Crusaders cruise into playoffs, Rebels hopes on hold

SYDNEY: Defending champions Canterbury Crusaders eased into the Super Rugby play-offs with a 54-17 thrashing of the Auckland Blues on Saturday, while the Melbourne Rebels hopes of qualifying hung in the balance.

The Rebels went down to the Otago Highlanders 43-37 in Dunedin after leaking 19 points late in the game which left their fate in the hands of the Coastal Sharks and Jaguares who clash later in the weekend in the final match of the regular season.

Australian conference champions NSW Waratahs were upset 40-31 by the ACT Brumbies in Sydney a week out from the finals.

The Crusaders already had the top spot sewn up and were able to score points when it mattered against a poorly-performed Blues side.

But despite the eight-tries-to-three hiding, Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock was not totally happy.

“Definitely that middle part. We’ll have a good review,” he said referring to the Blues’ two second half tries.

“We gave away a lot of penalties, we didn’t learn from our mistakes and if you give any side a number of opportunities they’re going to score.”

Tries to Jack Goodhue, George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu saw the Crusaders lead 19-5 at the break with the Blues sole points coming from a Melani Nanai try.

Bridge was to score two more tries in the second half to go equal top of the try scoring list with 14 for the season.

Although the Blues had parity with possession they lacked the Crusaders ability to recycle quick ball which nullified their attempts to build momentum until midway through the second spell when they bounced back with two tries.