Counterattack
It does not take a genius to figure out that the Highlanders counterattack has been one of their most potent weapons over the past two seasons.
The difference between this year and last year though, is that it is the whole backline that is counterattacking in this way, rather than just the back three. Along with this, they have been keeping cool heads in these situations and are not trying to throw the miracle balls or make the low-percentage plays which dogged their game last year.
Do not underestimate the outstanding support play either. Look at Ben Smith's try in this game for example, he came all the way from the last ruck to score that and had to work very hard to get in position to take the final pass. Aaron Smith is a master of it too and runs great support lines to complete sequences such as this one.
Having the ability to score from anywhere on the park makes this team so threatening. Last year there were a few individuals who could break the game open, but their just were not enough and they were not clinical enough. This year, with an entire backline of threats who are taking the right options, you could go as far as saying they are the best counterattacking team in the competition.
Not for the first time this season, it was one of the key features in a winning performance.
Scrum dominance
If you think back to early on in the season, the much bigger Chiefs forward pack pushed this Highlanders pack around at scrum time. It was therefore great to see the Highlanders get one back over them and dominate the scrum contest this time around. Kane Hames in particular stood out, going up against Ben Tameifuna and destroying the biggest man in New Zealand rugby.
This dominance led to a handful of penalties and turnovers, which too were crucial in the win.
Ma'afu Fia is getting back to his best after a slow start to the season, while both locks were clearly providing plenty of force in behind. Although perhaps the most encouraging thing came in that the scrum remained dominant even after three of the tight five were changed.
Having had a shaky set-piece in recent seasons, it certainly is good to see this type of depth being built in the scrum and bodes well with a tough test against a powerful Crusaders pack in two weeks time.
More width on attack
The Highlanders adopted a very intelligent game plan for this match, looking to use Malakai Fekitoa and Shaun Treeby to crash the ball up and gain momentum, rather than forward runners. This meant that they were moving the ball wider and forcing the Chiefs to run more, while also allowing two attacking weapons to get their hands on the ball regularly.
The Chiefs are a team with some strong forwards, who are extremely good and organised in close. You do not want to get into an arm wrestle with them, because you are going to struggle to win. By playing with more width, the Highlanders forced the Chiefs defence to fan out more and minimised their chances to gain an upper hand in the close contact situations.
On that, Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga both deserve credit, as both got the ball to their midfielders quickly, giving them space to work with and allowing them to threaten.
Getting the best out of players
One of the best things this season has been the way the Highlanders have been able to get the best out of players who did not necessarily begin the season as superstars.
Six months ago only Ben and Aaron Smith really would have been considered genuine superstars, with Nasi Manu the underappreciated hard-working No. 8.
Look at them now. Those three have certainly all stepped their game up, but are not carrying the side as some may have thought they would.
The locking duo of Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin is one that springs to mind, who even with the full complement of locks back, would arguably still be the first choice combination now. They are both hard workers who make their tackles, get to the breakdowns, add physicality and in the case of Franklin, have some good ball skills.
Obviously Malakai Fekitoa is another to impress and he has emerged as a genuine superstar with his attacking flair. Less recognised, but perhaps just as good, is Richard Buckman who is one of the tidiest players in the competition and has shown great pace and flair in recent weeks.
At first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has grown beyond measure and is now deadly accurate with the boot, as is Hayden Parker.
Kane Hames' scrumming prowess has been mentioned, but he is also a very mobile prop who gets through a mountain of work and must be knocking on the door of the All Blacks. Likewise, Ged Robinson is a hard worker who should be getting looked at as a possibility for the All Blacks too.
Chris King has long been one of the most underrated props in the world, while Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon and Gareth Evans seem to just keep on tackling and do so well.
Now think, how many of those names were household names outside of the region six months ago? Probably not too many, as a lot of them were players unwanted by other franchises. However, the Highlanders have gotten the best out of them and they are now all right up there with anyone in the country in their positions.
It cannot be a coincidence that so many have come on so well, so everyone involved deserves enormous credit for this.
Making hard work of games
This weekend was the latest in a season of nail-biting finishes, this time with the Highlanders coming out on the right side of the ledger. So often it does not seem to matter how the good or poor they have been for the first hour of the game, the score always seems to tighten up to make for a close finish.
Some may say these close wins have been lucky, but ultimately you have to ride your luck in this competition and you could likewise say the close losses have been unlucky.
Wins against the Hurricanes, Lions, Blues and Bulls all came as a result of having to defend well to hold on and/or have a few decisions go their way. In the same way, losses to the Crusaders, Force, Reds and Chiefs could be said to have been unlucky, with decisions going against them, or simply making one or two errors of judgement.
Ultimately your luck generally balances out and while luck may come into it at times, you still have to put yourself in the position for this to happen. The Highlanders are doing this and you cannot fault their commitment or their fight one bit.
