Rugby: Highlanders reel off win two

Two from two - you'd better believe it. In the classic game of two halves - and thankfully for the Highlanders their half was better than the Chiefs - the home side ran out the winner, 23-13 at Carisbrook, to make it two wins from as many games.

The Highlanders overcame a stinker of a first 40 minutes to come home hard and end up comfortable winners.

• Home side comes right in second-half delight

For the second week in a row it was good old fashioned guts and commitment which paved the way to the win, as they overcame a 13-6 halftime deficit.

The Highlanders dominated both possession and territory in the second 40 minutes and found some gaps in the second half in the Chiefs defence. The backs ran hard and straight and got over the advantage line as the Chiefs struggled to get any ball.

The home side cut out the silly errors that had plagued it in the first half, and for the second week in a row the breakdown was dominated by the Highlanders. That ultimately was the difference between the two sides.

The result was sealed with just under 10 minutes to go when, after the forwards carried the ball up, it was shifted wide and fullback Ben Smith brushed off the onrushing Tim Nanai-Williams.

Smith then fed winger Kade Poki who did the rest.

The Chiefs tried to come back but it was apt that Adam Thomson secured a turnover at the end, for he was once again immense.

He soared in the lineout, grabbed turnovers and was dangerous with the ball in hand.

Right behind him was No 8 Nasi Manu, who came to the fore the further the game went and he made the advantage line countless times.

Out the back, Smith was dangerous on the break and Shaun Treeby was solid in the midfield. Robbie Robinson had a fine 40 minutes, and helped with the revival in the second half.

The Highlanders gained a huge advantage when halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow was yellow carded after entering a ruck illegally halfway through the second half.

The Highlanders went close soon after the break when replacement hooker Mahroni Schwalger attempted to burrow over the line but was finally judged held up by the third official after what seemed like a lifetime.

However, the Chiefs mucked up the resulting scrum, going too early into the engagement, and Manu simply charged over from the resulting free kick.

Robinson knocked over the conversion to tie the game up.

The Chiefs made all the running in the first half, moving the ball wide at every opportunity and the Highlanders were lucky to still be handy at the break.

All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu was looking like his old self, dangerous with the ball, running great lines, and looming up in support all too often.

On the other side, Lelia Masaga was just as threatening and was all action.

The Highlanders dominated the first five minutes of the game and were rewarded with a Lima Sopoaga penalty goal.

But the rest of the opening period was all the visiting side, and the Chiefs had more than 70% of the territory.

They moved the ball at real pace and, following several chances, finally got the first try of the game through first five-eighth Mike Delany after 23 minutes.

The Chiefs blitzed on to attack through a strong run from No 8 Liam Messam.

The ball then came to the Chiefs No 10 and he jinked over, making the most of an jagged defensive line from the home team.

The Highlanders were their own worst enemies, with too many inaccuracies blighting their game.

Kicks did not go where they should have, and passes found ground instead of the man.

Sopoaga paid the price of an indifferent first half and was hauled off at the break.

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Super 15
- The scores

• Highlanders 23
Nasi Manu, Kade Poki tries, Lima Sopoaga 2 pen, Robbie Robinson 1 pen, 2 cons

• Chiefs 13
Mike Delany try, 2 pen, con

• Halftime: 13-6 Chiefs.

• Crowd: 10,189

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