Match Details: Sunday 19 July, 3:35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Referee: Mike Fraser
Played: 34
Won: Chiefs 18, Highlanders 15, 1 draw
Last match: Highlanders 28 Chiefs 27
Watch: Sky Sport 1
FORM
The Chiefs are 0-and-4 and the Highlanders are 1-and-3. Uncharacteristically the Chiefs have struggled to score tries in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. They’ve only bagged four and a penalty try, and it’s been a real work on for Chiefs attack coach Roger Randle who addressed the issue this week. The Highlanders pushed the Crusaders and got close to the Hurricanes last week, so this should be a real tight battle on Sunday, no different to their first encounter. Both sides have been close to several wins but haven’t been able to go all the way. We suspect it will be another tight one in Hamilton.
REVENGE OF WARREN GATLAND
We all know what happened the last time these two sides played. Enter Bryn Gatland. He slots a drop kick and the Highlanders steal the victory in the final minutes. And in doing so, he denied his Dad, Warren, victory. Even though Bryn isn’t in the game day 23, it’s a scenario we’re sure the Chiefs have been planning for again and they’ll be hoping it’s their own Gatland who gets the W and not the younger Highlanders one.
HIGHLANDERS UNBEATEN STREAK
The Highlanders are on a three game unbeaten streak over the Chiefs. And those three games have been decided by no more than three points each time. At the start of last season, the Highlanders got up 30-27 in Hamilton, they drew late last season and then obviously the one-point thriller earlier in this competition. However, prior to the Highlanders latest streak, the Chiefs were on a three-game winning run of their own.
JOSH IOANE RETURNS
The long-awaited return of Josh Ioane. The one-Test All Black is set to make his first appearance in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa after recovering from a groin injury. He was named to play in the opening game against the Chiefs but sustained the injury at captain’s run the day before and he’s been out of action ever since. Mitch Hunt has been in stellar form for the southerners and the coaches have kept their faith in him to start at 10, with Ioane to make an impact off the bench.
A GOOD CAUSE
100% of proceeds from every Fan Zone child ticket will go towards providing beds and bedding for disadvantaged Kiwi kids through Variety – the Children’s Charity. The Chiefs are aiming to provide 50 beds including bedding, so by taking your kids along to the match on Sunday, you’ll also be helping kids who are sleeping on the floor this winter.
STATCHAT (Opta)
Highlanders hooker and co-Captain Ash Dixon has the best percentage for successful lineout throws in the competition. In four matches, he’s thrown 32 lineouts, with just the one unsuccessful attempt giving him a 97% success rate.
TEAMS
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross 2. Bradley Slater 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Tupou Vaa’i 5. Mitchell Brown 6. Lachlan Boshier 7. Sam Cane © 8. Pita Gus Sowakula 9. Brad Weber 10. Kaleb Trask 11. Solomon Alaimalo 12. Alex Nankivell 13. Anton Lienert-Brown 14. Sean Wainui 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho 17. Reuben O’Neill 18. Ross Geldenhuys 19. Adam Thompson 20. Mitchell Karpik 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Quinn Tupaea
Highlanders: 1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Ash Dixon (cc) 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Paripari Parkinson 5. Jack Whetton 6. Shannon Frizell 7. Dillon Hunt 8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Scott Gregory 12. Patelesio Tomkinson 13. Rob Thompson 14. Josh McKay 15. Michael Collins
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman 17. Ethan De Groot 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 20. Jesse Parete 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Josh Ioane 23. Jona Nareki