Naholo acrobatics ensure safe passage for Highlanders
A NIGHT of high drama in New Zealand ended with a familiar outcome the Highlanders striding into title-winning form at the right time.
The top four New Zealand teams went into the final round each with a chance to head the conference and secure the one guaranteed home quarter-final spot, while the other three were destined to travel overseas.
After the Hurricanes posted their biggest ever win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, a 35-10 masterclass, the Chiefs needed two points – and the Highlanders a bonus point win – to claim top spot, but neither scenario eventuated.
The competition’s overall standings will only be confirmed after the Lions play the Jaguares in Buenos Aires early this morning, and with the South Africans fielding a second-string team, the Hurricanes could have even more cause for celebration as they could potentially host the August 6 final.
Highlanders showed grit and determination at the death to keep Chiefs at bay and deny them a bonus point at 25-15.They will have to head to Australia next week to face the Brumbies and for coach Jamie Joseph, simply avoiding another trip to South Africa is a relief.
“If the Chiefs had scored in the last two or three minutes we were on our way to Cape Town so that’s pleasing,” he said, after the team kept the Chiefs at bay to deny them a bonus point.
“The key is we don’t have to go back to South Africa. The boys can relax for 24-48 hours, otherwise we’d have been on the plane again.”
Waisake Naholo’s acrobatic finish was the highlight for the Highlanders, who also saw rising All Black star Lima Sopoaga and Dan Pryor grab fine tries, with full-back Ben Smith at his influential best.
The Chiefs must now travel to South Africa to face the Stormers.
The Brumbies defeated Western Force 24-10 in Canberra to seal top spot of the Australian conference and a meeting with the Highlanders. Leicester-bound Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani crossed for the Brumbies, who were also rewarded with a penalty try for a dominant scrum four minutes from the break.
The Force, who finished bottom of the Australian conference after a miserable season of just two wins, scored a lone first-half try through Ben Tapuai.
While the Highlanders look to be in champion form, the Hurricanes fired their own message with the crushing of the Crusaders away in Christchurch to clinch the New Zealand conference. Midfielders Jason Woodward and Willis Halaholo were the pick of the try-scorers for the Hurricanes.
The victory elevated the Hurricanes to the top of the table, but they could still be overtaken by South Africa’s Lions if they beat the Jaguares late last night.
The Blues continued to lay foundations for 2017 after seeing off the Waratahs, the second Aussie conference contender in as many weeks. They won 34-28 at Eden Park to round out their Super Rugby season, after humiliating the Brumbies last week.
In a thrilling encounter which saw three penalty tries being awarded, the Blues managed to score five tries against four by the Waratahs.
Blues centre Piers Francis played a vital role in his team’s victory by kicking nine points from the tee in addition to scoring a sensational try in the 48th minute.
Patrick Tuipulotu, Melani Nanai and George Moala were the other try scorers for the home side, while Israel Folau grabbed another for the ‘Tahs from outsidecentre.
The Sharks booked themselves into the playoffs after seeing off the Sunwolves 40-29 in Durban, running in six tries to four to clinch the African division wildcard spot.
They join the Lions and Stormers as the SA sides to stay in contention for the title as the competition reaches the knockout stages.
Prop Coenie Oosthuizen and wing Lwazi Mvovo crossed within the first six minutes to set the platform, with JP Pietersen and outstanding U20 full-back Curwin Bosch also crossing.
Despite the win, Gary Gold’s men will need vast improvements in the next round. They’ll face either the Lions in Johannesburg or a trip to New Zealand in the quarter finals.
The Melbourne Rebels held on for a 31-28 win over the Reds in their meaningless match in Brisbane thanks to a star turn from Sean McMahon.
The Wallaby back-rower played like a man possessed on his return from injury, scoring a first-half double and setting up another try as the Rebels held on despite a late Reds comeback fuelled by two gallant tries from Liam Gill.
It was not the end of season the Reds were hoping for with a number set to depart the club, including Gill, Greg Holmes, Ben Daley, Saia Fainga’a, Curtis Browning and Luke Jones.
Tyro Scotland centre Huw Jones grabbed a hat-trick as the Stormers thrashed the Kings 52-24 at Newlands.
The Stormers had already qualified for the quarters and are guaranteed a home tie against the Chiefs.
The Cheetahs took on the Bulls late last night in the Africa 1 conference dead rubber, before the Jaguares hosted the Lions in Africa 2.