Damian McKenzie lands penalty to end golden point Chiefs-Highlanders thriller in Dunedin.
Highlanders coach Tony Brown has slammed his side’s “soft” preparation and performance in the wake of their golden-point defeat to the Chiefs which he feels has ended their hopes of making the Super Rugby Aotearoa final. Just a week after being the toast of the competition with their remarkable upset of the four-time defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch, the Highlanders are now picking up the pieces following their dramatic 26-23 loss in Dunedin on Saturday night, in a rollercoaster of a competition which now has the Chiefs as the form team.
Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs edge Highlanders in golden-point thriller
10 Apr, 2021 09:15 AM
3 minutes to read
Chiefs edge Highlanders in golden-point thriller. Video / Sky Sports
Chiefs 26
Highlanders 23
The Chiefs started the year staring down the barrel of a record losing streak. Now, scrappy wins are becoming on brand for the club.
For the third game in a row, the Chiefs got the better of a tight encounter on Saturday night as they saw off the Highlanders 26-23 in a golden-point affair in Dunedin.
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.
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.
Live Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa updates: Highlanders v Chiefs
10 Apr, 2021 06:45 AM
4 minutes to read
Sky Sports presents their post match show after the Highlanders versed the Chiefs. Video / Sky Sports
Sky Sports presents their post match show after the Highlanders versed the Chiefs. Video / Sky Sports
NZ Herald
Highlanders coach Tony Brown says the two suspended players who have earned a recall into the squad have taken their punishments on the chin and are ready to prove why they deserve a second chance.
Patelesio Tomkinson has been handed the No 13 jersey, while one-test All Black Josh Ioane starts on the bench as the Highlanders look to build on their upset win over the Crusaders.
Highlanders
Highlanders coach explains why he brought back Sio Tomkinson and Josh Ioane into his squad to face the Chiefs.
All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell has re-signed with the Highlanders through to the end of the 2023 season. Frizell has been a standout for franchise since his rookie year in 2018 and has gone on to play 13 tests for the national side.
Dianne Manson/Getty Images
Shannon Frizell has extended his stay with the Highlanders through to 2023. After establishing himself as the first-choice blindside flanker for the All Blacks in 2020, the 27-year-old has continued his strong form Super Rugby Aotearoa this season and Highlanders coach Tony Brown said extending his contract was a no-brainer.