| Home team | Chiefs |
| Away team | Highlanders |
| Venue | FMG Stadium Waikato |
| Competition | Super Rugby Pacific |
| Kick off time | 8:05 am (UK) |
| Watch Live in the UK | Sky Sports+ |
Chiefs vs Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific preview as the sides meet at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
The Chiefs currently sit second in the table, having also played a game less than the teams in third, fourth and fifth. They are two points ahead of the Blues in third and eight points ahead of the Crusaders in fourth. They could still catch the Hurricanes in first place, who are five points ahead.
The Highlanders are seventh in the table on 24 points. They are able to move as high as fifth with the Brumbies five points ahead of them, although they could be caught by a team as low as ninth.
Read more match previews for all your rugby action here
Chiefs vs Highlanders lineups to follow
| Chiefs | Highlanders | ||||
| Forwards | |||||
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| Backs | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
| 12 | |||||
| 13 | |||||
| 14 | |||||
| 15 | |||||
| Replacements | |||||
| 16 | |||||
| 17 | |||||
| 18 | |||||
| 19 | |||||
| 20 | |||||
| 21 | |||||
| 22 | |||||
| 23 | |||||
Recent Form:
Chiefs (Home team):
| Result | Date | Competition | Opponent | Score |
| Won | 8th May 2026 | Super Rugby | Red | 21-31 |
| Won | 26th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Fijian Drua | 42-22 |
| Won | 18th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Hurricanes | 22-17 |
| Won | 11th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Moana Pasifika | 17-62 |
| Won | 4th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Waratahs | 42-14 |
The Chiefs have won six games in a row, making them one of the most in-form teams in Super Rugby. Of their five home games this season, they have won the last four, only losing their home season opener. In the last round, the Chiefs won away to the Reds. They took the lead shortly before halftime with a Damien McKenzie penalty and three second-half tries, giving them the 31-21 victory.
Highlanders(Away team):
| Result | Date | Competition | Opponent | Score |
| Won | 9th May 2026 | Super Rugby | Waratahs | 31-26 |
| Loss | 2nd May 2026 | Super Rugby | Fijian Drua | 24-14 |
| Won | 26th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Moana Pasifika | 27-17 |
| Loss | 17th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Blues | 47-40 |
| Loss | 10th April 2026 | Super Rugby | Brumbies | 10-14 |
The Highlanders have won two of the last three matches, having only won one of the previous five before that. Their only away win this season came away to the bottom side, Moana Pasifika. In the last round, they convincingly defeated the Waratahs 31-26. They took a strong 28-7 lead into halftime. They conceded three tries in the second half, but kicked a last-minute penalty to seal the game by five points.
Chiefs vs Highlanders head-to-head record (last five matches):
| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| 21st February 2026 | Super Rugby | Chiefs | 23-26 |
| 30th May 2025 | Super Rugby | Chiefs | 24-41 |
| 19th April 2025 | Super Rugby | Chiefs | 46-10 |
| 23rd March 2024 | Super Rugby | Chiefs | 28-21 |
| 5th May 2023 | Super Rugby | Chiefs | 28-52 |
The Chiefs have won the last eight meetings between these sides, dating back to 2021, although the meeting earlier this year was only won by three points. In the two games last year, the Chiefs scored more than 40 points, winning both games by 17 or more points.



