Chiefs Clinch Thriller in Kiwi Derby Classic
New Zealand rugby fans were treated to a barnstorming encounter on Saturday as the Chiefs and Highlanders delivered a derby match worthy of the name. In front of a passionate crowd of 15,476 at home, with the iconic Zoo enclosure buzzing, the two teams served up a spectacle that far surpassed the opening round of the competition, showcasing attacking intent and flashes of genuine brilliance.
The Chiefs ultimately secured a hard-fought victory, but the Highlanders pushed them all the way, making for a compelling contest from start to finish.
A Game of Momentum Swings
At halftime, the Chiefs held a slender 14-7 lead. While they managed to do just enough with their opportunities in the second half to seal the win, with close-range tries from hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and flanker Kaylum Boshier, the Highlanders refused to lie down. They mounted a spirited comeback, scoring two late unconverted tries, including a sensational effort from the highly-rated All Black prospect Caleb Tangitau, to narrow the deficit and reflect their strong performance on the scoreboard.
The match’s crucial turning points revolved around two significant Chiefs breakouts, both occurring while they were under considerable pressure. These moments, one in each half, shifted the momentum decisively.
The first came in the 32nd minute, leading to a try for All Blacks winger Leroy Carter. This score, however, was not without its controversy. The Highlanders had been on the cusp of scoring themselves, with Sean Withy unable to gather a well-placed crossfield kick from Cameron Millar in the in-goal. In the ensuing action, Quinn Tupaea took a swift goalline dropout, surged upfield, and then passed infield to Carter, who showcased his blistering pace for a coast-to-coast try.
Upon review, the legality of Tupaea’s dropout appeared questionable, with replays suggesting the midfielder might have simply dropped the ball directly onto his boot rather than kicking it. Despite this ambiguity, much like a previous try against the Blues that was later deemed illegal by competition organisers, the score was allowed to stand.
The second pivotal moment was a testament to the class and athleticism of the Chiefs’ All Blacks second-row pairing, Josh Lord and Vaa’i. Following a turnover by Folau Fakatava, Lord seized possession and embarked on a dazzling 70-metre run downfield. He expertly found Vaa’i in support. Although the Highlanders managed to haul Vaa’i down, a subsequent breakdown saw Nareki kill the ball, resulting in a yellow card for the Highlanders winger.
The Chiefs were forced to defend resolutely for the next ten minutes, but the sustained pressure eventually told. Taukei’aho capitalised on a fumbled lineout to score his second try of the evening in the 61st minute. Josh Jacomb’s successful conversion extended the Chiefs’ lead to 21-13, and a subsequent try from Kaylum Boshier effectively put the game beyond the reach of the Highlanders. This victory continued the Chiefs’ impressive recent dominance over their southern rivals, marking their eighth consecutive win against them, a streak that dates back to 2021.
Early Enterprise and Midfield Battles
The opening stages of the game were entertaining, with 20 minutes elapsing before the first scrum was contested. Both teams demonstrated a clear attacking intent from the outset. The Highlanders drew first blood after a defensive lapse from Chiefs winger Kyren Taumoefolau. A slick exchange of passes between Lucas Casey and Caleb Tangitau set up Nareki for a try in his milestone 50th game for the club.
The Chiefs responded swiftly with a maul try from Taukei’aho. However, a significant storyline in the early exchanges was the intense midfield battle between the Chiefs’ Timoci Tavatavanawai and the Highlanders’ Quinn Tupaea. Tavatavanawai repeatedly tested the defensive line with powerful carries, leading to some bone-jarring collisions between the two All Blacks centres.
The anticipated showdown between the rival No 10s, Cameron Millar and Josh Jacomb, was less prominent. Both players were guilty of some aimless kicking, failing to consistently influence the game with their tactical play. The real danger for both sides was emanating from their outside backs. Tangitau, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Taumoefolau, and Carter all made significant inroads with ball in hand, showcasing their pace and evasiveness.
While Jacomb grew into the match as it progressed in the second half, offering glimpses of his attacking capabilities, he will likely leave Dunedin with the feeling that he will be joining a Highlanders team on an upward trajectory in 2027. The performance on Saturday indicated a strong foundation for future success for the southern franchise.
