KEY POINTS:
Queenstown's adrenaline-junky reputation was replicated on the rugby field as the Chiefs pipped the Highlanders 38-34 in today's end-to-end Super 14 match.
For fans who have bemoaned a lack of try-scoring action in the Super 14 this year, they feasted on an open game which produced 10 tries.
The lead changed four times in the match where the equation was simple for both sides -- a win was necessary to keep their semifinal hopes flickering.
The Chiefs will climb a few places to 22 points, but despite the loss the, Highlanders still took two bonus points to also move to 22 after matching the Chiefs' five tries.
But the game produced a handful of casualties, especially for the Highlanders.
With Crusaders lock Chris Jack out for the season with a torn hamstring tendon, All Blacks selector Brian Lochore would have been concerned watching from the stands as Highlanders lock James Ryan was stretchered off after seven minutes clutching his left knee.
The anticipated battle between the two form halfbacks in Jimmy Cowan and Byron Kelleher failed to materialise with both No 9s cancelling each other out.
The Highlanders' Cowan was also substituted at halftime through injury.
The Highlanders will be ruing their kicking with the usually accurate Nick Evans only landing two conversions from four tries.
The breezy conditions did not help, but they failed to distract Evans' opposite Stephen Donald as the first-five eighth converted all five tries.
The Chiefs held a 17-15 halftime lead with two tries apiece, but then the floodgates opened as the defence around the fringes evaporated and gaping holes appeared in the midfield.
By the 57th minute, both teams had a bonus point each for scoring four tries.
Converted Chiefs fullback Sitiveni Sivivatu profited as the All Blacks winger scored twice and featured frequently on attack with wing Leila Masaga also bagging a brace.
The Chiefs opened the scoring in the 16th minute despite surrendering a wealth of territory in the opening quarter with a strong breeze at their backs.
Following a bullocking run from Chiefs No 8 Sione Lauaki, one of many in the first half, second five-eighth Niva Ta'auso crossed.
The Highlanders responded minutes later with a gem of a try to winger Lucky Mulipola who dashed 50 metres turning his opposite wing Roy Kinikinilau inside-out.
Kinikinilau's defensive frailties were exposed again when he failed to field a bomb which saw hooker Anton Oliver scamper to the corner.
Kinikinilau compensated for his earlier lapses with a charging run up the centre to feed Sivivatu to score under the posts.
Evans and Donald traded late penalties handing the Chiefs their halftime lead.
The breaks were fully removed after the break as the floodgates opened after the break.
Masaga crossed for his first try, then the see-saw action kicked in.
Highlanders wing Vili Waqaseduadua scored for the hosts before Sivivatu broke through two forwards for his second.
Highlanders centre Matt Saunders ran nearly 70m for his five-pointer, then a try to replacement halfback Toby Morland gave the Highlanders a 32-31 lead.
But Masaga broke the local hopes with his second in the 70th minute.
Chiefs 38 (Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Leila Masaga 2, Niva Ta'auso tries; Stephen Donald pen, 5 con) Highlanders 34 (Lucky Mulipola, Anton Oliver, Vili Waqaseduadua, Matt Saunders, Toby Morland tries; Nick Evans pen, 2 con, Charlie Hore con). Halftime: 17-15.
- NZPA
