WELL WE HAVE waited a long time to see some rugby and it returned with a bang this morning as the Highlanders defeated the Chiefs in the first match of Rugby Aotearoa.
The finish was dramatic, the Chiefs taking the lead with a 78th minute drop goal before the Highlanders responded from the restart, to land a drop goal of their own. That their winning kick came from Bryn Gatland, the son of Warren – coach to the Chiefs – added to the occasion.
And what an occasion. There were over 22,000 people inside the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin to see the home side, the Highlanders, get the better of the Chiefs, 28-27.
It was a superb game. The Highlanders had the edge in the first half following three well worked tries. However, the Chiefs stayed in the match though and when Anton Lienert-Brown crossed with eight minutes to play, it was a one-point game.
Then came the dramatic conclusion. First, Damian McKenzie looked to have wrapped it up for the Chiefs with a drop goal just two minutes before full time, but in response, Bryn Gatland nailed a 40 metre drop goal of his own. Bryn’s father, Warren, is the Chiefs coach.
When he reflects on the game, he will acknowledge that the Highlanders pack was superb, especially their maul. This was the source of three first-half tries.
But the Chiefs backline was brilliant, their handling superb. You can’t say the same about their handling at the line-out, however. Mistakes there cost them. And so did the nerve, brilliance and technique of Bryn Gatland.
