Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Highlanders v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 30 May
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
It's top v bottom in the last regular season round for this year, but there's still plenty to play for here. The Chiefs are looking to lock in first spot on the table with a bonus point win, while the Highlanders can avoid last place with an upset in front of their home crowd.
The Chiefs are coming off the biggest win of the season after they thumped Moana Pasifika 85-7, while the Highlanders have had two heartbreaking losses in the last fortnight. Both results, against the Hurricanes and Crusaders, came down to the last play and the Highlanders were on the wrong side of both.
Team lists
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tai Cribb, 6. TK Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cam Millar, 11. Taniela Filimone, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Chiefs: 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Reuben O'Neill, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. George Dyer, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Manasa Mataele
Highlanders selections
Cam Millar was brilliant with the boot. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Cam Millar comes back in at first five with Taine Robinson injured, also Tai Cribb comes into the second row for his first start. Other than that it's a settled side that Jamie Joseph has named, with a lot of ball set to end up in the hands of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele'a.
Chiefs selections
Samipeni Finau on the charge. Photo: Photosport
A couple of changes have been made, with Xavier Roe starting at halfback and Cortez Ratima moving back to the bench. Samipeni Finau starts ahead of Simon Parker, while Josh Lord comes back in at lock and Naitoa Ah Kuoi gets a break on the bench too.
Key stats
Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
The Chiefs have lost three of their last five Super Rugby Pacific matches after scoring 50+ points in the game prior, including a 17-35 loss against the Hurricanes the last time that happened.
The Highlanders have lost their last five Super Rugby Pacific matches, though each of their last three defeats by come by margins no greater than five points. The last time they recorded a longer losing run in a single season was an eight-match span in 2013.
Timoci Tavatavanawai (64) and Damian McKenzie (49) have beaten more defenders than any other players in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Tavatavanawai's 161 carries are the most of any back in the campaign and the third most of any player overall.
What they're saying
"They only get access to the ball if we're sloppy on the carry and clean. We've drawn a line in the sand about how we want to operate in that space, the challenge is to keep getting there." Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan.
"I haven't lost confidence in the team. I feel sorry for our team because they work hellishly hard. But that's footy. There's kind of no fairy tales in sport. The lessons that we're learning and how to close games and how to execute under pressure are costing us." - Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
The last time they met
Chiefs 46 - 10 Highlanders
This was actually looking pretty good for the Highlanders as they were only down 13-10 at halftime, however the Chiefs came roaring out of the sheds to score five second half tries. Leroy Carter really underlined his name as a contender for the All Blacks, while the Chiefs forwards really put the foot down when it counted.
What's going to happen
Despite the Highlanders' bad luck in their last few games, there's a reason why they're last and the Chiefs are first. They will be doing well to avoid a repeat of the last meeting, and it'll take some big games from their key players to make that happen. Given it's the last time for a while they'll play, there's no reason not to.
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