Winger Shaun Stevenson scored a hat‑trick of tries as the Chiefs hammered the Rebels 59‑8 to storm into the Super Rugby playoffs.
A week after the champion Crusaders humiliated the Rebels 66‑0 in Christchurch, the Chiefs piled on more misery with a nine‑try victory.
Written off after starting the season with four straight defeats, the Chiefs booked their eighth playoffs in succession with the bonus point win and now await other results this weekend to determine their quarterfinal opponents.
Stevenson grabbed an intercept try in the first half and crossed twice in the second, with Sam Cane, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert‑Brown, Jack Debreczeni, Martin McKenzie and Lachlan Boshier grabbing the other tries.
The Rebels had their sole try in the 67th minute through lock Matt Philip, as their playoffs hopes dissolved with three successive defeats.
Since joining Super Rugby in 2011, the Rebels have yet to reach the playoffs and became the third Australian team to finish their campaign early last night.
With the Crusaders and Hurricanes already qualified, New Zealand could have four teams in the playoffs if results go the way of the Highlanders.
The Highlanders thrashed the Waratahs 49-12 last night.
The Jaguares will host the Sunwolves at 10.10am today, the Hurricanes will take on the Blues at 7.35 tonight while the Brumbies will face the Reds at 9.45 tonight.
The Stormers will host the Sharks at 1.05am tomorrow while the Bulls will take on the Lions at 3.15am tomorrow.
[Source:Radio NZ]
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