Golden boot of McKenzie
Southern star steps up to gore the home side in a thrilling golden point match
Golden boy Damian McKenzie was the toast of the Chiefs last night as he nailed a 48-metre golden point extra time penalty goal, the first of Super Rugby Aotearoa, in Dunedin.
A week after beating the Crusaders, the Highlanders’ hearts were broken and their competition hopes severely dented after the heroics of the Southland-born Chiefs star.
The Chiefs started the year staring down the barrel of a record losing streak.
Now, scrappy wins are becoming a brand for the club.
For the third game in a row, the Chiefs last night got the better of a tight encounter, as they saw off the Highlanders 26-23 in a golden-point thriller at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Thanks in large part to their work at the breakdown, the Chiefs added the scalp of the southerners to that of the Blues and Hurricanes, putting themselves firmly in contention for a spot in the final.
Led by their loose trio of two-test All Black Luke Jacobson, long-serving forward Mitchell Brown and rookie Kaylum Boshier, the Chiefs made their presence felt over the ball which proved a big factor in the outcome of the match.
The Chiefs won six turnovers to the Highlanders’ two, while they were awarded a number of penalties at the breakdown as well. The battle at the breakdown was a bright spot in a match that otherwise left plenty to be desired for both teams.
Both sides were hit with injury woes, as Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea and Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson were replaced.
The Chiefs also had considerable struggles with their lineout, which was almost costly late as the Highlanders forced an error from the set piece deep inside Chiefs territory.
It was an error that ultimately only cost the side three points, which saw the Highlanders level the score at 23-23, forcing the game into extra time, with McKenzie kicking the winning penalty in golden point.
The Chiefs got the better of the opening exchanges, with wing Etene Nanai-Seturo putting the first points on the board, scoring in the corner.
James Lentjes hit back moments
later for the hosts on a set play from a lineout just inside the Chiefs’ 22m.
A McKenzie penalty gave the Chiefs a five-point lead at the break but that lasted all of two minutes into the second half as Aaron Smith crossed for the Highlanders.
The sides continued to match one another across the park and the chance of golden-point rugby looked increasingly likely.
It was the first game to go to golden point extra time since the rule was introduced, and after Anton LienertBrown won a breakdown penalty, McKenzie stepped up to be the hero.
Highlanders 23 (J. Lentjes, A. Smith, J. Ioane tries; Ioane con, pen, M. Hunt pen) Chiefs 26 (E. Nanai-Seturo, A. Ta’avao tries; D. McKenzie 2 cons, 4 pens). HT: 5-10.