First take: Quality precision on display from Chiefs and Highlanders

Charlie Ngatai scores for the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images

Everyone gets a buzz when precision plays crafted on the training field produce results.

Coaches let their emotions loose, players give high five slaps and spectators roar their approval. Opportunities to use a set move are rare and may not occur for several games.

When they hit the mark though, they are designed to be very potent.

The Chiefs and Highlanders proved that with several moves which will be on the highlights reel in the team debriefs after their Super 15 derby clash.

A forwards and backs mix of five Chiefs players delivered a perfect catch and pass routine which stimulated memories of All Black fitness adviser Jim Blair and his skills sessions.

Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Charlie Ngatai and Robbie Fruean generated so much time and space with the speed and accuracy of their passing under pressure that Tim Nanai-Williams had an uncluttered run to the line.

It was high quality technical precision, payback for the training ground routines and classroom theory, as the Highlanders showed when they responded with a textbook lineout catch and driving maul to the line.

Hooker Liam Coltman got the first detail right when his throw hit lock Joe Wheeler at the top of his lineout leap.

His teammates then formed a splintering arrowhead formation which the Chiefs were unable to repel, as it rumbled to the line.

When coaches Dave Rennie and Jamie Joseph chatted after the match they would have given each other an approving nod about those juicy moments when practice skills deliver some real time gold.