First Take: Chiefs played like a mix of strangers

Chiefs left wing James Loew is taken down by Highlanders fullback Ben Smith (L) and Waisake Naholo during the Chiefs vs Highlanders Super 15 rugby match. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Chiefs 17
Highlanders 20

Who'd be a coach? For most of the time it must be a good gig at the Chiefs.

Two Super rugby titles in the last three campaigns and a strong start this season including a comprehensive victory against the Crusaders. The staff and the squad were on the same frequency and that unity was oozing through their work.

Then we watched the Chiefs latest effort, at least I think they were the Chiefs. They were men clad in the right livery but playing like a mix of strangers asked to have a run together.

With their possession flow they should have been 20 points ahead after the opening quarter, instead they went to the break and looked at a 14-3 deficit on the scoreboard.

Captain Liam Messam must have wished he'd failed his concussion test mid-afternoon-either that or he felt woozy again when the Chiefs reached the sheds and listened to the withering words of the coaching staff.

The Highlanders did a great job hanging tough for much of the half against the weight of possession and territory. They had more grit than the trucks deliver to combat midwinter conditions in the deep south but the Chiefs were ragged.

Maybe they were dragged down a level as the Black Caps discovered when they struggled to beat an inferior opponent like Scotland in the World Cup. Perhaps, maybe, possibly. They're either reasons or excuses with the strong money on the latter.

Good teams do not get as sloppy and rattled as the Chiefs were especially on their home turf. The Chiefs jumped out of the barrier effectively this season and then found every way of making standard rugby look as tough as completing a Rubiks Cube blindfolded.

For once it gives validity to the regular post match comments about work-ons.