Chiefs vs Highlanders: McKenzie is back, Highlanders won’t make playoffs

After last week’s upset loss to the Waratahs in Sydney, the Chiefs have bounced back with a dominant 46-10 win over Kiwi rivals the Highlanders. It was a tense opening 40 with only three points the difference, but the Chiefs ran away with it during the second term.

Leroy Carter, Kaylum Boshier (double), Samipeni Finau and Samisoni Taukei’aho helped pile on the points as the Chiefs ran away with a 33-point blitz. It was a brilliant performance from the Chiefs, who are back in the winner’s circle.

Here are some takeaways.

Thanks for reading, Clayton

Now, I’m not saying Clayton McMillan definitely reads RugbyPass, but the Chiefs coach must have had the same thought as this writer after last week’s loss to the Waratahs in Sydney. Chiefs fans would’ve hoped for the same thing: Damian McKenzie needed to be back at 10.

McKenzie struggled during the opening 40 at Allianz Stadium as a fullback, while youngster Josh Jacomb failed to fire as the team’s first five-eighth. It was a noticeably poor performance from the All Black, who was well outplayed by Tahs counterpart Lawson Creighton.

Eight days later, McKenzie took the field at FMG Stadium Waikato as the team’s first-choice No. 10 once again, while Xavier Roe was named at halfback. McKenzie was able to make a difference practically from the get-go – a significantly improved performance.

In the 16^th minute, McKenzie showcased both skill and confidence by sending the ball across field for outside centre Daniel Rona. But just generally speaking, the All Black looked lethal around the park and regularly had defenders in two minds.

McKenzie did kick the ball dead in the 22^nd minute from inside the Chiefs’ half, but overall, it was a first half to remember for the playmaker. McKenzie had some successful shots at goal, and continued to perform well during the second term.

In the 53^rd minute, McKenzie scanned the field and saw blindside flanker Samipeni Finau unmarked on the left edge. The fly-half didn’t hesitate by kicking the ball cross-field, where Finau strolled in untouched for another decisive score.

Brilliance.

As McMillan told reporters last week in Sydney, even “the best players in the world have off nights” but McKenzie was always tipped to bounce back, and the playmaker certainly did just that back in the No. 10 jersey.

Jordie Barrett is the All Blacks’ form No. 12

Quinn Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai have both been sensational this season. As fans have heavily speculated, both men seem to be in the frame for All Blacks selectors, with some believing either man is good enough to start in the No. 12 jumper at Test level.

But pump the brakes.

Jordie Barrett isn’t playing Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 but that doesn’t reflect poorly on the All Black at all, in fact, playing for European heavyweights Leinster is a badge of honour. Barrett has been consistently strong for Leinster, including last weekend’s 52-nil win over Glasgow.

If coach Scott Robertson decides to select Will Jordan at fullback, taking away Barrett’s other possible role at Test level, then it’s a one-horse race to wear that 12 jersey. But let’s not overlook Tupaea and Tavatavanawai completely.

This round 10 clash in Super Rugby was an opportunity for these two heavyweights to trade blows in a bid to impress the judges – that being All Blacks selectors. When the final bell sounded, it was Tupaea who won this fight on points.

Tupaea was one of the top carriers on the night for a majority of the match and also led the way as the Chiefs’ top tackler during the first 50 minutes. The Chiefs’ inside centre also registered a try assist by kicking the ball ahead for Leroy Carter to score early in the second half.

Tavatavanawai had some superb involvements like always, which included a destructive run in the 46^th minute, as the Highlanders’ co-captain bumped Chiefs openside flanker Jahrome Brown off. It’s moments like that which make Tavatavanawai so likeable and impressive.

In truth, either man would do the All Blacks jersey justice, but it really does seem to be Barrett’s spot at inside centre. Tavatavanawai offers versatility as an option on the wing, but Tupaea is possibly a stronger option at inside centre alone as a back-up to Barrett.

Don’t You (Forget about Emoni Narawa)

The year was 1984.

Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff penned Don’t You (Forget About Me) and Simple Minds released the track the following February. It wasn’t originally written with sport in mind – it’s about relationships and connection – but let’s playfully look at it in the context of Emoni Narawa.

You could say the lyrics speak to both legacy and resilience in a sporting context. For Narawa, resilience might be the key word here in the race for All Blacks honours. There’s fierce competition in the outside backs, and the Chiefs flyer often isn’t mentioned by fans.

Former All Blacks Sevens ace Leroy Carter has been sensational for the Chiefs, then there’s Kini Naholo from the Hurricanes, and Highlanders duo Caleb Tangitau and Tavatavanawai. Don’t forget about Macca Springer and Chay Fihaki from the Crusaders, either.

Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan are some of the more established All Blacks capable of lining up on the wing, and Leicester Fainga’anuku will also be eligible in July after penning a deal with New Zealand Rugby from 2026.

That’s a lot of names.

But, Don’t You (Forget about Emoni Narawa).

Narawa sent a message to All Blacks selectors with a brilliant performance on Saturday, which included a try inside the first 10 minutes. The right winger also impressed with some telling involvements around the field, on the back of a high work rate.

Highlanders probably won’t make playoffs

Before taking on the Chiefs, the Highlanders sat in seventh on the ladder, with only a few points the difference between them and the sixth-placed Western Force. If the Landers had gotten the chocolates in Hamilton, they could’ve finished the round in a playoff spot.

But instead, with this heavy loss, the Highlanders are in an uphill battle. Jamie Joseph’s team is up against it when it comes to playing finals football at all, with a tough run home following their disappointing display on Saturday evening.

If the disastrous scoreline wasn’t bad enough, the forwards gave away four penalties at scrum time alone. While the first half was closely fought, the second half has left the Highlanders with plenty to work on with five matches left in the round-robin.

With home matches against the Crusaders, Moana Pasifika and Chiefs to come, and trips away to Wellington to play the Hurricanes and Christchurch to face the Crusaders, the Highlanders’ form and ladder position suggest they may only win one or two of those matches.

If that does indeed prove to be the case, that won’t be enough to make the top six.