Highlanders show grit to snatch late win

Hamilton: All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith’s last minute try gives the Highlanders a 30-27 season opening win over the Chiefs in Hamilton. Reduced to 14 men, the Highlanders refused to roll over in the opening game of Super Rugby in Hamilton.

The Highlanders played with a man short for the final 15 minutes with

Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith takes on the Chiefs defence at the FMG Stadium, Hamilton on Femruary 14, 2019. Photo: Planet Rugby

replacement centre Sio Tomkinson sent off for a dangerous head high tackle on Brodie Retallick.

Tomkinson appeared to be unlucky as Retallick ducked into the tackle, which referee Glen Jackson ruled was also principally a shoulder charge after several television replays.

“I didn’t really see it properly on the big screen but the ref’s decision is final and I thought we adjusted well when Sio was sent off to scrape home,” Highlander’s Ben Smith said.

“It’s just being smart with your plans and we couldn’t send to many numbers in or we’d be short in other areas so we just had to be smart there.”

Lock Pari Pari Parkinson and replacement flanker Shannon Frizell also scored tries for the Highlanders, who never let the Chiefs get too far ahead with the unerring boot of first five Josh Ioane adding 15 points.

Winger Etene Nanai-Seturo scored two tries for the Chiefs, who controlled much of the game only to be undone by the Highlanders’ replacements bench adding some much-needed impetus for the final quarter.

Nanai-Seturo crossed once in each half for the home side, while Canadian international number eight Tyler Ardron and tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao also scored tries.

Halfback Brad Weber slotted two conversions and Stephen Donald added a penalty.

The 35-year-old Donald, who was only awarded a contract on Monday to replace the injured Tiaan Falcon, gave the Chiefs a 27-23 lead after Tomkinson was sent off before the Highlanders controlled the rest of the game.