Cape Town - The defending champion Chiefs got their 2013 Super Rugby campaign off to a winning start when they beat the Highlanders in their all-New Zealand clash in Dunedin on Friday.
The Chiefs won 41-27 after leading 16-14 at half-time.
The Chiefs scored four tries through centre Tim Nanai-Williams (2) and wings Patrick Osborne and Asaeli Tikoirotuma. Fullback Gareth Anscombe added three conversions and five penalties for a personal haul of 21 points.
The Highlanders replied with tries by fullback Ben Smith and wings Hosea Gear and Kade Poki. Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga was on target with all three conversions as well as two penalties.
The Chiefs picked up a full house of five points to move to the top of both the New Zealand Conference and Overall log.
The Highlanders left empty-handed and bring up the rear in the standings.
In next weekend's Round 3 action, the Chiefs host the Cheetahs in Hamilton while the Highlanders enjoy a bye.
Teams:
Highlanders:
15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Phil Burleigh, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear (captain), 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. John Hardie, 6. Joe Wheeler, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 3. Ma'afu Fia, 2. Brayden Mitchell, 1. Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Elliot Dixon, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Fumiaki Tanaka, 21. Hayden Parker, 22. Buxton Popoalii
Chiefs:
15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot1 Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Lelia Masaga
The Chiefs won 41-27 after leading 16-14 at half-time.
The Chiefs scored four tries through centre Tim Nanai-Williams (2) and wings Patrick Osborne and Asaeli Tikoirotuma. Fullback Gareth Anscombe added three conversions and five penalties for a personal haul of 21 points.
The Highlanders replied with tries by fullback Ben Smith and wings Hosea Gear and Kade Poki. Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga was on target with all three conversions as well as two penalties.
The Chiefs picked up a full house of five points to move to the top of both the New Zealand Conference and Overall log.
The Highlanders left empty-handed and bring up the rear in the standings.
In next weekend's Round 3 action, the Chiefs host the Cheetahs in Hamilton while the Highlanders enjoy a bye.
Teams:
Highlanders:
15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Phil Burleigh, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear (captain), 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. John Hardie, 6. Joe Wheeler, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 3. Ma'afu Fia, 2. Brayden Mitchell, 1. Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Elliot Dixon, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Fumiaki Tanaka, 21. Hayden Parker, 22. Buxton Popoalii
Chiefs:
15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot1 Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Lelia Masaga