The visitors struck back on the back of a clean break and offload by fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the 28th minute, which saw prop Sosefo Kautai charging on to a short ball and rolling over the line, locking the scoreline at 10-10.
A penalty off the kickoff deep in Highlanders territory saw the Chiefs take back the lead, which was held through to halftime, heading into the sheds 13-10 ahead.
Having conceded the least number of points in the competition through the opening nine rounds, the Chiefs’ defence proved important once again, but it was the Highlanders who were scrambling on defence in the first half, having to make a mammoth number of tackles with the home side holding the majority of the ball.
The Chiefs lost possession at key moments deep in Highlanders’ territory, leaving plenty of points on the field before the break.
After what must’ve been a stern word at halftime, the home side opened the floodgates, running in four unanswered tries in the opening 18 minutes.
A deft grubber through from Quinn Tupaea in the 43rd minute saw Carter turn on the jets, running around the outside and diving on the ball.
Replacement flanker Kaylum Boshier dotted down for the Chiefs’ third try on the back of a rolling maul before a pinpoint crossfield kick from Damian McKenzie to a wide-open Samipeni Finau put it beyond doubt.
Boshier had his second minutes later after an impressive offload on the ground by hooker Brodie McAlister.
A late rolling maul try by All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho was the cherry on top of a dominant second half, keeping the Highlanders scoreless and securing an important bonus-point win.
The Highlanders struggled to hold the ball in the second half, with plenty of handling issues and unforced errors on the wet FMG Stadium turf.
“They definitely played their game plan better than us in the second half. They starved us of playing footy, they made us carry lots, make errors, get tired... It’s tough for us when we’re not really playing any footy, so full credit to them,” captain Hugh Renton told Sky Sport.
The Highlanders, now in need of a win in hopes of making the playoffs, will host second-placed Crusaders next weekend as the Chiefs travel out east to Mount Maunganui to host the Western Force.
Chiefs 46 (Kaylum Boshier 2, Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter, Samipeni Finau, Samisoni Taukei’aho tries; Damian McKenzie 5 cons, 2 pens)
Highlanders 10 (Sosefo Kautai try; Cameron Millar con, pen)
HT: 13-10
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers sport and breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
