The Highlanders have gone down narrowly 21-19 to the Chiefs in the Super 15 in Hamilton tonight.
The Highlanders led for the majority of the match but were run down with 13 minutes to go when Charlie Ngatai scored a try and Aaron Cruden kicked the conversion from the sideline.
The Highlanders had a chance near the end but when the ball had to go wide they remained in close with a forward going too far and coughed up the ball.
The Highlanders had looked composed after leading 16-7 at halftime but did not get much ball in the second half and eventually it told.
Chiefs 24 (Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Liam Messam tries; Aaron Cruden 3 con) Highlanders 18 (John Hardie try; Lima Sopoaga con, 4 pen) Halftime: 16-7 Highlanders
