Composed Highlanders on a roll
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph paid tribute to the maturity of his side in their narrow Super Rugby victory over the Chiefs on Friday.
The Highlanders dealt the Chiefs'' hopes of defending the Super Rugby title a major blow with a 29-25 victory.
The Chiefs held a narrow 13-10 lead after a tight first half, but the Highlanders blew out to a large (26-13) lead in the second spell and held that 13-point lead with fifteen minutes remaining.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph puts the win down to their accuracy in the second half.
"I thought we were quite composed in the second half – even when we were put under pressure," he said.
"Obviously discipline, I thought that was the difference.
"We didn't give any silly penalties away and our scrum went really well, so we got a bit of reward with that."
Joseph said it showed how much the team had grown over the past three months in the way it played.
''I think the players are learning from the games they have experienced … I thought we were quite composed in the second half,'' the coach said.
''We were hellishly disciplined and did not give any silly penalties away and our scrum went really well.
''I think we had some great character and great composure.
''Well led by Ben and Nasi [co-captains Ben Smith and Nasi Manu]. If we go back to the Force game, then you are looking at a different team and we are developing quite nicely.''
He also praised the decision-making of his key players and said players picked for a job had come into a pressure situation and done well.
''One thing you can do is give belief to players and they can repay that belief by playing well and that is what happened tonight.''
Joseph said the side's level of desire was in the end, the difference.
He praised the goal kicking of his side, which was a real plus.
''It lets you chase the game and lets you play rugby.''
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said the Chiefs were not quite sharp enough and it told.
''We had all the territory and possession in the first half and did not turn that into points. With the Highlanders you can go multiphase but if you turn it over, they can punish you and go the length of the field,'' Rennie said.
''We made a few handling errors and let the pressure valve off. Credit to the Highlanders. They defended well and they were able to turn some of that into points,'' he said.
Rennie said mathematically the Chiefs were not out of it but it was probably ''no longer in our own hands''.
All Black and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick took a blow to his hip while Highlanders prop Ma'afu Fia has injured his AC joint.
Highlanders captain Nasi Manu said his unfancied team showed their determination after trailing at half-time.
"We worked hard, we got a result," he said. "We've got two matches left and who knows what happens — at least we've given ourselves a chance."
Sources: Newstalk ZB & Otago Daily Times
