Chiefs vs Highlanders
The bottom of the table clash was played at FMG Stadium Waikato and featured a Chiefs side returning from a bye week desperate for a win and a Highlanders team looking for some extra points to potentially crawl further up the table.
The away side didn’t start well as Mitchell Hunt’s kickoff was too short and the Chiefs got an immediate scrum on the halfway line. Some brilliant, high speed attack was then showcased by the Hamilton team before in the 5th minute flanker Lachlan Boshier charged through the ‘Landers defensive line unmarked to score under the posts- 7-0.
This good attacking play continued as soon after centre Anton Lienert-Brown received a great inside ball from fullback Damian McKenzie to score-14-0. Rob Thompson of the Highlanders was then sent to the sin bin for a marginal high shot and Damian McKenzie converted the penalty- 17-0 after only 15 minutes.
The unexpected start by the Chiefs was extended by hooker Bradley Slater who scored from a rolling maul- 24-0. In the thirtieth minute though, Marino Mikaele Tu’u scored one back for his team as he crashed over from short range. This was followed up by some great attacking play by the away side but at half time the scores were still standing at 24-7.
After the break, the Chiefs scored again through Slater from a driving maul, taking the scores to 31-7. The Highlanders clearly had a strong talking to from coach Aaron Mauger at the break though, as they began their fight back. First, Mitch Hunt burst through the line to score on the wing after some great build up play- 31-12. Then in the 56th minute, scrum-half Aaron Smith scored a great try next to the posts- 31-19.
A McKenzie try was ruled out for a knock on earlier in the play, and the Highlanders took advantage of this let-off as they gained momentum in the Chiefs 22′. Boshier stopped an initial Highlanders surge with a key turnover but winger Jonah Nareki burned through the the home side’s defence to score in the 75th minute- 31-26.
The kick off followed but the ‘Landers made their way back up the field, only to be denied again by a Boshier turnover. There was still time left though, and in the 80th minute way after the buzzer had gone, centre Sio Tomlinson burst through off a great Smith pass to score under the posts. Hunt added the conversion and the Highlanders clinched it at the death for the second time against the Chiefs in the tournament. FT- Chiefs 31-33 Highlanders
The Chiefs had a devastating end to the game as the Highlanders repeated their first effort against them and clinched the game at the death. The Hamilton side have now lost five consecutive games and are on track for last place in the competition, unless something drastic changes. The Highlanders gain some points though and will be looking to chase the Hurricanes down to claim 3rd place in the tournament.
