Chiefs puts down early marker against Highlanders
SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs put down an early marker when they beat the Highlanders 26-16 in the opening New Zealand derby match in Queenstown on Saturday.
The Chiefs never trailed in the match and outscored the Highlanders three tries to one on their way to fairly convincing win.
As fancied by the bookmakers, the Chiefs, playing their home match in Highlanders territory, proved far too classy for their southern counterparts throughout the course of the contest.
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick was among the stars of the show, producing a world-class try assist with a back flick pass into the clutches of Emoni Narawa, who scored one of this side’s three tries.
The others were scored by Sam Cane, who has scrumhalf Xavier Roe to thank for assisting his score, while Pita Gus Sowakula produced a fine piece of athleticism to skip over the top of Aaron Smith and score off the back of a scrum.
By contrast, it took the Highlanders almost 70 minutes to cross the line when replacement prop Daniel Lienert-Brown scored after some good build-up by his side’s forward pack.
Prior to that, the Highlanders were plagued by errors that appeared to stem from a lack of cohesion between teammates.
The introduction of Lienert-Brown, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Folau Fakatava went some way to improving their side’s output, but they ultimately fell well short of Clayton McMillan’s side.
The match also acted as Chiefs pivot Josh Ioane’s first appearance for his new franchise against his old side, with the one-test All Black acquitting himself well in the No.10 jersey.
The result lifts the Chiefs to second place on the standings, with numerous more games to be played, while the Highlanders lie in 11th spot.
The Chiefs will continue their campaign against Moana Pasifika in Dunedin next Friday, while the Highlanders will host the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium the following day.
The scorers
For the Chiefs
Tries: Cane, Sowakula, Narawa
Con: Ioane
Pens: Ioane 2, Gatland
For the Highlanders
Try: Lienert-Brown
Con: Hunt
Pens: Hunt 3
Teams
CHIEFS: 15 Emoni Narawa, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Brad Weber (co-captain), 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Chase Tiatia.
HIGHLANDERS: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Mosese Dawai, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Scott Gregory, 11 Josh Timu, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith (captain), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Bryn Evans, 20 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21 Folau Fakatava 22 Marty Banks, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
By Alex McLeod, RugbyPass
