Penalties Mount, Players struggle to adapt

Both sets of players had issues with the new offside rule at the ruck; there were 22 penalties before the hour-mark.

Hunt kicked a long-range penalty as the Highlander’s first points after the break extended their lead to six.

The penalties kept coming. As the game entered the final quarter, the Chiefs, with the extra man botched a scoring opportunity. The Chiefs problems at the lineout came back to haunt them. Instead of taking the three, Gatland’s men opted for a scrum over a lineout, inside the Landers’ 22. However, a botched scrum saw them go backwards before conceding another penalty.

Time was running out, but the Chiefs kept coming.

Another sustained period of attack ended with Shaun Stevenson being held-up over the goal-line following a 15-phase attack inside the opposition’s 22.

The Chiefs opted for another scrum, and their patience and persistence was rewarded when Anton Lienert-Brown scores in the corner.

Excellent work from Aaron Cruden and McKenzie helped put the centre away. McKenzie, however, missed an important conversion that would have put the visitors ahead.

As the clock ticked down, the game entered a stunning finish. McKenzie thought he had won the day for his side, but Gatland replied with a winner to deny the Chiefs and dad.

Highlanders 28 (Ash Dixon, Sio Tomkinson, Marino Mikaele Tu'u tries, Mitch Hunt 2 con, 2 pens, Bryn Gatland drop goal);

Chiefs 27 (Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown tries, McKenzie con, drop goal 4 pens) HT: 16-22.