Highlanders 23 - 26 Chiefs

● full_time 80 minutes

21 Feb 2026

Stage: Regular Season Round 2

Forsyth Barr Stadium

The Chiefs narrowly defeated the Highlanders 26-23 in a closely contested Super Rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Jona Nareki opened the scoring for the Highlanders with a try in the second minute, followed by a successful conversion from Cameron Millar. The Chiefs responded quickly with tries from Samisoni Taukei'aho and Leroy Carter, both converted by Josh Jacomb, taking the lead by halftime. In the second half, both teams traded tries, with notable performances from Taukei'aho, who scored twice, and Caleb Tangitau, who added a try for the Highlanders. Nareki's yellow card early in the second half proved costly for the Highlanders as they struggled to maintain momentum. A late try from Veveni Lasaqa brought the Highlanders close, but it was not enough to secure victory. The Chiefs continued their dominance over the Highlanders, having won their last three encounters.

Broadcasters

Weather

Temperature: 16.3°C (Feels like 11.7°C) Condition: Windy Wind: 27.6 km/h, gusting to 48.1 km/h Humidity: 69% Cloud Cover: 57%

Highlights

Events

0' kickoff
2' try Jona Nareki
3' conversion Cameron Millar
7' try Samisoni Taukei'aho
8' conversion Josh Jacomb
13' substitution Jahrome Brown
32' try Leroy Carter
33' conversion Josh Jacomb
40' substitution Lucas Casey
40' half_time
40' second_half
41' penalty Cameron Millar
44' penalty Cameron Millar
50' yellow_card Jona Nareki
54' substitution Folau Fakatava
57' substitution Jared Proffit
57' substitution George Dyer
57' substitution Ethan de Groot
58' substitution Jack Taylor
58' substitution Rohan Wingham
60' yellow_card_complete Jona Nareki
61' try Samisoni Taukei'aho
62' conversion Josh Jacomb
62' substitution Oliver Haig
62' substitution Timoci Tavatavanawai
62' substitution Samisoni Taukei'aho
62' substitution Josh Lord
65' substitution Cameron Millar
65' substitution Xavier Roe
65' substitution Etene Nanai-Seturo
67' try Kaylum Boshier
74' try Caleb Tangitau
78' yellow_card Reuben O'Neill
82' try Veveni Lasaqa
80' full_time