ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at some key points from the Highlanders' win over the Chiefs in Dunedin last night.
A playoff-calibre win
While only so much could be taken from the wins over the Kings and Jaguares, the same could not be said about this game. The Chiefs are genuine contenders in this competition and the Highlanders had to play well to beat them. It shows that the break has not hindered them and they are still capable of knocking off the competition's top teams. That they could do it after a ridiculous amount of travel is impressive, as is the fact that they did it against a team needing a win. All that bodes well heading into the playoffs, and the Highlanders must be confident they can repeat as champions.
Chiefs defence tough to crack
While last time the Highlanders beat the Chiefs they did so without the ball, this time possession was evenly shared. The Highlanders held the ball for long periods at times and had the Chiefs' defence under pressure. But that defence proved tough to get through. It fanned out, remained organised and came up fast. When they did miss a tackle, they scrambled well to limit the damage.
In the second quarter, the Highlanders controlled play, but emerged with only five points to show for it. Whether the Chiefs line was onside for all that time is another debate, although you get away with what you can. That pressure eventually told: in the second half things opened up and the Highlanders piled on an impressive 20 points.
Lineout issues
Last week the lineout was shaky, but given the circumstances it was something you could live with. This week it became more of a problem. Twice the Highlanders failed to execute after kicking to the corner and having a lineout 5m out. The first was lost, the second won but the messy ball meant that go-forward could not be obtained off the setpiece. Both of these came during the period when the Highlanders had all the ball and all the field position but couldn't score. They are moments that can decide games and being able to execute in those situations is key.
Waisake Naholo
The crowds have certainly taken a liking to Waisake Naholo. They were singing his name in the Zoo before the Highlanders had even made it on to the field last night, the first of many renditions. The man himself was electric, as always. He did extremely well to score his try in the corner and hit a great line when he crossed prior to that for the one which was disallowed. Perhaps his most impressive moment came when he split the defence one off the lineout midway through the first half. It was from a similar moment that he scored against the Chiefs in Invercargill, and he put the Highlanders on the front foot from going close last night. He was into everything and he was a handful for the defence everytime he touched the ball.
On to the playoffs
While it was a shame they couldn't claim the home quarterfinal, the Highlanders probably got the next best thing. A match against the Brumbies in Canberra is both winnable and not as taxing as a trip to South Africa. South Africa might provide an easier game, but the travel toll would likely catch up on the team, given the amount of travelling they have done of late.
For the third year in a row, the Highlanders are in the playoffs and judging by what we saw last night, they are as good a chance as anyone of winning.
