Twitter explodes as Bryn Gatland scores match-winning drop goal to defeat Warren Gatland's Chiefs

A last-minute drop goal from Bryn Gatland has secured a dramatic win for the Highlanders against the much fancied Chiefs in Dunedin.

Facing his father and Chiefs head coach Warren, Bryn rammed home a three-pointer from close range in the dying stages in front of a near-sold out arena to give the southerners an early leg-up in the Kiwi Super Rugby league.

The 25-year-old’s efforts in the 79th minute was met with a raucous reception under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium, and pundits on Twitter joined in on the jubilation – and dejection – as the hosts rejoiced following a tensely-fought battle.

Kirstie Stanway and Israel Dagg talk to rugby players from around New Zealand as they gear up for week one of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Kirstie Stanway and Israel Dagg talk to rugby players from around New Zealand as they gear up for week one of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Coming into the match day squad as a late replacement for the injured Josh Ioane, Gatland became the unlikely hero for the Highlanders in what is his only appearance for the 2015 Super Rugby champions this season.

Bryn Gatland, who wasn’t even supposed to be playing, nails a late DG to beat his dad’s Chiefs team by one point. ?pic.twitter.com/iWlPoqaEGX

— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) June 13, 2020

Bryn Gatland wasn’t even supposed to play for the Highlanders tonight but Josh Ioane’s late scratching lands him a spot on the bench. He comes on to score the winning drop goal to beat a Chiefs team coached by his dad. Not a bad way to start the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) June 13, 2020

That Bryn Gatland drop goal was an absolute beauty. Like a flyaway ball on the beach it flailed around and eventually went through.

— Sam Larner (@SamLStandsUp) June 13, 2020

Live sport. Great win for @Highlanders
How good seeing @BrynGatland get one over his dad.

Aaron mauger will be screaming “Double roll” at all his ball carries in training next week. #HIGvCHI

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) June 13, 2020

Other Twitter users were quick to highlight the irony of Gatland being the source of Warren’s – who was earlier this week named the greatest coach in the world by fans – demise.

https://twitter.com/michaelcolhoun/status/1271733884305068032

Warren Gatland wishing he’d pulled out all those years ago!! ? #BrynGatland #SuperRugbyAotearoa

— Chris Jones (@CJones_94) June 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/lucus910/status/1271736120645226496

https://twitter.com/Runningflyhalf/status/1271728541365874688

Bryn Gatland scored the drop goal to beat the Warren Gatland coached Chiefs.
In unrelated news Bryn is now out of Warren's will.

— Sanjay Patel (@spat106) June 13, 2020

The result leaves Warren’s Chiefs rooted to the bottom of the Super Rugby Aotearoa standings as they prepare to host the much-discussed Blues in Hamilton next week.

That could prove to be a difficult task for the Waikato franchise should the Blues, who will field All Blacks star Beauden Barrett for the first time tomorrow against the Hurricanes at Eden Park, emerge victorious against the Wellingtonians.

With elevated confidence, Leon MacDonald’s side may well be a tougher ask to handle than that of the Highlanders, who were written off by many leading into the revamped campaign, with the TAB placing them at odds of $31.

Aaron Mauger’s side, meanwhile, will head into their bye week on top of the world, with a clash against Blues in Auckland awaiting them in two weeks’ time.

How that match pans out remains to be seen, but if tonight’s performance is anything to go by, the Dunedin club could well be a force to be reckoned with throughout the rest of this season.