The Chiefs defeat the Highlanders 20-7 at Waikato Stadium - Rugby updates
The Chiefs have stunned the Highlanders, 20-7, in a Super Rugby clash played at Waikato Stadium on Saturday. The Chiefs’ stars Donald and Messam played well in the second round defeats of the Highlanders. Donald kicked two penalties and one conversion successfully
for his side.
The Highlanders were missing their star player Tony Brown due to injury and Lima Sopoaga replaced him at the 10 position. Robbie Robinson was sent to the full-back as the Highlanders made few changes in their starting line-up. The Highlanders had used all
its reserves with 20 minutes to go in the game as Adam Thomson was sent off the field due to a rib injury. The Highlanders are having a poor season as far as fitness problems are concerned.
On the other hand, the Chiefs welcomed back All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu from injury. The match had great significance for the Chiefs because their skipper, Mils Muliaina, was playing his 50th game for them whereas he will participate in his 100th
overall Super Rugby game the next match.
The Highlanders won the last match played between the two teams. However, th Chiefs dominated seven straight matches before that game. The Chiefs were impressive throughout the game and let the opponents chasing them most of the time. Overall both the side
presented sluggish play and only nine shots were hit at the goal.
The Chiefs’ skipper told the reporter in a pitch-side interview that it was an important game to win before a run at the semi-finals. He added, "The Highlanders are a quality side and we needed this one. It wasn't pretty but thankfully enough we were on
the right end of it. It took us 40 minutes to get the physicality back in there."
The Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh also talked the media after the match and said, "I think we let ourselves down with a few too many mistakes. They went in and took it to us at the rucks, which is what we've been priding ourselves on. It was a good
battle but you can't win games if you can't hold onto the ball.”
The Chiefs will take on the Stormers in their next match of Super Rugby on 14th May.
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