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Cape Town - The Hurricanes confirmed their top spot in the Super Rugby standings with a dominant victory over the Highlanders in Napier on Friday.
As it happened: Hurricanes v Highlanders
The Hurricanes won 56-20 after leading 30-13 at half-time.
The Hurricanes scored eight tries through flank Blade Thomson, fullback James Marshall, scrumhalf TJ Perenara (2), hooker Dane Coles, wing Julian Savea and a brace by replacement centre Ma'a Nonu. Marshall was also on target with five conversions and two penalties, for a personal haul of 21 points.
The Highlanders replied with three tries by wing Ryan Tongia, flyhalf Lima Sopoaga and fullback Marty Banks. Sopoaga added a conversion and a drop goal.
The Hurricanes picked up a full-house of five points to secure top spot in both the New Zealand Conference and Overall standings.
The Highlanders left empty-handed and stayed second in the New Zealand Conference and fourth in the Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 18 action, the Hurricanes travel to New Plymouth to play the Chiefs (Saturday, June 13 at 09:35), while the Highlanders will take on the Blues in Auckland (Friday, June 12 at 09:35).
Teams:
Hurricanes15 James Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Blade Thomson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes
Substitutes(one to be omitted): 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Brad Shields, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Cory Jane, 24 Willis Halaholo
Highlanders
15 Marty Banks, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Ryan Tongia, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Ash Dixon (captain), 1 Brendon Edmonds
Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Scott Eade, 22 Shaun Treeby, 23 Kurt Baker
