The Highlanders were not always at their best but they held on for a 27-17 win on Sunday during Super Round at One NZ Stadium.
‘‘There’s that old saying,’’ Kidwell told the Otago Daily Times from Christchurch.
‘‘An ugly win is better than a pretty loss.
‘‘We’ll take it. We’ll take the four points.
‘‘There is obviously some stuff we need to work on, but we knew we were in for a scrap, and we knew Moana Pasifika were going to come at us.’’
The Highlanders were more erratic than efficient for much of the game at the new stadium.
They also missed 32 tackles — that would not have impressed defence coach Kidwell — but on the plus side, they soaked up pressure at crucial times and found a way to win.
‘‘We didn’t take our opportunities in the first half, and we left a couple of tries out there,’’ Kidwell said.
‘‘I thought we started better in the second half, but then we didn’t execute our plan well enough and we let them back in the game.
‘‘It’s just finding that good balance for us. When we pull the trigger on our plan, and we know what’s happening, and we’re very certain and clear, our plan works.
‘‘It’s just about when things don’t go to plan, getting back on course and doing what works.’’
Kidwell has spent much of his adulthood in Australia, but he is a Canterbury man at heart.
He had family around him in Christchurch — where the former Kiwis league star has a huge mural on the side of a city building — and loved his first experience of the $683 million stadium.
‘‘The stadium is awesome, actually. Really good for the city.
‘‘We were the fourth game on it, and it looked like the ground held up well. And the stadium itself is beautiful, and it’s something the city has needed since 2011.’’
The Highlanders are in camp in Christchurch until they fly to Fiji on Thursday.
They will need to step up for another must-win game against the Drua in Ba on Saturday.
‘‘We need to fix up a few wee things and put in a good performance against the Drua, who are a tough team over in Fiji.
‘‘We’ve got things in place. We know what we need to do. Hopefully we can go and get a win and then come home to play the Waratahs and just keep on going.’’
The Highlanders will take 27 players to Fiji.
One of those will be gutsy first five Cameron Millar, who kicked a late penalty on Sunday with a thick bandage around his forehead after being covered in blood from a cut.
Millar has had a couple of stitches above his eye, but will be fine to play the Drua.
Star winger Caleb Tangitau is in Christchurch and progressing well after his head knock.
Meanwhile, injured utility back Reesjan Pasitoa has had his spirits boosted after being ruled out for the season. He and his fiancee, Monique, welcomed baby Zaliya, their second daughter, on Anzac Day.
