Highlanders v Chiefs: All Blacks quartet impress as ‘mouth-watering’ positional battle takes centre stage
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Samisoni Taukei’aho were among the All Blacks who impressed in the Chiefs' win over the Highlanders
The Chiefs powered past the Highlanders 26-23 to continue their perfect start to the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The visitors didn’t have it all their own way, going 7-0 down after just two minutes, and narrowly avoided a late scare with the Highlanders hitting with a late double, but a Samisoni Taukei’aho brace alongside other scores from Leroy Carter and Kaylum Boshier were enough to secure the victory.
This victory for the beaten 2025 Grand Finalists follows their round one win against fellow New Zealand rivals the Blues, as they look to put themselves in the title conversation once again.
Here is our take on the All Blacks who impressed at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Quinn Tupaea
A mouth-watering clash between the two centres, who could easily feature alongside each other in the All Blacks midfield this season.
Both men just had a huge effect on the overall output of their respective sides, but in very different ways.
Tavatavanawai’s powerful carrying ball-in-hand added so much punch and power within the Highlanders attack, and just seemed to consistently find himself with the ball in space as well, where he could make something happen. Around his attacking exploits, he also acted like an extra back-rower at times, making nine tackles and winning a game-high three turnovers for his efforts.
Tupaea offered a slightly different threat, but was no less effective. His ability to act as the extra link player really got his team into their groove in attack, helping them work the ball out wide really quickly and bringing the likes of Carter into the fold, notching an assist in the process.
The All Blacks midfield has been chopped and changed a lot in the past year, but this does potentially feel like a good partnership in the making, and their performances today have certainly boosted their case for whichever coach takes the reins.
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Potentially unlucky to be overlooked for Player of the Match in our view, with the hooker producing a strong outing in his side’s win. His brute force in the tight quickly became a focal point for his side’s efforts up front, notching a tally of 15 carries for 35 metres as a result alongside 11 tackles, while also providing a solid platform at the set-piece as well.
Around that, his two tries came at really crucial times in the game and played a key role in the Chiefs snatching momentum away from the Highlanders. His first after seven minutes was a quick response to the Highlanders’ opening effort and took a lot of the sting out of their fast start to the match, while his second-half score relieved a host of pressure that the hosts were building as they looked to again capitalise on a good beginning to the half.
Hooker will likely be a highly contested spot for the All Blacks this season, but he’s done his chances no harm here.
Leroy Carter
A really tidy performance from the winger on his first outing of the season, who continues to show his X-factor ability in 15s. He was a real livewire for his side in attack, popping up in the right areas to capitalise on a break and even make some of his own.
Carter also managed to consistently make positive things happen ball-in-hand, netting 70 metres from his 10 carries alongside a tally of three defenders beaten, and capped his day off with a nice try as well.
READ MORE: Ex-ref boss: World Rugby have not fixed the scrum but instead put it on ‘death row’