Highlanders up to fifth on table
THE Highlanders have moved up to fifth on the competition ladder and still have a show of hosting a playoff game.
But results will have to fall their way and the side has a tough end to the season, with just one game left at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The stadium is fast becoming a fortress after the side racked up its 13th straight win under the roof.
With the victory the side moved up to fifth position on the ladder and is five points behind the Hurricanes, the side it defeated on Friday night.
The Chiefs lost 3420 to the Crusaders so have dropped back to three points behind the Highlanders, having lost one more game than the Highlanders.
The top eight teams qualify for the finals and the Hurricanes are sitting in fourth spot. The Crusaders are well ahead on 54 points, although they still have a bye to come.
The Highlanders have three games left, taking on the Chiefs in Suva, the Crusaders in Christchurch and finish by taking on the Rebels, back under the roof on July 14.
The Highlanders may not have wanted the June break right now, given what was probably their most complete performance of the season on Friday night against the Hurricanes.
The players dispersed over the weekend and though they will still train, they will have a break from any team activities for more than a week.
The side’s six All Blacks will be busy in the coming weeks and there could be further additions to the All Black side from the Highlanders, with all the injuries the national side is having.
Lock Brodie Retallick is the latest to go down, with a pectoral problem.
Highlanders lock Tom Franklin must come into consideration, especially after his outstanding performance on Friday night.
The lock was included in an All Black squad as training cover a couple of years ago but never made a matchday squad. He has signed for the Kobe club in Japan at the end of the season, but he is likely to have a clause in his contract allowing him to stay with the All Blacks, should be called up.
Centre Rob Thompson could also be a chance to come into the national squad after Sonny Bill Williams withdrew with a knee injury.
Midfielders Ryan Crotty (concussion) and Jack Goodhue (hamstring) did not play on Saturday night because of injury concerns.
The rest of the Highlanders players will come back to training in Dunedin on June 13 to start preparations for the match against the French Barbarians in Invercargill on June 22.
Head coach Aaron Mauger will be back in charge with the franchise after having the past two weeks off on bereavement leave.
His mother’s funeral was last Thursday in Christchurch. Mauger came to the game on Friday night and helped out on a limited basis.
In other games in the weekend, the Rebels beat the Blues 2010 in Auckland, the Waratahs downed the Reds 5241 in Sydney and last night, the Brumbies beat the Sunwolves 4131 in Canberra.