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Crusaders tighten grip on Super Rugby with win over Chiefs

SUVA, NEW SOUTH WALES - MAY 19:  Jack Goodhue of the Crusaders shapes to pass during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at
Image: Jack Goodhue cuts through the Chiefs as the Crusaders dominate

The Crusaders conquered another title rival as New Zealand teams continued to dominate Super Rugby ahead of next month's British and Irish Lions tour.

The seven-time champions extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with a 31-24 win over the Chiefs in Suva to stretch their lead to 11 points in the powerful New Zealand conference.

Four of the five Kiwi sides are currently in the eight-team play-off positions, underlining the country's supremacy in this season's southern hemisphere club competition.

The Crusaders only scored three tries to four against the Chiefs but fly-half Richie Mo'unga's two conversions and four penalties gave them the win, a week after they knocked over the Hurricanes.

"The whole year we've had the balance right between forwards and backs," skipper Sam Whitelock said. "Either unit can step up when they need to, that's awesome as a captain."

The Waratahs kept their Super Rugby playoffs hopes alive with a bonus-point 50-23 win over the Rebels at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

Michael Hooper of the Waratahs is tackled during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Rebels at Allianz
Image: Michael Hooper helped the Waratahs crush the Rebels in Sydney

Waratahs full-back Israel Folau was back to his dominant best, scoring a try in each half, with Nick Phipps, Dean Mumm, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Damien Fitzpatrick and Bryce Hegarty also crossing for the home side.

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Replacement back Jonah Placid scored a brace of tries in the second half for the Rebels, who battled hard but were overrun in the final quarter and slumped to their ninth loss of the season.

The Waratahs' fourth win put them within four points of the Brumbies, giving them hope of dislodging their Canberra rivals at the Australian conference summit and securing a playoff berth.

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It was a tough night for Rebels skipper Reece Hodge, who was knocked out cold in the second minute when trying to tackle hard-charging Wallabies fullback Folau.

The Brumbies became the first Australian side to win a match in South Africa this season by overcoming the Kings 19-10 in Port Elizabeth.

The Canberra outfit stretched their lead in the Australian conference to seven points ahead of the New South Wales Waratahs' derby match with the Melbourne Rebels in Sydney later Sunday.

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