Chiefs beat Highlanders for minor premiership
- Dave Worsley
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Chiefs have started the final weekend of Super Rugby round robin 2025 with a big win over the Highlanders, but it wasn't always pretty.as they wrapped the minor premiership title.
The 41-24 2in in Dunedin saw All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i scored three tries in total, two in the first half and one in teh second after the Chiefs led by just 19-14 at halftime.
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A perfect chip in behind by Damian McKenzie sparked the visitors, with lovely hands putting Samipeni Finau over for the opener after just five minutes.
Then Vaa’i made his big impact on the game, scoring a quick-fire double to give them a 19-0 lead after 14 minutes.
The Highlanders were rattled and it took co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai to assist
de Groot powered over from short for their first points and then a yellow card to prop Reuben O’Neill left the visitors scrambling to finish the half.
This is where inspirational centre Tavatavanawai lit up Forysth Barr Stadium, spinning through the defence and slamming it down to celebrate his new deal in style.
The break came at the perfect time for the Chiefs, who replicated their first-half efforts after Xavier Roe sprinted down the short side to score after a strong rolling maul.
It allows them to control the second half and secure the win via McKenzie's boot and a try to replacement Manasa Mataele.
Sam Gilbert gave The Zoo something to celebrate with a late try in his final game for the club.
A desperate covering tackle from Cortez Ratima stopped opposite number Adam Lennox as the Highlanders pushed hard to avoid the wooden spoon.
But it was too little, too late as the visitors closed out the win and the minor premiership with Vaa’i’s third try of the night.
The only concern for the Chiefs will be the fitness of centre Quinn Tupaea after he reeled away from a tackle in pain clutching his face midway through the first half and left the field on a stretcher.
Chiefs 41 (Samipeni Finau 3 tries, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen; Gilbert con). HT: 19-14
