Highlanders secure dramatic late comeback to sink Chiefs for second time in Super Rugby Aotearoa

What a match.

That's all that needs to be said about the Highlanders' clash against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato, as they overturned a 24-0 deficit to claim the unlikeliest 33-31 win.

It echoes that of the Highlanders' last-gasp 28-27 win in Dunedin last month, where Bryn Gatland slotted a late drop goal to sink his father's side at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

This time, it was Sio Tomkinson who was the hero as he scored a thrilling injury time try to give his side the win in what must surely be heralded as the match of the season.

It was a win that nobody would have seen coming by the 22nd minute given how things panned out from the get-go.

Deprived of field position throughout the opening five minutes of the match, the Highlanders were punished through a Lachlan Boshier try.

Patient build-up by the hosts was rewarded when the blindside flanker burst through a gap created by a Rob Thompson slip up, allowing Boshier to scorch in under the posts untouched.

Highlanders first-five Mitch Hunt had the chance to put a dent in the Chiefs’ lead just moments later via a penalty attempt after some good continuity from his side placed them inside the opposition half for the first time in the match.

The sprayed kick at goal from out in front let the home side off the hook, though, and Warren Gatland’s men showed no mercy in retaliating. 

A slew of infringements put the ball back into the other end of the field, and some hard, direct running was enough for Anton Lienert-Brown to double the Chiefs’ lead.

The Highlanders’ lack of discipline shown continued to hurt the visitors, with Rob Thompson sent to the bin for a high shot on young lock Tupou Vaa’i.

McKenzie nailed the ensuing 45m penalty attempt to leave the 14-man Highlanders in a real rut as they faced a 17-0 deficit after just 15 minutes.

The onslaught carried on while Thompson served his sentence in the naughty chair.

Further penalties went against the Highlanders’ favour, which let the Chiefs set up a rolling maul from a lineout five metres from their own line.

Hooker Bradley Slater reaped the rewards as his forward pack marched their way through their opponents to heap more misery on the out-of-sorts southerners.

Some impressive athleticism by Shannon Frizell from the following restart provided the Highlanders with a source of inspiration as they eyed to get themselves on the board and chew into the Chiefs’ hefty lead.