Chiefs
23
Match Complete
Highlanders
39
| 70 |  | J. Ioane | ||
| 68 |  | J. Nareki | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 65 | ||
| 57 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 56 | | J. Nareki | ||
| 53 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 52 | | S. Frizell | ||
| 50 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 49 | | F. Fakatava | ||
| 32 | | J. Nareki | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 29 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 28 | ||
| 25 | | J. Ioane | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 21 | ||
| L. Jacobson | | 20 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 14 | ||
| 9 | | J. Ioane | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 1 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Chiefs will be hoping for a more successful 2021 than their last season as their begin their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign against the Highlanders at home. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm (AEDT).
It was a downright miserable 2020 for the Chiefs, who went the entire Super Rugby Aotearoa season without a win despite coming into the year as one of the strongest Kiwi sides on paper.
Today, they have the chance to ensure we won’t see a repeat of that this year when they host the Highlanders. The Dunedin outfit, however, look a far better side than the one which took to the field last year, properly testing the Crusaders in their season opener.
With Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Brad Weber and Bryn Gatland – who kicked a game-winning field goal for the Landers when these two clashed in Round 1 last year – all lining up in the backline, there’s no shortage of attacking class in the Chiefs’ XV. The question will be whether they can match it up front with the Highlanders beyond the efforts of co-captain and openside flanker Sam Cane.
For the visitors, scrumhalf Aaron Smith moves to the bench, with Folau Fakatava coming into the XV. Keep an eye on the matchup at 10 between Josh Ioane and Gatland, two first-fives really trying to establish themselves in New Zealand rugby.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.65, Highlanders $2.24 (odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs
(15-1): Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill
Bench: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Xavier Roe, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson
Highlanders
(15-1): Mitchell Hunt, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Folau Fakatava, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Jack Regan, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (c), Daniel Lienert-Brown
Bench: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith (c), Solomon Alaimalo, Hugh Renton
Joe
Roar Rookie
Best performance from Jona Nareki I've ever seen. He went supernova in this game. Seems to have put on some muscle and added a power game to his attacking arsenal.
Somer
Guest
That's a good mix with the exception of Frizzell who's shown he's not up to Test level and Squire who lacks the mental focus to reach his potential. Cane's a must at 7, Sotutu at 8 and Ioane at 6. Jacobson should be the next cab off the rank if Sotutu or Ioane don't shine. Ardie off the bench.
smoothy
Roar Rookie
Finally someone has said it. He’s looked pretty good, and it’s great that he’s made his way back into Super Rugby. But it’s the second week in a row that the commentators are acting as though the journeyman 20 mins he’s had was blockbusting, game-winning stuff?! It would be a poor sign of mis-trust towards our young guys - and of our true ‘quality’ of depth, if the selectors feel the need to rush him back into the ABs without definitely outplaying the new incumbents!
Harry Jones
Expert
I think that was called “running amok.”
CUW
Roar Rookie
seems JN is going to have a Sevu Reece season :D but i wonder if he is marked for NZ 7S for Olympics ??
CUW
Roar Rookie
wondering why they have selection issues early season sean wainui in centers did not help the cause. definitely missed the grunt of sowakula as many experts said preseason their 2nd rowers are too green - if one goes down they have nothing in the shed. somenone had said crusaders have too many 2nd rowers and one shud have gone to chiefs - ignoring the fact that there are kiwi guys playing in aussy teams !!!
CUW
Roar Rookie
Grace may be good but is yet to show anything better than the many 3rd rowers. Akira Ioane and Tom Robinson from Blues Frizzell and Squire from Highlanders Jacobson from chiefs Even SAnders at crusaders
CUW
Roar Rookie
10
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Cane is probably the best of the lot, but I am not sure he is what the ABs need at the moment. The ABs needs a ruthless head coach now who can make some really tough calls, hence something gotta give in order to create a free-flowing and harmonic AB side (especially in the back row and in the midfield, get those two right and the rest will follow).
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Nah, I thought the Clan should have beaten the Saders last week if they just have played a tiny bit smarter. I seriously doubt the Chiefs will be whitewashed this season too, the Clan are a good team (and they have yet not played several of their star players; NMS and Himeno comes to mind).
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
You repeating the exact same thing you have already written doesn't make it true. Refs are indeed part of rugby, but you know exactly what I mean.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Those passes were NOT borderline, they were forward. And that aerial tackle was exactly that; an aerial tackle. Which is what the laws are trying to stamp out. And I did have something nice to say about the ref in the second half (BTW: refs are part of the rugby; can't have a game without refs!); see my latter post.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Wow, the Chiefs well beaten again. Is that 10 or 11 in a row ??
Faith
Roar Rookie
Chiefs seem to have the smame problem as last year. Burn too hot and cold over 80 mins. I love the Clan but if they are beating up the Chiefs this way, the Saders and Blues who have much more power could blow them out. Also, what is it with beginning of season injuries at the Chiefs.
Faith
Roar Rookie
There's also Dalton who is quite good. Very fast. I would go with starting: Cane (7), Grace (6) and Ardie (8) and bring on Sotutu and Ioane and leave Cane or Ardie on at 7. Frizell and Jacobson as injury cover. I doubt Squire will go back to what he once was.
Faith
Roar Rookie
I don't think Squire will go back to his best
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Cane’s got to be there for the big arm wrestles vs the Boks, England etc, Ardie huge impact from the bench or for additional go forward from the start against the ‘smaller’ teams. Plenty of guys on the fringes, great depth.
Highlander
Roar Guru
I like that Jacobson and Grace got to step up this year, both have huge upside Although none is switching with Cane, #noardieatseven
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
6. Squire, 7. Cane, 8. Sotutu with Ardie on the bench (or switching with Cane depending on the opposition).
Marlin
Roar Rookie
The first one was borderline the 2nd was blatantly forward, NV