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Match Highlights - Chiefs stun Highlanders, Sunwolves win big
By Ben Spratt
The Chiefs beat the Highlanders and closed the gap to the Hurricanes in Super Rugby's highly competitive New Zealand Conference.
All three sides are set for the play-offs, but they trail the Crusaders at the top of the group and jostled for position on Saturday.
The Chiefs secured a standout result as they won 45-22 on the road at the Highlanders for their third win in four away matches after a blistering first half.
Six tries before the break - including two from Toni Pulu - incredibly had the visitors up 42-0 at the break as they put the result beyond doubt.
But the hosts were able to deny the Chiefs a bonus point. Teihorangi Walden scored a brace soon after the restart, before another two tries followed.
The Chiefs will now have the Hurricanes in their sights ahead of their meeting, with the second-placed side in the conference losing 24-12 to Brumbies, who ran in three second-half tries to overturn a 12-5 deficit half-time deficit.
There was a surprise thriller between two of the league's strugglers, meanwhile, as the Sunwolves defeated the Bulls 42-37 in Singapore.
The two number 10s were the stars of the show as the Sunwolves' Hayden Parker scored a try and kicked six conversions, while Handre Pollard crossed once and put away four conversions and three penalties.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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