Highlanders 23 - 26 Chiefs

Full time

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

Where to watch in: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom

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

Kickoff
2'

Try

Jona Nareki · Highlanders

5 - 0
3'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

7 - 0
7'

Try

Samisoni Taukei'aho · Chiefs

7 - 5
8'

Conversion

Josh Jacomb · Chiefs

7 - 7
13'

Substitution

Simon Parker on for Jahrome Brown · Chiefs
32'

Try

Leroy Carter · Chiefs

7 - 12
33'

Conversion

Josh Jacomb · Chiefs

7 - 14
40'

Substitution

Veveni Lasaqa on for Lucas Casey · Highlanders
Halftime 7 - 14
Second Half
41'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

10 - 14
44'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

13 - 14
50'

Yellow Card

Jona Nareki · Highlanders
54'

Substitution

Adam Lennox on for Folau Fakatava · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

Benet Kumeroa on for Jared Proffit · Chiefs
57'

Substitution

Reuben O'Neill on for George Dyer · Chiefs
57'

Substitution

Emoni Narawa on for Ethan de Groot · Chiefs
58'

Substitution

Henry Bell on for Jack Taylor · Highlanders
58'

Substitution

Josh Bartlett on for Rohan Wingham · Highlanders
60'

Yellow Card Complete

Jona Nareki · Highlanders
61'

Try

Samisoni Taukei'aho · Chiefs

13 - 19
62'

Conversion

Josh Jacomb · Chiefs

13 - 21
62'

Substitution

Will Stodart on for Oliver Haig · Highlanders
62'

Substitution

Tanielu Tele'a on for Timoci Tavatavanawai · Highlanders
62'

Substitution

Tyrone Thompson on for Samisoni Taukei'aho · Chiefs
62'

Substitution

Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi on for Josh Lord · Chiefs
65'

Substitution

Reesjan Pasitoa on for Cameron Millar · Highlanders
65'

Substitution

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi on for Xavier Roe · Chiefs
65'

Substitution

Tepaea Cook-Savage on for Etene Nanai-Seturo · Chiefs
67'

Try

Kaylum Boshier · Chiefs

13 - 26
74'

Try

Caleb Tangitau · Highlanders

18 - 26
78'

Yellow Card

Reuben O'Neill · Chiefs
82'

Try

Veveni Lasaqa · Highlanders

23 - 26
Fulltime 23 - 26

Player ratings

Highlanders

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 6.5
14 Caleb Tangitau 9.1
13 Jonah Lowe 6.7
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai 7.2
11 Jona Nareki 5.1
10 Cameron Millar 6.6
9 Folau Fakatava 6.3
1 Ethan de Groot 6.3
2 Jack Taylor 7.1
3 Rohan Wingham 6.1
4 Oliver Haig 6.3
5 Mitch Dunshea 6.1
6 TK Howden 5.9
7 Sean Withy 6.2
8 Lucas Casey 6.2
16 Henry Bell 6.3
17 Josh Bartlett 6.6
18 Sefo Kautai –
19 Will Stodart 6.2
20 Veveni Lasaqa 6.7
21 Adam Lennox 7.2
22 Reesjan Pasitoa 5.6
23 Tanielu Tele'a 6.0

Chiefs

15 Etene Nanai-Seturo 7.5
14 Kyren Taumoefolau 6.8
13 Daniel Rona 7.1
12 Quinn Tupaea 7.6
11 Leroy Carter 6.9
10 Josh Jacomb 6.2
9 Xavier Roe 6.7
1 Jared Proffit 6.8
2 Samisoni Taukei'aho 9.4
3 George Dyer 7.1
4 Josh Lord 7.3
5 Tupou Vaa'i 7.4
6 Kaylum Boshier 8.0
7 Jahrome Brown 6.2
8 Luke Jacobson 7.6
16 Tyrone Thompson 6.5
17 Benet Kumeroa 6.8
18 Reuben O'Neill 5.2
19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 6.7
20 Simon Parker 6.5
21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 6.3
22 Tepaea Cook-Savage 6.4
23 Emoni Narawa 6.1