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It proved to be a comfortable victory indeed for the Chiefs in the end, defeating the Highlanders by 23 points on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Highlanders 22
Chiefs 45
Super Rugby heads to Fiji when the Highlanders and Chiefs look to push their claim for a home quarter-final spot. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
With just three rounds left to play after the June international break, the Highlanders and Chiefs more or less have their spots in the top eight locked in, but they are just outside the top four and off the pace for the New Zealand conference’s wildcard spot.
It means they both face the daunting prospect of away finals, but a win in Fiji would move them within striking distance.
As it stands, the Highlanders have nine wins under their belt, with 40 competition points on the board. It leaves them well short of the 54-point mark the Crusaders have set, with the potential of catching the Hurricanes on 45 still existing to take fourth spot.
Behind the Highlanders are the Chiefs, who in sixth place have 37 points to their name and will also be confident of mowing down the ‘Canes if they can get a win here.
The Dunedin-based ‘Landers were on a roll heading into the international window break, with wins over the Reds and Hurricanes, but they scrapped through in the first and weren’t overly convincing in the second. If they are to pick up multiple wins on the trot, it all comes down to the way they are able to attack their opponents line.
On the other side of the dice, the Chiefs have the third-best defensive record in the competition, conceding just 23 points per game. While they survived quite well through a difficult road trip int he lead-up to the break, they lost to the Crusaders at home last time, costing them valuable competition points which could end up being the difference between fourth spot and sixth spot on the table.
Prediction
The Highlanders were on a roll before the break, but with a bit of attacking rust likely as the sides return to action, there is every chance the Chiefs defence will get them over the line.
Chiefs by 7.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 5:35pm (AEST) in Fiji and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.