Chiefs down Highlanders to secure Super Rugby top spot
Runners-up for the last two years, the Chiefs did not hit the heights they have this year in their final regular season clash but always looked like having enough to get past a young Highlanders side on Friday night.
"Although the game wasn't perfect, we got the win," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson.
"We got the four points, and we're at the top, and we can change our focus to what's in front of us in the quarter-final next week now. Credit to the Highlanders. They were gutsy as tonight."
The Chiefs thrashed Moana Pasifika 85-7 last week and looked like running rampant again when they raced to a 19-0 lead inside the first 13 minutes under the roof at Dunedin Stadium.
Flanker Samipeni Finau went over to open the scoring before All Black Vaa'i crossed twice in the space of two minutes but the Highlanders gradually worked their way back into the game.
Prop Ethan de Groot got one try back from close range on the half-hour mark and, with Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill in the sin bin, the ever-dangerous Timoci Tavatavanawai added another to cut the deficit to 19-14 at halftime.
Scrumhalf Xavier Roe raced away down the blindside to give the Chiefs the perfect start to the second half and replacement back Manasa Mataele gave them a 31-17 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Highlanders would not lie down.
Sam Gilbert ran onto a clever Tanielu Tele'a kick to score a try in his final appearance for the Highlanders seven minutes from time and they would have drawn closer had Cortez Ratima not come up with a brilliant try-saving cover tackle.
Vaa'i was not done yet, however, and he pounced on a loose ball from a goal-line drop out in the final minute to condemn the Highlanders to the wooden spoon for the first time since the second season of Super Rugby in 1997.
Lock Tupou Vaa'i scored a hat-trick of tries as the Waikato Chiefs locked up top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings and home advantage throughout the finals with a 41-21 victory over the Otago Highlanders.
Runners-up for the last two years, the Chiefs did not hit the heights they have this year in their final regular season clash but always looked like having enough to get past a young Highlanders side on Friday night.
"Although the game wasn't perfect, we got the win," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson.
"We got the four points, and we're at the top, and we can change our focus to what's in front of us in the quarter-final next week now. Credit to the Highlanders. They were gutsy as tonight."
The Chiefs thrashed Moana Pasifika 85-7 last week and looked like running rampant again when they raced to a 19-0 lead inside the first 13 minutes under the roof at Dunedin Stadium.
Flanker Samipeni Finau went over to open the scoring before All Black Vaa'i crossed twice in the space of two minutes but the Highlanders gradually worked their way back into the game.
Prop Ethan de Groot got one try back from close range on the half-hour mark and, with Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill in the sin bin, the ever-dangerous Timoci Tavatavanawai added another to cut the deficit to 19-14 at halftime.
Scrumhalf Xavier Roe raced away down the blindside to give the Chiefs the perfect start to the second half and replacement back Manasa Mataele gave them a 31-17 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Highlanders would not lie down.
Sam Gilbert ran onto a clever Tanielu Tele'a kick to score a try in his final appearance for the Highlanders seven minutes from time and they would have drawn closer had Cortez Ratima not come up with a brilliant try-saving cover tackle.
Vaa'i was not done yet, however, and he pounced on a loose ball from a goal-line drop out in the final minute to condemn the Highlanders to the wooden spoon for the first time since the second season of Super Rugby in 1997.
Lock Tupou Vaa'i scored a hat-trick of tries as the Waikato Chiefs locked up top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings and home advantage throughout the finals with a 41-21 victory over the Otago Highlanders.
Runners-up for the last two years, the Chiefs did not hit the heights they have this year in their final regular season clash but always looked like having enough to get past a young Highlanders side on Friday night.
"Although the game wasn't perfect, we got the win," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson.
"We got the four points, and we're at the top, and we can change our focus to what's in front of us in the quarter-final next week now. Credit to the Highlanders. They were gutsy as tonight."
The Chiefs thrashed Moana Pasifika 85-7 last week and looked like running rampant again when they raced to a 19-0 lead inside the first 13 minutes under the roof at Dunedin Stadium.
Flanker Samipeni Finau went over to open the scoring before All Black Vaa'i crossed twice in the space of two minutes but the Highlanders gradually worked their way back into the game.
Prop Ethan de Groot got one try back from close range on the half-hour mark and, with Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill in the sin bin, the ever-dangerous Timoci Tavatavanawai added another to cut the deficit to 19-14 at halftime.
Scrumhalf Xavier Roe raced away down the blindside to give the Chiefs the perfect start to the second half and replacement back Manasa Mataele gave them a 31-17 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Highlanders would not lie down.
Sam Gilbert ran onto a clever Tanielu Tele'a kick to score a try in his final appearance for the Highlanders seven minutes from time and they would have drawn closer had Cortez Ratima not come up with a brilliant try-saving cover tackle.
Vaa'i was not done yet, however, and he pounced on a loose ball from a goal-line drop out in the final minute to condemn the Highlanders to the wooden spoon for the first time since the second season of Super Rugby in 1997.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
19-07-2025
- Perth Now
All Blacks down France, secure three-Test series sweep
Replacement hooker Brodie McAlister has scored a 76th-minute try in a memorable Test debut for New Zealand to seal a 29-19 win over France in Hamilton and complete a 3-0 series sweep. Jordie Barrett set up the winner on Saturday with a line break in front of the posts, before passing back inside to McAlister who slid over the line in front of delighted home fans at Waikato Stadium. "To debut here, it's pretty awesome and I'm pretty proud to put the black jersey on and get to work with the brothers," said the Chiefs hooker. "It's been quite a journey (for me), a lot of setbacks, a lot of resilience." With his brother Scott and Beauden out with injuries, Barrett represented the family with distinction off the bench. He made a try-saving tackle near the hour mark to hold off the valiant French, who battled in vain to break a win drought in New Zealand dating back to Dunedin in 2009. Though France arrived in the country without a slew of their top players, they were a handful for Scott Robertson's All Blacks, barring the 43-17 second Test drubbing in Wellington. Robertson fielded a much-changed line-up in Hamilton and was forced into a late shuffle when No.8 Luke Jacobson broke down in the warm-up. He made way for Du'Plessis Kirifi who celebrated his first All Blacks start with a try near the hour mark that nosed his team in front after trailing 19-17 at halftime. Les Bleus had made a bright start with scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec first to cross over with a quick dash from the back of a maul in the eighth minute. The French stretched the lead with a penalty before New Zealand responded when Will Jordan gathered a kick and sliced through for a 22nd-minute try. France flyhalf Antoine Hastoy kept the scoreboard ticking over with a drop goal, while Le Garrec stretched the lead to 19-10 with back-to-back penalty goals. But veteran All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown, making a return from injury, pegged the French back nearly three minutes after the halftime siren with a hard-earned try on the back of 18 phases. The French were unlocked again on 58 minutes by a Damian McKenzie grubber to the corner. France fullback Leo Barre retrieved the ball over the line but winger Sevu Reece pounced on him to spill it clear, allowing Kirifi to score his first Test try. Having taken the lead, the All Blacks ramped up the pressure and the brilliant Barrett broke through to set up McAlister's winner.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why the Lions have a 16-point advantage against the Wallabies
12. Len Ikitau: One of the best midfielders in the world, so the hope is the Wallabies use him more than as a battering ram. Rating: 8 11. Harry Potter: Will have his hands full against Tommy Freeman, and may have been picked due to his ability under the high ball. Rating: 6 10. Tom Lynagh: Has a calm head, but this is an enormous step up for a 22-year-old in his first Wallabies start. A concern. Rating: 6 9. Jake Gordon: The 32-year-old is a proven performer, but has no form to speak of and Ryan Lonergan's excellent game for the Brumbies against the Lions has put the spotlight on the Wallabies' selections at No. 9. Rating: 7 8. Harry Wilson: Loved his toughness and mentality to literally drag his side across the line against Fiji, but probably needs an all-time performance in Brisbane. Rating: 7 7. Fraser McReight: Form hasn't been as good compared to last year, when he was arguably the best player in Super Rugby Pacific. The Wallabies need him to find that top gear. Rating: 8 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny: As tough as they come, but a questionable selection ahead of Tom Hooper. Rating: 6 5. Nick Frost: The tallest man on the field needs to get up and challenge the Lions at lineout time, an area where he caused so much disruption during Super Rugby Pacific. Rating: 7 4. Jeremy Williams: His work rate is exceptional, but the suspicion is that the Lions have the upper hand in power through the scrum and through contact. Rating: 6 Loading 3. Allan Alaalatoa: A mixed Test against Fiji from a scrummaging perspective, and will be attacked by the Lions. Probably the most important player on the field because if the Wallabies can't hold the scrum the Lions will feed off it. Rating: 7 2. Matt Faessler: Underdone after an injury-affected Reds campaign. Highly capable at Super Rugby level, but rival hooker Dan Sheehan is a bigger body. Rating: 6 1. James Slipper: Another contentious selection. Is Angus Bell carrying a niggle? Easily one of the toughest Wallabies of the professional era, but this is a big ask of a 36-year-old. Rating: 6 Wallabies total: 156 (average 6.8 a player) British and Irish Lions 15. Hugo Keenan: A class act, but is in the team due to injuries to others, and his form isn't where it was a few years ago. Rating: 7 14. Tommy Freeman: One of the outstanding athletes in the Lions squad. Big, tall, strong and a proven Test finisher for England. Rating: 7 13. Huw Jones: Arguably the most impressive back on tour so far. Jones has played his way into the Test side and his sheer size will pose problems. Rating: 8 12. Sione Tuipulotu: Must have been a close selection call ahead of Bundee Aki, and has arguably been helped by the form of his Scotland partner Jones. Looked dangerous with ball in hand against the Waratahs. Rating: 7 11. James Lowe: Has the ability to break your heart in numerous ways, not least with his big left boot. New Zealand Rugby was wrong to let him go. Rating: 8 10. Finn Russell: The Scot is flying and has arrived in Australia full of confidence after guiding Bath to the Premiership title. Has been putting himself about in defence, too. Rating: 9 9. Jamison Gibson-Park: Will set the tempo for the Lions attack, and possibly has been holding something back for the first Test in terms of his running game. One of the world's best when in top form. Rating: 8 8. Jack Conan: There is no doubt the Lions lost something when Ireland's Caelan Doris was ruled out with injury. Conan has been solid so far, but he's a big man and his selection points to a brutal Lions game plan. Rating: 7 7. Tom Curry: Tough openside never plays with anything but total commitment and is a menace at the breakdown. Rating: 8 6. Tadhg Beirne: On his day he's one of the world's best, but his form on this tour has been underwhelming by his standards. Needs a big Test to justify selection. Rating: 6 5. Joe McCarthy: Powerhouse second-rower has been selected to drive home where the Lions believe they have the clearest advantage – up front. Rating: 7 4. Maro Itoje: Impressive England captain is one of those players who can impose himself on a Test due to the strength of his all-round game. Rating: 8 3. Tadhg Furlong: The veteran has improved vastly since his first outing against Argentina before the tour proper got under way. Was underdone then but looks determined to make a scrum statement now. Rating: 8 Loading 2. Dan Sheehan: A world-class hooker who can do it all. Watch out for him hugging the touchline to show his athleticism. Rating: 9 1. Ellis Genge: Made a name for himself as a powerful ball carrier, but his scrummaging has improved markedly in recent years. Rating: 7 Replacements: Ronan Kelleher 6, Andrew Porter 8, Will Stuart 7, Ollie Chessum 8, Ben Earl 7, Alex Mitchell 7, Marcus Smith 7, Bundee Aki 8
The Age
18-07-2025
- The Age
Why the Lions have a 16-point advantage against the Wallabies
12. Len Ikitau: One of the best midfielders in the world, so the hope is the Wallabies use him more than as a battering ram. Rating: 8 11. Harry Potter: Will have his hands full against Tommy Freeman, and may have been picked due to his ability under the high ball. Rating: 6 10. Tom Lynagh: Has a calm head, but this is an enormous step up for a 22-year-old in his first Wallabies start. A concern. Rating: 6 9. Jake Gordon: The 32-year-old is a proven performer, but has no form to speak of and Ryan Lonergan's excellent game for the Brumbies against the Lions has put the spotlight on the Wallabies' selections at No. 9. Rating: 7 8. Harry Wilson: Loved his toughness and mentality to literally drag his side across the line against Fiji, but probably needs an all-time performance in Brisbane. Rating: 7 7. Fraser McReight: Form hasn't been as good compared to last year, when he was arguably the best player in Super Rugby Pacific. The Wallabies need him to find that top gear. Rating: 8 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny: As tough as they come, but a questionable selection ahead of Tom Hooper. Rating: 6 5. Nick Frost: The tallest man on the field needs to get up and challenge the Lions at lineout time, an area where he caused so much disruption during Super Rugby Pacific. Rating: 7 4. Jeremy Williams: His work rate is exceptional, but the suspicion is that the Lions have the upper hand in power through the scrum and through contact. Rating: 6 Loading 3. Allan Alaalatoa: A mixed Test against Fiji from a scrummaging perspective, and will be attacked by the Lions. Probably the most important player on the field because if the Wallabies can't hold the scrum the Lions will feed off it. Rating: 7 2. Matt Faessler: Underdone after an injury-affected Reds campaign. Highly capable at Super Rugby level, but rival hooker Dan Sheehan is a bigger body. Rating: 6 1. James Slipper: Another contentious selection. Is Angus Bell carrying a niggle? Easily one of the toughest Wallabies of the professional era, but this is a big ask of a 36-year-old. Rating: 6 Wallabies total: 156 (average 6.8 a player) British and Irish Lions 15. Hugo Keenan: A class act, but is in the team due to injuries to others, and his form isn't where it was a few years ago. Rating: 7 14. Tommy Freeman: One of the outstanding athletes in the Lions squad. Big, tall, strong and a proven Test finisher for England. Rating: 7 13. Huw Jones: Arguably the most impressive back on tour so far. Jones has played his way into the Test side and his sheer size will pose problems. Rating: 8 12. Sione Tuipulotu: Must have been a close selection call ahead of Bundee Aki, and has arguably been helped by the form of his Scotland partner Jones. Looked dangerous with ball in hand against the Waratahs. Rating: 7 11. James Lowe: Has the ability to break your heart in numerous ways, not least with his big left boot. New Zealand Rugby was wrong to let him go. Rating: 8 10. Finn Russell: The Scot is flying and has arrived in Australia full of confidence after guiding Bath to the Premiership title. Has been putting himself about in defence, too. Rating: 9 9. Jamison Gibson-Park: Will set the tempo for the Lions attack, and possibly has been holding something back for the first Test in terms of his running game. One of the world's best when in top form. Rating: 8 8. Jack Conan: There is no doubt the Lions lost something when Ireland's Caelan Doris was ruled out with injury. Conan has been solid so far, but he's a big man and his selection points to a brutal Lions game plan. Rating: 7 7. Tom Curry: Tough openside never plays with anything but total commitment and is a menace at the breakdown. Rating: 8 6. Tadhg Beirne: On his day he's one of the world's best, but his form on this tour has been underwhelming by his standards. Needs a big Test to justify selection. Rating: 6 5. Joe McCarthy: Powerhouse second-rower has been selected to drive home where the Lions believe they have the clearest advantage – up front. Rating: 7 4. Maro Itoje: Impressive England captain is one of those players who can impose himself on a Test due to the strength of his all-round game. Rating: 8 3. Tadhg Furlong: The veteran has improved vastly since his first outing against Argentina before the tour proper got under way. Was underdone then but looks determined to make a scrum statement now. Rating: 8 Loading 2. Dan Sheehan: A world-class hooker who can do it all. Watch out for him hugging the touchline to show his athleticism. Rating: 9 1. Ellis Genge: Made a name for himself as a powerful ball carrier, but his scrummaging has improved markedly in recent years. Rating: 7 Replacements: Ronan Kelleher 6, Andrew Porter 8, Will Stuart 7, Ollie Chessum 8, Ben Earl 7, Alex Mitchell 7, Marcus Smith 7, Bundee Aki 8
