The Highlanders' Super Rugby title defence is breathing new life, with two tries to the returning Waisake Naholo guiding them to a 26-13 win over the high-flying Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.

The powerful All Blacks winger gave everyone a reminder of his class in what was his first game back after the broken leg suffered in round one, crossing for a brace in the right-hand corner, as the southerners punished an uncharacteristically tardy Chiefs side for an important victory.
One of tonight's try scorers, Aaron Cruden. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The 23,396 at FMG Stadium Waikato left ruing their side's worst performance of the season, with the Chiefs' second loss leaving them equal on points at the top of the New Zealand conference with the Crusaders, but having played one extra game. The Highlanders have moved to within five points of those sides.

They have another big game next weekend when they host the Crusaders, while the Chiefs have the bye to lick their wounds.

Having been off their usual pace the past couple of weeks, the Chiefs had still been getting the job done, but not this time, with the Highlanders too good to let their chance slip.

The game had been billed as a real blockbuster, but it turned into one-way traffic.

While the Chiefs' scrum took a step up to contend well with the Highlanders' solid pack, it was, oddly for them, handling errors which thwarted them in a game full of frustration. The hosts were their own worst enemies in allowing the southerners the 13-3 halftime buffer which the visitors never looked like relinquishing.

The Highlanders were forced into plenty of defensive work early on, but they are a team which doesn't mind rolling up their sleeves and doing the tough stuff. They got plenty of practice at it last week against the Brumbies.

Unlike the Chiefs, they were patient and just took their opportunities when they came, no clearer than when prop Daniel Lienert-Brown sliced through to put the visitors in the driver's seat after Lima Sopoaga had knocked over a couple off the boot.

The hosts were hampered further right on halftime when Charlie Ngatai was sin binned for taking Elliot Dixon in the air. Referee Angus Gardner called for the assistance of TMO Shane McDermott, before waving a yellow card in what appeared a lottery between yellow and red. The fact Dixon didn't land on his head helped Ngatai's cause, but it's baffling why the outcome should affect the decision.

With the Chiefs down a man the Highlanders pounced just four minutes into the second spell when Naholo reached out to make it 18-3.

The hosts suffered a further yellow card late in the piece which really put a dent in any faint hope, with Maama Vaipulu given his marching orders for a ruck infringement.

While Ngatai's return to the field was dramatic, as the Chiefs found their normal flair and had Aaron Cruden going over in the corner to narrow the deficit, there was to be no comeback, and even Sam Vaka's try on debut was nothing to celebrate, as the Highlanders capitalised on their chances down town and fed Naholo.

The big man was back, and ready to wear black.​

AT A GLANCE

Highlanders 26 (Waisake Naholo 2, Daniel Lienert-Brown tries; Marty Banks con, Lima Sopoaga 3 pen) Chiefs 13 (Aaron Cruden, Sam Vaka tries; Aaron Cruden pen). HT: 13-3

- Stuff