'It works': What the Highlanders proved in comeback versus Chiefs

The Highlanders winless streak against New Zealand teams continued with a 28-21 loss to the Chiefs but a brave fightback has proved that they are on the right track.

The Chiefs looked to be in cruise control when a try from a kick return to Cortez Ratima gave the home side a 28-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining.

But a furious rally with three tries, including two in the last 10 minutes, gave the Highlanders a golden chance to at least tie the match.

Highlanders captain Billy Harmon said the comeback “proves” that the high-possession game they want to play will work.

“We gave ourselves a chance,” Highlanders captain Billy Harmon told Sky Sport NZ.

“But we just weren’t quite accurate in some plays. We let a lot of ball go, dropped a lot of ball, but we proved our shape works.

“It creates for us, now we just need to get better at finishing it off.”

Harmon’s reference to the possession-based rugby the Highlanders use resulted in 192 carries compared to just 66 for the Chiefs.

In the wet conditions Harmon led with 30 carries, second five-eighth Sam Gilbert finished with 26, and growing lock Fabian Holland logged 20.

As a result they finished with 66 per cent possession and 62 per cent territory but a total of 23 turnovers lost cost the side.

Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson, who was sin binned during the second half, wasn’t surprised the Highlanders were able to give them a fright.

“As we knew, the Highlanders are a gritty team and they were right back in there,” Jacobson said.

“Probably didn’t start the way we’d like and probably our own worst enemy there at times. Our discipline and ball skill execution.

“Credit to Landers they really played, they’ve got some X-factor players and they put us under pressure.”