Highlanders vs Chiefs and Blues against Hurricanes played their first games earlier this morning. Although the reports are short here it is. Seems like everyone is playing 4 quarters and no real urgency is showed. Will wait and see how the Stormers approach their game later today.

Highlanders 31 Chiefs 24

The Highlanders overcame a sizeable early deficit to beat the Chiefs 31-24 in a Super 14 pre-season fixture in Dunedin today.

In warm conditions at Carisbrook, both teams employed a total of 27 players in a four-quarter affair which was open and clearly lacking real intent.

The Highlanders trailed 19-5 after the first quarter but gradually overhauled the visitors, scoring 14 unanswered points in the final stanza.

Two of their five tries went to transplanted Canterbury winger James Paterson, while the others went to halfback Sean Romans, flanker John Hardie and prop Bronson Murray. First five-eighth Matt Berquist slotted three conversions.

Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, winger Jason Hona, prop Hikairo Forbes and hooker Aled de Malmanche crossed for the Chiefs while first five-eighth Trent Renata landed two conversions.

There appeared to be no serious injuries although Highlanders No 8 Nasi Manu left the ground favouring his shoulder.

In Dunedin: Highlanders 31 (James Paterson 2, Sean Romans, Bronson Murray, James Hardie tries; Matt Berquist 3 con) Chiefs 24 (Jason Hona, Tim Nanai-Williams, Aled de Malmanche, Hikairo Forbes tries; Trent Renata 2 con). Halftime: 10-19.

Blues 19 Hurricanes 17

Poor weather and the boot of Daniel Kirkpatrick dampened the occasion for Hurricanes fans in Mangatainoka today as the Blues won a pre-season Super 14 rugby match 19-17.

Both sides scored three tries in a spectacle marred by rain and cold conditions but two conversions to former Wellington first five-eighth Kirkpatrick proved the difference after the score was locked 5-5 at halftime.

The match was an 8000-seat sellout on a farm in the small Wairarapa community which is made famous by the presence of popular beer brewery.

The players struggled to respond in kind because of the conditions although the game opened up in the dying stages when the sun poked through.

Blues winger Rene Ranger was a standout performer, always looking threatening and crossing for two tries. Their other try went to halfback Taniela Moa.

The Hurricanes scored through prop Anthony Perenise, halfback Chris Eaton and centre Charlie Ngatai while first five-eighth Willie Ripia landed one conversion.

There were no apparent major injuries in a game in which players came and went off the reserve bench.

In Mangatainoka: Blues 19 (Rene Ranger 2, Taniela Moa tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 con) Hurricanes 17 (Anthony Perenise, Chris Eaton, Charlie Ngatai tries; Willie Ripia con). Halftime 5-5.