Chiefs vs Highlanders

It’s been exactly a month since the last time these two sides met in what was considered by many as the real Super Rugby opening match – seeing that only the Aussies played in a very dim Round 1. It was a physical and fast battle then, and I’d expect nothing less from their second clash.
Back then, the Highlanders hopeful still had reason to believe in their beloved rugby team who ran the ball brilliantly against the Chiefs. Even though they lost that first encounter, there were enough signs for a bright tournament. The Landers got to take a week off and evidently, they haven’t woken up from their nap yet. They suffered a heavy loss against the Cheetahs and were then forced to succumb to the Hurricanes last week, all at home.
Now they’ve been asked to face the defending champions again, this time in Hamilton and this a side that has only lost once, and by only 2 points, to the Stormers at Newlands. They’ve scored at least four tries per match and look extremely determined to retain the trophy.

The Chiefs appear to be a settled unit filled to the brim with gifted players. Aaron Cruden dictates play brilliantly whilst Gareth Anscombe keeps the defenders busy and the scoreboard ticking. The center combination of Tim Nanai-Williams and Andrew Horrell will be hard to contain and you just know that one of them, if not both, will constantly be probing to find the try line. Out wide they have two try coring machines in Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Lelia Masaga. Need I say more?
The forwards and collective team will be lead by Liam Messam, the first Chiefs centurion, and he’ll be eager to set an example. Hika Elliott had a great game last week and we can expect to see him punching it up in the midfield. Must say that I’m a bit baffled and seriously disappointed that Big Ben Afeaki has been benched. It is probably a tactical move as the prolific prop has had a Sona Taumalolo-like season thus far and I look forward to seeing more whitewash surges from him.

Veteran Brad Thorn has been made captain of the Highlanders in the absence of Andrew Hore, who suffered another injury – one they can ill afford at hooker with his replacement Brayden Mitchell also rendered out of action through a broken collarbone. Thorn’s leadership role should probably annoy long-standing vice-captain Hosea Gear just enough to take all his frustration out on his opponents, I’ll put my money on him again running around as if possessed.


Kade Poki will want to have a bigger slice of the pie after a quiet day against the Hurricanes compared to the hat-trick he scored 2 weeks ago. Ben Smith has also been impressive at the back and Ma’a Nonu steps back into the frame  note to all, watch out for the rush defense which will create nice little holes for TNW and co.

The Highlanders should be getting more desperate by the hour, but all that nervous energy will not serve them well against the cool, calm and devastating artillery they need to deal with this weekend. I am anticipating an adrenalin rush of note from this encounter, and the Chiefs should have more than enough firepower to let the sparks fly.
An injury ridden Highlanders team shouldn’t have it in them to halt the heartened home side – Chiefs by 10, at least.