Highlanders account for Chiefs
Sportal.com.au
February 21, 2003

The Highlanders have opened their Super 12 campaign with a 29-16 win over the Chiefs at Hamilton.

Willie Walker booted eight penalties for the Highlanders, a record for a New Zealand player in a Super 12 match.

The Highlanders led 12-6 at half-time courtesy of four Walker penalties with the Chiefs staying in touch through two penalties to Glen Jackson.

After Walker and Jackson exchanged penalties early in the second half, the Chiefs snatched the lead for the first time in the 51st minute when No.8 Paul Miller crashed over for a try. Jackson converted to give the Chiefs a deserved 16-15 lead after dominating territory and the breakdown.

The Chiefs almost extended their lead just five minutes later when lock Keith Robinson was stopped centimetres short. But the Highlanders survived to launch a counter-attack that culminated in Walker regaining the lead with his sixth penalty in the 60th minute.

Walker continued to punish the Chiefs, extending the Highlanders' lead to 21-16 with 10 minutes remaining.

He added another soon after before Highlanders winger Aisea Tuilevu sealed the game in the 76th minute with a try in the corner.

Walker failed to complete a perfect night pushing the conversion wide.

SCOREBOARD:

Highlanders 29 (Tuilevu try, Walker 8 pens)

Chiefs 16 (Miller try, Jackson 3 pens, 1 con) at Hamilton

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices