Did you believe? Don't lie. If you thought the Highlanders would still be in playoff contention this late in the season, you were either deluded, drunk or called Jamie Joseph/Mackintosh.
Young winger Telusa Veainu makes his first start of the season, along with experienced midfielder Matt Saunders, as the Highlanders look to get back on track tomorrow night.
Kenny Lynn began the Super 15 rugby competition under an injury cloud but he has been one of the few constants in the Highlanders' backline this season.
All Black second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu returns to the Hurricanes starting lineup to face the Highlanders in a Super 15 match in Invercargill on Friday night.
The Chiefs arm-wrestled their way to their fourth win in 11 Super 15 rugby matches with a 20-7 win over an injury-stricken Highlanders in Hamilton today.
The Highlanders face an injury crisis in the outside backs and star loose forward Adam Thomson is out for a month, as the side's lack of depth starts to be exposed.
Lima Sopoaga comes back into the side while Robbie Robinson is slotted into fullback as the Highlanders look to get their season back on track after hitting a speed bump last week.
Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith is clear to face the Chiefs in a Super rugby match on Saturday after a Sanzar judicial hearing found him not guilty of foul play today.
All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu returns to the Chiefs team for their Super 15 rmatch against the Highlanders in Hamilton on Saturday night after an injury-enforced week on the sidelines.