Highlanders break 13-year drought

The Highlanders reached Super Rugby's semifinals for the first time in 13 years, after they edged the Chiefs 24-14 in a thrilling New Zealand derby in Dunedin on Saturday.

While the game produced only three tries, it was chock-full with intrigue, endeavour and entertainment.

The Highlanders now await the result of Saturday's other preliminary play-off match in Cape Town, between the Stormers and Brumbies, to find out if they travel to Wellington (to meet the table-topping Hurricanes) or Sydney (to face the Waratahs) in next week's semifinal round.

The Highlanders' set pieces were misfiring – with the Chiefs applying pressure in the scrums and even winning a penalty, while their line-outs were iffy at best.

The Chiefs' biggest problem was retaining possession on attack, with sloppy handling the major issue. They also struggled at the breakdown in the second half, as the Highlanders added more numbers.

However, the key factors were the Highlanders' effective play from set pieces, the quick pace of their counter-attacking game, their rush defence and the Chiefs' lack of discipline.

The game got off to a cracking start – which was sparked by a sublime Aaron Smith break round the blindside and quick hands resulting in Patrick Osborne going over after a sublime kick by Lima Sopoaga. However, the call was sent up to the TMO, who saw a foot in touch near the Chiefs 10-metre line – a decision that was met with loud howls of derision.

Sopoaga and Andrew Horrell exchanged penalties, as the teams remained level on the scoreboard.

Horrell missed one from near halfway and then hooked one past the left upright from about 35 metres out – as the teams stayed deadlocked at the end of the first quarter.

It was another moment of brilliance by Aaron Smith that brought the first try – the Highlanders scrumhalf breaking around the blind from a scrum near halfway, followed by sublime interplay with Waisake Naholo, before Smith gave the scoring pass for the wing to sprint over. Sopoaga was wide with the conversion attempt – 8-3 after 25 minutes..

Horrell, after a tackle-penalty right in front on the Highlanders 22, made it 6-8. And an offside penalty against Nasi Manu allowed Horrell to grab the lead for the Chiefs for the first time right on half-time – making it 9-8 at the break.

The two Smiths – first Ben and then Aaron – produced the moments of magic that got the Highlanders back in front after the restart. Ben Smith went on a weaving run that got the Highlanders inside the Chiefs 22. Then, from a scrum that became a ruck, Aaron Smith went round the blindside and drew a defender before  back-handed offload put Naholo over for his second try. Sopoaga's touchline conversion made it 15-9.

Sopoaga kicked a second penalty just short of the hour mark – 18-9.

A silly penalty, when Malakai Fekitoa rushed up too early at a scrum, allowed the Chiefs to work their way back into the Highlanders 22. Some hard work from the forwards saw Brodie Retallick worm his way over for the Chiefs' first try. Horrell pushed another kick wide – 14-18.

The Chiefs' poor discipline – when prop Ben Tameifuna offended at yet another ruck – allowed Sopoaga to make it a seven-point game – 21-14, with 15 minutes remaining.

The Chiefs now threw everything at the Highlanders and enjoyed a huge territorial advantage. However, their own sloppy play and lack of discipline continued to thwart their efforts to close the gap.

And it was a Sam Cane brain explosion that handed the Highlanders the penalty, which Sopoaga slotted from bang in front, that sealed a 24-14 win.

Man of the match: Sonny Bill Williams threatened at times, but was well-marked. Liam Messam, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick provided the muscle up front. Retallick, in particular, was a brute. However, their most potent weapon was fullback Damien McKenzie, who constantly found holes in the Highlanders' defence. Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa were always a threat on attack, while Lima Sopoaga directed play well. The forwards all worked hard – with Nasi Manu and Dan Pryor the most productive. However, our award goes to Highlanders scrumhalf Aaron Smith, who produced the most critical and counting plays – especially the breaks that resulted in Waisake Naholo's two tries.

Moment of the match: It has to be Waisake Naholo's second try, in the 43rd minute, after another sublime Aaron Smith break, that gave the Highlanders an advantage they never conceded. From there on the Chiefs were chasing the game and they failed to close the gap.

Villain of the match: None, not even the refere.

The scorers:

For the Highlanders:

Tries: Naholo 2

Cons: Sopoaga

Pens: Sopoaga 4

For Chiefs:

Try: Retallick

Pens: Horrell 3

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Shaun Treeby.

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Andrew Horrell, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Michael Fitzgerald, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Mitchell Crosswell, 20 Michael Leitch, 21 Kane Hammington, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)