Stephen Donald scored a try among his 17 points as the Chiefs came from behind to beat the Highlanders 27-21 in a Super 14 match on Saturday.

All Blacks flyhalf Donald moved to inside centre for the match and coped well with his positional change, scoring a 30th-minute try and kicking three conversions and two penalties.

Otago played strongly in set pieces in the first half and took a 15-10 lead into halftime, but Waikato recovered the lead early in the second half with a try to former All Blacks No.8 Sione Lauaki and held it for the remainder of the match.

The win was Waikato's first at home this season, snapping a series of three losses, and gave them a 4-3 record after seven games.

It left the Chiefs with a chance of repeating last year's appearance in the tournament final.

"I think the Highlanders played extremely well in the first half, and we were in trouble for a while, but it's great to get the season on track again," Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina said.

"We started off poorly in set pieces. They had our scrum under pressure but I thought our lineout was a big step up from recent weeks."

The loss could spell the end of Otago's semifinal chances as the side remains anchored near the bottom of the table with only two wins from eight matches.

"We put in a big effort in the first half but unfortunately we fell back in the second. We have to stay positive and look forward to next week," Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan said.

Otago were strongly competitive in the first half, scoring the opening try of the match through lock Hayden Triggs in the 26th minute after flyhalf Robbie Robinson had given them an early lead with a drop goal.

Donald kicked a penalty, then scored Waikato's first try in the 30th minute with a brilliant solo break to put his team ahead 10-8.

Winger Fetu'u Vainikolo scored a try in the 35th minute which allowed Otago to take a 15-10 lead into halftime and placed the Chiefs under heavy pressure.

They hit back with Lauaki's try in the 45th minute and a further try after 58 minutes to loosehead prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo gave them a 27-18 advantage.

Otago narrowed the gap with a late penalty to fullback Israel Dagg.

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