The big picture

Highlanders come in 9th on the ladder with 24 points; Chiefs are 2nd on 51. Chiefs are the side higher up the table.

Highlanders are 5–9 in Super Rugby Pacific 2026, averaging 23.4 points for and 30.3 against.

Chiefs are 13–3 in Super Rugby Pacific 2026, averaging 36.4 points for and 23.6 against.

Form

Highlanders have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Hurricanes 28–45.

Chiefs have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Hurricanes 5–60.

Head to head

These sides have met 14 times on our records since 2016: Highlanders 3, Chiefs 10, 1 drawn.

Last time out (2026), Chiefs won 42–12 at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Chiefs have won the last eight against Highlanders.

Biggest margin between these two: Chiefs by 36 points in 2025 (46–10).

Players to watch

For Highlanders, watch Lucas Casey (0.3 tries a game in 2026).

For Chiefs, watch Kyren Taumoefolau (0.8 tries a game in 2026) and Wallace Sititi (0.7 tries a game in 2026).

At Forsyth Barr Stadium

Highlanders have won 8 of their last 18 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Chiefs go in as clear favourites.