Melbourne - The Chiefs stormed into their eighth straight Super Rugby playoffs on Friday with a thumping win over the Melbourne Rebels.
As it happened: Rebels v Chiefs
Spearheaded by All Black Brodie Retallick, the Chiefs needed a bonus point victory to book their place in the last eight and delivered emphatically, running in nine tries in a 59-8 hammering.
It guarantees them at least an eighth place finish, which would mean a quarter-final away to the dominant Crusaders, but they could potentially move higher.
The Rebels have now leaked a massive 125 points in their last two outings after a 66-0 rout by the Crusaders last week to end their season on a demoralising note.
The Chiefs bounced back from a poor start to the season to find form over the past month, with three wins in four matches to set them up for Friday's do-or-die clash in Melbourne.
"We're lucky enough to slip into the playoffs which we're pretty excited about," said skipper Sam Cane. "It's a great feeling, especially as there were times during the season when we were unsure whether things would pan out."
On a slippery surface, the Rebels suffered an early blow with Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete taking an elbow and playing no further part.
After he departed the Chiefs put the first points on the board with a superb 80-metre counter-attack finished by Cane.
They got a second when Quade Cooper's attempted grubber kick was charged down by Shaun Stevenson who took a favourable bounce to run to the line.
A poor pass by Reece Hodge after the half-time hooter handed the Chiefs their third with Lachlan Boshier making the most of the error to send them into the break ahead 21-3.
The second-stanza was electric from the Chiefs, who scored four tries - Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, a second to Stevenson and Jack Debreczeni - in an opening 16 minute blitz.
Matt Philip pulled a try back, but further five-pointers to Marty McKenzie and Stevenson compounded their misery. Debreczeni kicked six conversions.
Scorers:
Rebels
Try: Matt Philip
Penalty: Reece Hodge
Chiefs
Tries: Sam Cane, Shaun Stevenson (3), Lachlan Boshier, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Debreczeni, Marty McKenzie
Conversions: Jack Debreczeni (6), McKenzie
Teams:
Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Reece Hodge, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner
Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Campbell Magnay
Chiefs
15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Mitchell Jacobson, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Tumua Manu
