Professional rugby union resumed today after a three-month Covid-19 shutdown as the Otago Highlanders beat the Waikato Chiefs 28-27 in the opener of New Zealand's Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
With a crowd of about 20,000 at the game, which was also broadcast to a global television audience, Highlanders replacement Bryn Gatland slotted a 79th-minute drop-goal to down the Chiefs, who are coached by his father Warren.
"It was a bit of an ugly one but it went through," said Bryn. "But I was just thinking about finishing the game. There was still time left on the clock."
His father said he did not have mixed emotions about how the result was achieved but was just annoyed to have lost.
"I'm not happy we lost the game, I don't care whether he's my son or not," Warren said with a wry grin. "I'm still disappointed with the result."
Both teams struggled with the stricter interpretation of the rules at the breakdown and tackle and referee Paul Williams dished out more than 30 penalties.
What a finish in Dunedin!! And it's a family affair!!@Highlanders' Bryn Gatland kicks a late drop goal to beat @ChiefsRugby 28-27... could be awkward next time he bumps into his dad who's coaching the Chiefs these days!
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 13, 2020
Catch up here 👉 https://t.co/VwF3wzg9lW pic.twitter.com/tGDMeBTrKn
The hometown Highlanders, roared on by thousands of Otago University students in 'The Zoo' section of the indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, had to overcome two periods with just 14 men after Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki were sinbinned for dangerous tackles.
Highlanders captain Ash Dixon scored the first try of the competition, while Koroi and Nareki were perilously close to becoming the first players to receive red cards after dangerous tackles in each half.
The Chiefs were kept in the game through Damian McKenzie's boot as he converted four of his side's penalties, while the fullback gave the visitors a 27-25 lead with two minutes remaining through a drop-goal.
The Highlanders, however, managed to set up field position just inside Chiefs territory from the restart and Gatland calmly slotted home the winning drop-kick from almost 40 metres to send the passionate home fans into delirium.
New Zealand's government lifted virtually all Covid-19 restrictions earlier this week, allowing a 10-week competition for the country's five Super Rugby teams to begin this weekend without any limits on crowd sizes.
The competition has been organised after the main Super Rugby tournament, which also involves teams from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan, was halted in mid-March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile, 43,000 tickets have been snapped up for the Auckland Blues match against the Wellington Hurricanes tomorrow, with officials putting up the 'full house' sign at Eden Park. Eden Park can usually seat up to about 50,000.
