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Chiefs remain on top of NZ Super Rugby Conference

Chiefs remain on top of NZ Super Rugby Conference
Action from the Chiefs and Reds match (Photo: planetrugby)

The Chiefs will remain on top of the New Zealand Super Rugby Conference going into the final round after beating the Reds 50-5 with a bonus point in Brisbane.

The Chiefs 45 point winning margin is the largest in their Super Rugby history.

The Crusaders host the Melbourne Rebels in Christchurch tonight but a bonus point victory would not be enough to move them above the Chiefs.

The Chiefs outscored the Reds by eight tries to one and were almost unstoppable, scoring 33 points in the first half and 17 in the second.

Meanwhile, Jerome Kaino and Matt Duffie scored two tries each for the Auckland Blues as they thrashed the ACT Brumbies 40‑15 last night.

The Blues are already out of playoff contention but gave a big blow to the post‑season hopes of the Brumbies, who are tied on 39 points with Australian rivals the Waratahs.

In another result, the Lions also thrashed the Southern Kings 57-21.

Meanwhile the Highlanders have been boosted by the return of five All Blacks for this weekend's crunch Super Rugby clash with the Jaguares in Argentina.

Elliot Dixon, Aaron and Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo are back in the starting 15 after being rested last week.

Their inclusion softens the blow of losing All Black loosie Liam Squire, who's out with concussion, and regular co‑captain Shane Christie, who's returned to New Zealand with a virus.

The Highlanders are fourth in the New Zealand conference and fifth in the overall standings, just one point behind the Hurricanes and a win this weekend will likely be vital to their playoff chances.

Looking at matches today, the Crusaders meet the Rebels at 7.35pm, the Waratahs clash with the Hurricanes at 9.40pm and Western Force meet the Stormers at 11.45pm.

The Highlanders will play the Jaguares at 9.40am tomorrow.

Source: Superxv.com

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