The Chiefs withstood a fierce and emotional challenge from the Highlanders to claim a hard-earned 26–23 victory in Dunedin, extending their dominance in the fixture to eight straight wins.
It capped a strong opening to the season for the Chiefs, who have now banked two quality away victories to start their campaign.
The night carried deep emotion for the Highlanders following the tragic passing of prop Angus Ta’avao’s son, Leo. A moving pre-match tribute set the tone for a performance driven by heart, urgency and pride.
The hosts struck first. A pinpoint cut-out pass from Folau Fakatava sent Jona Nareki into space, and the winger finished clinically to ignite the Dunedin crowd.
The Chiefs responded quickly. Samisoni Taukei’aho powered over from the back of a rolling maul to level the scores inside the opening ten minutes.
Despite losing Jahrome Brown early to a head injury assessment, the visitors began to stretch the Highlanders out wide. Sustained pressure eventually told during a chaotic passage of play that produced a stunning try for Leroy Carter, giving the Chiefs a narrow halftime advantage.
The moment of brilliance was sparked by Quinn Tuapea, who reacted sharply after a cross-field kick drifted just beyond Sean Withy. Tuapea took the ensuing lineout dropout quickly, sliced through the defence and linked with Carter to finish the move.
Highlanders fly-half Cameron Millar dragged his side back into the contest with two early second-half penalties, trimming the margin to a single point. But the Chiefs soon swung momentum back their way with a devastating counterattack.
Locks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i combined for a remarkable 90-metre surge. Although Vaa’i was hauled down short, Nareki was yellow-carded for a professional foul as the Highlanders scrambled desperately.
The hosts showed immense resolve, holding Taukei’aho up over the line and denying Simon Parker after a wicked bounce from Kyren Taumoefolau’s kick. But once Nareki returned from the bin, the pressure told.
Taukei’aho struck again, pouncing on an errant five-metre lineout that fell perfectly into his hands. Kalyum Boshier added another score with 13 minutes remaining to stretch the Chiefs’ lead to 13 points.
The Highlanders refused to fade. Tries from Caleb Tangitau and Veveni Lasaqa in the final ten minutes secured a losing bonus point, but missed conversions proved costly and ended hopes of a stirring comeback.
In the end, the Chiefs’ composure under pressure was decisive — a gritty win forged in difficult circumstances and another statement of intent early in the Super Rugby season.
Chiefs 26 (Tries: Taukei’aho 2, Boshier, Carter; Cons: Jacomb 3) def Highlanders 23 (Tries: Nareki, Lasaqa, Tangitau; Cons: Millar; Pens: Millar 2)
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Rohan Wingham, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Kaylum Boshier, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Jared Proffit
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Emoni Narawa
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Michael Winter, Ben Wollerton
TMO: Aaron Paterson
English