Chiefs secure crucial top spot as All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i helps himself to three tries against Highlanders

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

The Chiefs remain the team to beat in Super Rugby Pacific after they overcame a first-half injury to Quinn Tupaea to beat the Highlanders 41-24 and secure the prized top spot on the ladder.

Coach Clayton McMillan's power-packed side scored three times after halftime for a bonus-point game they never looked like losing, and they will now be warm favourites to secure their first Super Rugby title since 2013.

All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i scored three tries in a standout display, the last coming in the final act of the game.

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In-form midfielder Quinn Tupaea went down clutching his face after making a tackle on Highlanders No.8 Sean Withy in the 27th minute.

Tupaea received treatment on the field for a lengthy period before he was taken off on the medicab, but reassuringly he gave a thumbs-up as he went down the tunnel and he was spotted on his feet in the sheds at halftime with heavy bruising under his left eye.

Tupaea was replaced by Josh Jacomb, who slotted into the unfamiliar inside centre position.

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The Chiefs raced to a 19-point lead inside 15 minutes in a ruthless display of error-free rugby.

Vaa'i grabbed a double as the Highlanders struggled to cope with the visitors' onslaught.

Vaai's second came after Highlanders No.10 Cameron Millar was smashed in a heavy Tupaea tackle and coughed up the ball, continuing his challenging campaign.

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Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie was outstanding in the opening quarter, mixing up his options and setting up the first try to Samipeni Finau with a perfect chip over the defensive line to Tupaea.

But the Chiefs did themselves no favours after Tupaea's injury.

First, they conceded a try to a rampaging Ethan de Groot, and then prop Reuben O'Neill was shown a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a cleanout on Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor that was adjudged to be dangerous, although there didn't appear to be much in the incident.

With Timoci Tavatavanawai in typically bruising form the Highlanders started to ask some questions of their own and the No.12 barrelled his way over just before halftime to reduce the deficit to 19-14.

Tavatavanawai fought his way past Jacomb, McKenzie and Etene Nanai-Seturo for the try, confirming his reputation as one of the hardest men to tackle in the competition.

The Chiefs needed to respond after the break and they did exactly that, with halfback Xavier Roe speeding down the blindside from a well-worked lineout move.

Vaa'i caught the eye with his athleticism and distribution throughout the game, although McMillan won't be pleased with the scrum after it conceded two penalties against the home side.

The Chiefs bench, however, was powerful as Samisoni Taukei'aho, Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Oliie Norris made their presence felt, highlighting the gulf in squad depth between the two sides.

The Chiefs won some big moments at the breakdown in the second half, and while they weren't at their free-flowing best in the second spell they did enough to keep the Highlanders at arm's length.

Replacement Cortez Ratima, on for Daniel Rona, pulled off a brilliant trysaving tackle with five minutes to go, holding Adam Lennox up over the tryline.

The Chiefs have now earned the right to play the remainder of the competition at their home-ground fortress, and it would take a brave punter to bet against them.

At Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin: Chiefs 41 (Samipeni Finau try 5min, Tupou Vaa'i (3) tries 10min, 13min, 79min, Xavier Roe try 41min, Manasa Mataele try 59min; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot try 29min, Timoci Tavatavanawai try 39min, Sam Gilbert try 72min; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen; Gilbert con). HT: 19-14