Quinn Tupaea and Chiefs Emoni Nawara combine for the Chiefs. Photo: Mark Taylor/ActionPress
The Chiefs have reclaimed the top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder - just. Their big 46-10 win over the Highlanders in Hamilton has seen them earn a bonus point and enough of a points difference to move ahead of the Crusaders, as this year's competition continues on its incredibly tight way towards the play-offs.
However, the ultimately comfortable result wasn't looking that way after a competitive first half that saw the home side only ahead 13-10 at the break. Despite conceding a try to Emoni Narawa, the Highlanders' defence held firm and they were well rewarded off a goal line restart. Timoci Tavatavanawai's short ball found a flying Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, whose run set up a try to a rampaging Sosefo Kautai.
Any thoughts the Highlanders might've had of an upset evaporated quickly in the second half, though. Leory Carter's pace got him to a Quinn Tupaea grubber kick just before the dead ball line, then two tries in three minutes to Kaylum Boshier and Samipeni Finau took the result completely out of the Highlanders' hands.
Boshier got his second not long after, by then the Highlanders were wondering what just hit them and the game devolved into a messy affair as both sides simply wanted it to be over with without any injuries. Samisoni Taukei'aho found time to tack on an extra try to make sure of the important points difference, though.
It was a big night for Narawa, who sent a serious message to the All Black selectors about his value on both sides of the ball. The winger made several key turnovers on defence, as well as getting a lot of work with ball in hand.
The Chiefs are back home in Hamilton on Anzac Day for a game against the Force, while the Highlanders need to get themselves sorted fast as they host the in form Crusaders in Dunedin.
Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. TK Howden, 20. Will Stodart, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Jonah Lowe
