Highlanders end Chiefs' triple dream

The Highlanders ended the Chiefs' dream of a hat-trick of Super Rugby titles, when they beat them 29-25 in Dunedin on Friday.

And, by winning this thrilling arm-wrestle, the Highlanders moved to the top of the New Zealand conference for at least the next 24 hours.

While the Chiefs remain in eighth place on the standing, and perhaps still have a mathematical chance of making the play-offs and keeping their dream alive of a third-consecutive championship, they have matches against the Hurricanes and Blues to come – which leaves no margin for error.

They will need to win both their remaining matches – probably with bonus points and then still hope for other results to go their way.

The result sets up a thrilling finish to the round robin stage of the competition in the Kiwi conference.

Signs were promising for the two-time when the Chiefs held a slim (13-10) lead at half-time, but four penalties and a long-range try swung momentum in favour of the Highlanders.

All Black fullback Ben Smith finished a brilliant counterattacking try in the 49th minute, to give the Highlanders a decisive lead. Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga added 16 points – six goals from six attempts – to reach 150 points for the season, a record for the Dunedin-based franchise.

By the time the last 10 minutes arrived the scored had changed to a 26-13 advantage for the home team, with the Chiefs unable to claw back the deficit – despite two late tries.

The visitors were showing a willingness to attack early on, as they tested the Highlanders' defence before Chiefs co-captain Aaron Cruden knocked over the penalty to give his side the lead.

While both sides struggled in the opening 10 minutes with their set piece, the home side managed the cut through the Chiefs defensive line through newly capped All Black Malakai Fekitoa – who created the scoring chance for Patrick Osborne to cross.

It was a short-lived lead for the Highlanders, as an error from the kick-off provided the Chiefs with prime attacking position.

Soon enough the Chiefs capitalised, when Cruden slipped in a kick which wrong-footed Highlanders fullback Ben Smith and the ball falling favourably for Dwayne Sweeney, to score and regain the advantage.

The Chiefs managed to build some pressure, which they converted into three more points from the boot of fullback Gareth Anscombe.

The Highlanders replied kindly through flyhalf Lima Sopoaga to close the gap, as the Chiefs went into the half-time break leading 13-10.

A second penalty to Sopoaga leveled the scores for the hosts, with just minutes on the clock in the second spell.

In a telling moment in the match, a try to Ben Smith appeared to boost the Highlanders' confidence, after they managed to withstand the Chiefs attack earlier in the play.

Sopoaga continued his fine form with the boot, extending his team's advantage with two further penalties that made the task that much more difficult for the Chiefs.

Refusing to concede the result, the Chiefs battled away and found the breakthrough when replacement Tim Nanai-Williams jinked his way past to give his team hope.

A penalty to Highlanders replacement Hayden Parker restored some of the earlier margin, but the Chiefs clicked into gear the defending champions countered through prop Josh Hohneck to set up a thrilling finish.

The clock proved to be against the Chiefs as the Highlanders held on to grab a hard fought victory to keep their season alive.

Man of the match: Tim Nanai-Williams made a big impact off the bench, Brodie Retallick was very good before injury struck and Liam Messam worked hard. You can always bank on Ben and Aaron Smith to add value, Malakai Fekitoa continued his incredible form, while hooker Brayden Mitchell was arguably the Highlanders' most valuable forward. However, our award goes to Highlanders wing Richard Buckman – as he caused all kinds of problems for the Chiefs' defence.

The scorers:

For the Highlanders:

Tries: Osborne, B Smith

Cons: Sopoaga 2

Pens: Sopoaga 4, Parker

For the Chiefs:

Tries: Sweeney, Nanai Williams, Hohneck

Cons: Cruden 2

Pens: Cruden, Anscombe

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Brayden Mitchell, 1 Kane Hames.

Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Chris King, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 Lee Allan, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh.

Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Tom Marshall, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16  Nathan Harris, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Matt Symons, 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams, 23 James Lowe.

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Kane McBride (New Zealand), Mike Lash (New Zealand)

TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)