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Jona Nareki’s magical feet fooled the Chiefs as the Highlanders pulled off a brilliant 39-23 comeback at Hamilton on Friday night.
The pace and tricks of the Highlanders winger separated the hosts and his hat-trick gave new Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan a loss in his first game.
It’s also a 10th loss in a row for the Chiefs, extending a franchise record, but the Highlanders are on the board with a bonus point win at Super Rugby Aotearoa after falling to the Crusaders last Friday.
Bruce Lim / photosport
Jona Nareki was in magical form when the Highlanders returned to beat the Chiefs at Hamilton.
The Chiefs entered the competition this weekend, with a limited crowd due to Covid-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions at FMG Stadium Waikato, and their second half went from bad to worse, their discipline and poor defending them. it was very expensive.
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They even lost the challenge of a late Highlanders captain, the first used since their introduction, due to a high elbow from Mitchell Brown on a carry.
Bruce Lim / PHOTOSPORT
Highlanders winger Jona Nareki helped himself make three attempts in his impressive 39-23 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Referee Paul Williams kept a close eye on the offside line and the Highlanders were initially on the receiving end, although the tables turned on the Chiefs after halftime.
The Highlanders lost Sio Tomkinson and co-captain Ash Dixon in the first half to yellow cards, the latter just as the former returned to the field, and the Chiefs were pressing for a third down when Nareki’s interception score saved the visitors lagging behind by more than 20 points.
It was a break the mountain people needed. The Chiefs started off excellently and led 20-6 thanks to quick hands, excellent shots and their pack pushing the Highlanders back at scrum time.
Folau Fakatava, the promising midfielder on everyone’s lips due to his uncertain future, was solid, if not spectacular, until he proved why he is in high demand.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Folau Fakatava scored a crucial try for the Highlanders in the second half against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium.
His brilliant step into a ruck caught the Chiefs napping and the No. 9 livewire scored with his last act, in the 50th minute, before All Black Aaron Smith entered the contest with the Highlanders gaining momentum.
Luke Jacobson and Tupou Vaa’i led the Chiefs with conviction, but Shannon Frizell was a threat to the Highlanders in the collapse.
Frizell, the All Blacks lazy forward, was also at the end of a sweeping move, inspired by Nareki’s devastating run, to give the Highlanders the lead for the first time in the 53rd minute.
Nareki then pinned his ears back to score in the right corner for his third attempt in seven minutes to give the Southerners a 12-point lead.
He closed his hat-trick with another outstanding finish, this time in the left corner, and with it a third straight victory for the Highlanders at Hamilton.
The Chiefs were stunned, their confidence shattered, mistakes slipped, and Bryn Gatland’s debut in five eighths was an unhappy outing in his hometown.
Bruce Lim / PHOTOSPORT
Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie scores the hosts’ second try during a dominant first half by Clayton McMillan’s men.
Previously, Damian McKenzie put the Chiefs ahead for a perfect start, but a succession of early penalties slowed the game as Williams enforced the law.
McKenzie and Josh Ioane exchanged penalty goals, however both sides were willing to shoot the ball despite eight first-quarter penalties.
First, the Highlanders were punished more severely by Williams’ whistle (Tomkinson received a yellow card in the 20th minute for offside with the Chiefs in attack) and Luke Jacobson crashed on the first try after the hosts backed off their scrum. close to the line.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Referee Paul Williams shows Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon (not pictured) a yellow card.
Jacobson’s break then put the Highlanders on their back foot and McKenzie came in with the visitors’ defense in tatters.
With the Highlanders back to 14 men after Dixon’s yellow, Nareki’s interception after pouncing on Gatland’s deflected kick was exactly what they needed to bring them to life.
The Chiefs had no response, save for McKenzie’s third penalty goal.
TAKE A LOOK
Highlanders 39 (Jona Nareki 3, Folau Fakatava, Shannon Frizelltries; Josh John 2 pen, 4 with) Heads 23 (Luke Jacobson, Damian McKenzie tries; McKenzie 3 pen, 2 with) HT: 11-20.
MVP Points: June Nareki 3, Shannon Frizell 2, Sail Fakatava 1.
