyond belief..yet neitherof these latter ever seems to get the same amt kf detraction as McKenzie. Why's that?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh OB as that's one of the many problems the Landers seemingly have, in lack of fundamental basics, & possibly lack of correct direction from the coaching hierarchy. That in itself possibly has something to do with the injury list. But as it is, I'm not too impressed Bro!
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Speaking of props, are the Wallabies interested in Ainsley? I think he might be qualified for NZ now. I think he has Maori ancestry an could play for MAB.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Appalling last sentence by me, must of been asleep still. Do the Highlanders need clarity of direction?
Pedro
Roar Rookie
Christy nice article. McKenzie is a mystery. So far this season has looked like a million bucks, he is actually very good at tactical kicking, then bang mistakes start reappearing. Can you afford this at test level? Stevenson, we can forgive a few mistakes, because he is so involved in play, also he has the ability to set up players outside him which most wingers lack, but best of all he possesses rugby intelligence a.k.a. James Lowe.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Muzz, an injured side isn't ridiculous - it's par for the course and I should know from the seasons under Rennie, when the Chiefs had an injury list over 2-3 seasons that had folks guessing who was next out of the nursery, to run-on in a debut Chiefs jersey. And Cane was right - "Rugby is a simple game when you get the fundamentals right." The Chiefs back-line threw the fundamental basics out the window and tried to play, a game of scrag or hotch-potch footy of running everywhere but rarely, toward the try-line. There is a definitive need for the Chiefs, to go back and play the fundamental basics first, before throwing them out the window.....even if it takes 79mins, to do so.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Agree Bf....in my mind, the only players missing from their top pack were MMT and Harmon - one injured and one on stand-down which I thought, was a bloody joke. Perhaps Makalio also. And I'll say it again - TUJ doesn't do enough on the paddock for my liking. If you compare his effort with Poihipi's, then one engine stuttered while the other, was like a non-stop battery. Nothing spectacular from RP but gees, he looks the goods for me as replacement, when Nank's leaves.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
It is the All Blacks' first choice loosehead against an Ireland discard!
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
I think you're mistaken. Most teams have a good mix of experienced players with newbies, who have been in the squad for a couple of years but are only just gaining their debut game, this year. You'll find most new intakes occur after an RWC but coaches will rarely debut them, until mid-RWC cycle to give the debutantes, a couple of seasons to play alongside the more experienced, squad members. Then, after the next RWC, another player transition will occur and the cycle, repeats itself. As long as NZR maintains the competitions from high school rugby through age-based selections then NPC and onto SR selections, the so-called lack of experience you suggest, would balance itself out over the next RWC cycle. You can't expect experience to appear every time a new player debuts. Like most objectives, these are works-in-progress.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Is it hesitancy that makes you more prone to a big hit or awkward movements that you gather more injuries? Need the Highlanders need clarity of direction?
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Well said Coker, Stevenson was very good once again.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep when the game became easier for the Chiefs was in the 50th minute when Frizell was sent to the bin. The Landers pack played well in the set pieces & the tight as Josh Dickson pushed Brodie all the way. Even Ethan de Groot had the better of the Chiefs Irish international player, as he out propped him. The worrying part of the Landers ATM, is their rising numbers of top players out through injury as it’s getting far beyond ridiculous.
Bluesfan
Thought the Highlanders pack went really well and took it to a very good Chiefs 8, where they fell down is in their backline where they are missing some magic. If they can find that they will really trouble some teams this year. For the Chiefs - would not be surprised if they go all the way.