The Highlanders head back to Dunedin with their Super Rugby Pacific playoff hopes shattered.
By Jonty Dine of RNZ
Entering the final rounds on a prayer, the rugby gods stayed silent, as the Chiefs eased to a 42-12 win at Hamilton's FMG Stadium to end all hope.
However, the win came at a cost for the Chiefs, with fullback Damian McKenzie copping a stray boot to the head as he attempted to make a tackle, leaving the field in a bloodied state.
The visitors were off to a positive start, opening the scoring try, courtesy of a powerful surge off the back of the scrum by flanker Lucas Casey.
The mountain of their task became too tall when the Chiefs ran in three unanswered to effectively end things before the break.
A deft inside pass by lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi to Wallace Sititi sent the No.8 over and the floodgate swung open,
A late replacement for Josh Lord, Ah Kuoi went from provider to scorer to put the hosts ahead just after the 30-minute mark, as the pressure proved too much on the Highlanders line.
Appearing to butcher a golden chance, after making a scything break, McKenzie's work would not go unrewarded, as Ah Kuoi bagging a second try with a close-range strike.
Xavier Roe put things to bed 15 minutes after oranges, with the halfback spying a gap at the ruck and waltzing right through.
A quick tap sparked some late hope for the Highlanders, as halfback Adam Lennox bolted up the park and fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens finishing things off in the corner.
Replacement hooker Brodie McAlister rumbled his way over from a rolling maul to really drive the nail in.
With the siren sounding, the Highlanders hammered away, but the turnover would eventually come, Kyle Brown capping the counter to bring curtains on clinical performance.
The loss leaves the 'Landers languishing in seventh, with both the Reds and Brumbies able to kick further clear in the top six.
More than 10 years since their one and only title, the wait goes on for the southerners.
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