Chiefs
28
Match Complete
Highlanders
7
| D. McKenzie |  | 75 | ||
| S. Stevenson |  | 73 | ||
| 59 | | F. Burns | ||
| 58 | | M. Dawai | ||
| S. Finau | | 54 | ||
| S. Stevenson | | 51 | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 46 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 24 | ||
| E. Nanai-Seturo | | 5 |
| 4 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 3 of Super Rugby Pacific action begins with the Chiefs playing host to the Highlanders. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 5:0pm (AEDT).
Aaron Smith returns at halfback for the Highlanders and they’ll need all his experience to turn around a shocking record – they’ve lost 12 straight matches against their New Zealand rivals.
The Highlanders started with last year’s finalists the Blues and Crusaders, while the Chiefs are in strong form.
Coach Clarke Dermody has made a tweak to his side, recalling Mitch Hunt at fly-half and shifting for England playmaker Freddie Burns to fullback.
Smith’s return at half-back helps, but it is up front that the Highlanders will be tested against an explosive and intimidating pack.
The Chiefs have no shortage of All Blacks stars, with Samisoni Taukei’aho the in-form hooker of the competition while Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i offer height and power in the middle.
Pita Gus Sowakula drops back to the bench for Naitoa Ah Kuoi and joins Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson in a well balanced back-row.
Game information
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.05, Highlanders $12 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Sam Cane (c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Alex Nankivell, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Pita Gus Sowakula, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Rhys Marshall, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari-Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjies (c), Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Mosese Dawai, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado, Freddie Burns.
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Mau, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Kemara Hauiti Parapara, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Referee: Paul Williams
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Got it. This gives a whole level of meaning to the ‘other leg’ metaphor’ . https://wiki.lspace.org/Trousers_of_Time
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Nailed it about Billy, Leg. The Trousers of Time is a concept used by Terry Pratchett; highly recommended, the other science-fictional term is "sliding doors" (movie also recommended). Just be aware that there may be other Legs and other Trousers, depending on the path not taken. Consider if it's left leg or right leg first in the morning, and work from there.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
You stumped me at ‘alternative leg’. Very dishevelling to have relatives brought up publicly, without fair warning. But all good Ankle. Billy is an AB who needs a rest, without being an AB (who needs a rest).
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Billy Harmon. The All Black who is not an All Black. He's Schrodinger’s All Black. He's not allowed to play because he's (not) an All Black. :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Wha?!?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well Otago, that game was significant for another unmentioned reason from my armchair. We had a NZ derby, followed by an Oz derby, and for the first time in a long time we weren’t embarrassed by a dramatic drop in rugby quality. Others may differ and the transditch battles await, but that part of last night was refreshing for me, even if both results did not go the way I wished.
Faith
Roar Rookie
There were some really cringe moments from the Clan. Two players almost colliding to receive a bomb. Clearly open back line unable to just finish off tries. The Clan have always lacked the depth of the NZ sides but they've always had plucky game changers usually foreign players in the forwards. And they just don't have those two extra players. In retrospect losing Josh Ioana was disastrous. That Mosei winger has been a disaster. All other NZ teams have no 2-3 no.10 options that are better than Hunt in current form ... NZR need to intervene ...
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Great to see both teams staying out and mingle with the fans.
Decoy
Roar Rookie
Mr Burns not earning his keep yet, and de Groot looks ponderous around the paddock again.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
I can see some things the Highlanders can build on but injuries are starting to be a problem and players are not in sync with each other. Simple hard running from the wings and midfield I reckon. Set a target and keep the ball. I don't think we have more than that.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Note the word "More".
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Hunt great courage despite my critique of him.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Clinical not the word I'd use to describe us! :unhappy: :unhappy:
75
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Chiefs more clinical 2nd half, Highlanders bad handling from low confidence.
73
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Looks like they’re playing the 9 minute YC across the dutch
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Cane pretty unlucky, wasn't even offside and got carded!
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
Chiefs player laying all over the ball yet no penalty.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Good Waikato man.