The Chiefs held on to a 27-22 win over the Highlanders in a tough New Zealand Super Rugby derby match at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton tonight.
FULLTIME - CHIEFS 27 HIGHLANDERS 22
The Chiefs showed great composure to force two line-out turnovers in the last two minutes of the match. Chiefs' reserve back Charlie Ngatai kicks the ball into touch after the siren sounded to get the job done for the home team.
76 mins - CHIEFS 27 HIGHLANDERS 22
Last four minutes of the match and the Highlanders have an attacking scrum five metres out from the Chiefs' goal line. A big moment in the match, the Chiefs showed great defence to hold out the visitors.
69 mins - CHIEFS 27 HIGHLANDERS 22
TRY! After relentless attack from the Chiefs Sean Wainui crosses over to score down the left hand corner for the home team.
Damian McKenzie bangs over another conversion from the sideline.
63 mins - CHIEFS 20 HIGHLANDERS 22
TRY! Damian McKenzie's clearance kick hits his own player and Ash Dixon regathers the ball inside the Chiefs' 22. The Highlanders recognise they have an overlap and it is Patelesio Tomkinso who punches onto gap after a perfect pop pass from Luke Whitelock and the Highlanders hit the lead.
Fletcher Smith lands the conversion from easy range.
60 mins - CHIEFS 20 HIGHLANDERS 15
A big mistake by the Chiefs as Damian McKenzie's kick from kick-off goes out on a full. The Chiefs have a scrum at halfway.
58 mins - CHIEFS 20 HIGHLANDERS 15
THREE! Fletcher Smith closes the gap with an easy penalty kick at goal after replacement loose forward Lachlan Boshier was penalised for a holding onto the ball in the ruck.
50 mins - CHIEFS 20 HIGHLANDERS 12
TRY! Aaron Smith spots the space out left and throws a big skip pass to Tevita Li who dives over the try-line untouched to get his side back into the match.
Fletcher Smith misses his attempt at goal from out wide.
44 mins - CHIEFS 20 HIGHLANDERS 7
A good lead up run from Damian McKenzie as breaks through several tackles before being taken down five metres from the try-line. Chiefs' hooker Nathan Harris finds his way over the try-line and extends his side's lead.
Damian McKenzie lands the conversion.
42 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
A frantic start, just as it looked like the Highlanders were going to score the Chiefs show off their offloading game and power their way down to the Highlanders' 22. Highlanders are under pressure early on the second half.
40 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
And we are back underway! Damian McKenzie kicks off short to the Highlanders.
HALFTIME - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
A pretty scrappy first half, the Chiefs had most of the possession of the ball and should be leading by more. Poor passing and mistakes cost the home side try scoring opportunities. A big blow for the Highlanders as they lost Lima Sopoaga in the first five minutes of the match with a leg injury.
39 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
TRY! Great attacking play from the Chiefs. Damian McKenzie puts in a cross field kick which Toni Pulu catches and in one motion he offloads to Solomon Alaimalo and the Chiefs hit the front.
Damian McKenzie slots the conversion from the sideline and the Chiefs lead by six points at halftime.
35 mins - CHIEFS 6 HIGHLANDERS 7
SCRUM! The Highlanders have a scrum inside their own 22 after another Chiefs mistake. The Chiefs' passing game is letting them down after another ball hits the deck. The Highlanders are let off the hook.
30 mins - CHIEFS 6 HIGHLANDERS 7
Just as the Chiefs looked like they were in good attacking position the Highlanders defence force Brodie Retallick to knock the ball on 15m out from the try-line.
23 mins - CHIEFS 6 HIGHLANDERS 7
TRY! Rob Thompson recognises the space out wide and he puts in a cross field kick which bounces up perfectly for Waisake Naholo, he has one defender to beat and he puts a right foot step on before crashing over to score.
Fletcher Smith adds the extras from out wide and gives his side a one point lead.
20 mins - CHIEFS 6 HIGHLANDERS 0
THREE! Damian McKenzie doubles the Chiefs' lead with a successful shot at goal on the angle from 25m+ out.
15 mins - CHIEFS 3 HIGHLANDERS 0
LINE BREAK! After a good run from Chiefs' fullback Solomon Alaimalo down the left edge the Chiefs find themselves in good position to attack. Damian McKenzie spots the space down the right flank and throws a big skip pass to Liam Messam who breaks through the Highlanders' defensive line. He tries to link up with Johnny Fa'auli but he knocks the ball on just outside the Highlanders' 22.
13 mins - CHIEFS 3 HIGHLANDERS 0
OUT ON A FULL! A bad mistake from Chiefs' fullback Solomon Alaimalo as he kicks the ball out on a full. The Highlanders have a lineout just outside the Chiefs' 22m line.
9 mins - CHIEFS 3 HIGHLANDERS 0
THREE! The Chiefs were hot on attack deep inside the Highlanders' 22 and the visitors are penalised for an offside play. Damia McKenzie scores the first points of the match with a successful penalty shot at goal from easy range.
5 mins - CHIEFS 0 HIGHLANDERS 0
Highlanders have a lineout just outside their own 22m line. Bad signs for the Highlanders as Lima Sopoaga goes down in heap, looks like he has hurt his leg, he is replaced by Fletcher Smith.
2 mins - CHIEFS 0 HIGHLANDERS 0
KICK! A great kick from Chiefs' halfback Brad Weber from halfway at the back of the scrum as the ball bounces out deep inside the Highlanders' 22.
KICK-OFF!
CHIEFS 0 HIGHLANDERS 0
And we are underway! Lima Sopoaga kicks off short to the Chiefs.
PRE-MATCH:
This match will be a close battle with the Highlanders losing their first match to the Hurricanes last weekend and the Chiefs on a hot run after winning their last three matches since losing the opening match of the season to the Crusaders.
The winner of this match will go to the top of the New Zealand conference ladder.
Liam Messam returns to the starting line-up at number six with Brad Weber named to start at nine for the Chiefs. Charlie Ngatai is also named on the bench for the Chiefs.
Sam Cane is set to play his 100th Super Rugby match tonight.
Matt Faddes partners up with Rob Thompson in the midfield for the Highlanders and Ash Dixon gets the nod to replace Liam Coltman at hooker who has been ruled out for the match.
TEAMS:
Highlanders: 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2 Ash Dixon, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 5 Josh Dickson, 6 Elliot Dixon, 7 Dillon Hunt, 8 Luke Whitelock, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 11 Tevita Li, 12 Rob Thompson, 13 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Ben Smith (c).
Reserves: 16 Greg Pleasents-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrell Lomax, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Shannon Frizzell, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Patelesio Tomkinson.
Chiefs: 1 Aidan Ross, 2 Nathan Harris, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Tyler Ardon, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Taleni Seu, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Sean Wainui, 12 Johnny Fa’auli, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 14 Toni Pulu, 15 Solomon Alaimalo.
Reserves: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Pita Gus Sowakula, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahurirorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Charlie Ngatai.
39 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
40 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
42 mins - CHIEFS 13 HIGHLANDERS 7
76 mins - CHIEFS 27 HIGHLANDERS 22
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