Chiefs hold on to win derby

The Chiefs celebrated Sam Cane 100th match for the franchise by overcoming the Highlanders 27-22 in Hamilton last night.

The Highlanders had made a habit of winning this fixture until the Chiefs snapped a six-match losing streak in their only match last year, a 24-15 victory in Dunedin, and it was Sean Wainui’s late try that proved to be the matchwinner during yet another enthralling New Zealand derby in Super Rugby.

With so much focus on Damian McKenzie playing at 10, it’s fair to stay he had an indifferent night, often looking too frenetic and rushing kicks, and the Highlanders pounced on his mistakes.

But the Chiefs, hanging on, turned the ball over when it looked certain that the Highlanders would score under the posts in the dying minutes to grab a valuable victory.

The Highlanders had to cope with the major blow of losing first five-eighth Liam Sopoaga when he hobbled off, grimacing and clutching down the back of his right leg despite no Chiefs defender laying a finger on him.

An inexperienced Fletcher Smith was left steering the ship for the visitors up against McKenzie, as the Chiefs controlled the territory and grabbed a crucial lead by halftime when Solomon Alaimalo finished off an excellent move.

When Taleni Seu set free to gallop down the left, Nathan Harris scored early in the second half and suddenly the Chiefs were 20-7 ahead, but the Highlanders came roaring back to life and led in the final quarter after Patelsio Tomkinson touched down from a McKenzie mistake.

But the Chiefs were ahead again in the final 10 minutes through Wainui’s try after the Highlanders had evened up the possession and territory stakes.