That opened the door for McKenzie, and he walked towards the pressure moment with the class befitting an All Black. From about 45 metres out, near the spot where he missed just minutes before, McKenzie landed the penalty and dealt what is likely to be a fatal blow to the Highlanders’ finals hopes. It was a messy but stirring contest that burst into life in the final 25 mintes. After four missed shots at goal, Mitch Hunt finally nailed a 54th minute effort to draw the scores level at 13-13 to set up a nervous final quarter with both sides clearly aware of the implications of a loss.