The Highlanders beat the Chiefs in the first round of the Super 15 and it looked like it was going to be a long year for the Chiefs. But they turned it around to win the competition, while the Highlanders fell to ninth. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at four key differences between the Chiefs and the Highlanders.
1. Key men stay on the field
You can argue this point until the cows come home, but the most valuable players on a rugby field are the openside flanker and the first five-eighth.
The Chiefs had quality in these two positions. In Tanerau Latimer and Sam Cane, they had two men who have worn the black jersey, while Aaron Cruden was an ever-present for the champions. The Highlanders, in the pivot position, had to wheel in a former All Black from Japan in Mike Delany because of injuries, and his form rapidly went south.
Chris Noakes did well in patches but was not the full package.
John Hardie looked like a million dollars for the Highlanders in the No 7 jersey but broke a toe and spent the rest of the year in the stands. He was sorely missed as James Haskell, Doug Tietjens and Tim Boys took on the fetching role with limited success.
2. Momentum
The Chiefs got on a roll after that first-up loss to the Highlanders.
They won eight games in a row and gained plenty of confidence.
They also managed to win a couple of tight matches - against the Brumbies and the Sharks - which gave the players plenty of trust in each other.
They discovered that habit of winning, which is so vital for many sides.
The wheels came off a tad near the end of the season - losing to the Crusaders and then the Hurricanes in the final two rounds - but they managed to stay on track in the playoffs.
The Highlanders, on the other hand, started off well with four wins in a row. But they won only five of their remaining 12 games and struggled to get anything going. The season ended limply, with three straight losses, and the side lacked a bit of self-belief at times.
3. Sonny Bill Williams
Love him or hate him, the second five-eighth was a big difference for the Chiefs. He could get his side over the advantage line with ease and set up some crucial tries, especially in big games.
His partnership with Richard Kahui was lethal before being ended early. How much the Chiefs depended on him will be shown next year, when he is not around.
The Highlanders' midfield was decimated by injury. Even before the season started, three of the main men were down. It never really improved and not once did Jamie Joseph have all his midfield options available.
4. Luck
Whatever you call it - good fortune, fate, the cards falling the right way - every team needs a dose of it to be successful.
The Chiefs: Did not have to play the Stormers at all; never played the Crusaders in Christchurch; played both finals games at home; had the bye after four games and then after another seven games; key man Cruden was carted off in an All Black test but played the next week; it never rained in Hamilton; Robbie Robinson learned how to tackle.
The Highlanders: Did not play the Lions or Force; had to face a rampant Crusaders in Christchurch; had byes at wrong time (who wants a bye in the last round?); key man Colin Slade was carted off for good in the fifth game; referees decided to have mind blanks in various games.
You make your own luck, they say, but sometimes the world turns your way. Or it doesn't.
