Mataele scores as Chiefs beat Highlanders 41-24 to lock top spot

Fiji-born Chiefs wing Manasa Mataele scored a try to assist the Waikato side claim the minor premiership and all-important home-field advantage for the finals with a 41-24 win over the Highlanders.

Lock Tupou Vaa’i scored a hat-trick as they locked up the top spot in a tough win away from home in Dunedin.

The ACT Brumbies and Crusaders were watching on from Canberra, hoping for a misstep to jump into first, but the Chiefs were intent on locking up the top spot early.

A perfect chip in behind by Damian McKenzie sparked the visitors, with lovely hands putting Samipeni Finau over for the opener after just five minutes.

Vaa’i then made a big impact on the game, scoring a quick-fire double to give them a 19-0 lead after 14 minutes.

The Highlanders were rattled, and it took co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai to shift the contest.

De Groot powered over from short for their first points, and then a yellow card to prop Reuben O’Neill, left the visitors scrambling to finish the half.

This is where inspirational centre Tavatavanawai lit up Forsyth Barr Stadium, spinning through the defence and slamming it down to celebrate his new deal in style.

The break came at the perfect time for the Chiefs, who replicated their first-half efforts after Xavier Roe sprinted down the short side to score after a strong rolling maul.

It allows them to control the second half and secure the win via McKenzie's boot and a try to replace Manasa Mataele.

Sam Gilbert gave The Zoo something to celebrate with a late try in his final game for the club.

A desperate covering tackle from Cortez Ratima stopped opposite number Adam Lennox as the Highlanders pushed hard to avoid the wooden spoon.

But it was too little, too late as the visitors closed out the win and the minor premiership with Vaa’i’s third try of the night.

The only concern for the Chiefs will be the fitness of centre Quinn Tupaea after he reeled away from a tackle in pain.

Tupaea was left clutching his face midway through the first half and left the field on a stretcher after several minutes of being attended to.

In another result last night, the Crusaders edged the Brumbies 33-31.

In other matches, the Blues will take on the Waratahs at 4.35pm today, the Hurricanes meet Moana Pasifika at 7.05 tonight, and the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will face the Reds at 9.35 tonight.

Source: Super Rugby