The Chiefs have moved to top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after a 46-10 win over the Highlanders.

Still smarting from last week's upset loss to NSW Waratahs, the Chiefs ground their way to a 13-10 half time lead.

From this, they broke the Highlanders apart with a sparkling 17-minute burst that yielded four tries.

Flanker Kaylum Boshier bagged his maiden five-pointer and then another while Leroy Carter and Samipeni Finau also crossed the whitewash to rocket the Chiefs ahead 41-10 before the hour mark.

Samisoni Taukei'aho's 75th minute try stretched the margin out to 36 points, belying what was a hard-fought opening half.

Earlier, it was Emoni Narawa with the first five pointer before former Brumby Sefo Kautai pegged the margin back for the visiting Highlanders.

Damian McKenzie and Cameron Millar traded penalties for a 10-all score line after 30 minutes.

 

 

McKenzie's second penalty goal pressed the hosts' half time advantage before orchestrating 33 unanswered points in a lop-sided second stanza that signalled his return to form.

"We had our opportunities in the first half … they're a good 'Landers side defensively and hard to break down," McKenzie told Sky Sports post-game.

"I couldn't get any worse (after last week) .. we were disappointed last week and beaten by a better side. 

“We were a lot better tonight."

 

Chiefs 46 (Tries: Boshier 2, Carter, Narawa, Finau, Taukei’aho; Cons: McKenzie 5; Pens: McKenzie 2) def Highlanders 10 (Tries: Kautai; Cons: Millar; Pens: Millar) 

 

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Henry Bell, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Te Kamaka Howden, 20 Will Stodart, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Jonah Lowe.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Way
TMO: James Leckie