Chiefs stay calm to strike late against Highlanders

Composure in the closing minutes earned the Chiefs a hard-fought win over the Highlanders in Waikato.

Chiefs winger Sean Wainui dives in for the winning try against the Highlanders in Waikato. Picture: Getty Images

Composure in the closing minutes earned the Chiefs a hard-fought 27-22 Super Rugby win over the Highlanders in Waikato.

In a tight game, with both teams scoring three tries apiece, the Highlanders pushed right to the final whistle yesterday, despite lagging behind the Chiefs in terms of possession and territory.

The Chiefs dominated large chunks of the match but it took a couple of key lineout takes against the throw in the closing minutes to wrap up the win against a stubborn Highlanders outfit.

The visitors suffered an early blow with the loss of five-eighth Lima Sopoaga after just five minutes with what looked like a lower calf or achilles tendon injury.

Replacement Fletcher Smith slotted in efficiently but it was the Chiefs who controlled possession and led 6-0 after 20 minutes thanks to two Damian McKenzie penalties.

The Highlanders made the most of a chance three minutes later, Rob Thompson’s perfectly placed crosskick finding Waisake Naholo on the right wing for a classic finish out wide.

Smith nailed the extras and the visitors seized an unlikely lead given their lack of possession and territory.

The lead lasted almost until the break, but the Chiefs’ dominance at scrum time was wearing down the Highlanders and the home team struck back in the 38th minute.

McKenzie, running the show from five-eighth, punched in another well-timed crosskick and Toni Pulu climbed high to tap back for fullback Solomon Alaimalo to touch down.

The conversion gave the Chiefs a 13-7 lead at the break, a margin they extended just three minutes after the restart when hooker Nathan Harris muscled his way over from close range.

Still struggling for parity up front, the Highlanders battled their way back with a 51st-minute try to Tevita Li, halfback Aaron Smith finding the wing lurking out wide with a pinpoint pass.

A penalty from Fletcher Smith narrowed the lead to just five points with 20 minutes remaining, and then the Highlanders capitalised on a wayward McKenzie kick with quick hands to send Sio Tomkinson over in the 62nd minute to hit the front.

However, the visitors’ 22-20 lead lasted just six minutes as the Chiefs calmly built phases and showed impressive patience before unleashing Sean Wainui out wide for the winning try.

AAP