Rugby: Hurricanes test airplane protocol to find out fate

The Hurricanes celebrate after their win over the Crusaders. Photo / Getty

Aviation authorities may be less than impressed with them, but the Hurricanes are happily back home with no intention of leaving for the next three weeks.

The Jaguares' 12 point win over the Lions, means the Hurricanes finish top of Super rugby and now host the Sharks in Wellington in the quarter-finals.

It means the Crusaders have to go to Johannesburg instead of to the capital.

Canes coach Chris Boyd says they probably broke a few air safety rules on the trip back from Christchurch.

Boyd says some of the players watched the Lions and Jaguares on their phone, until losing reception with three minutes to go.

"We probably broke aeroplane protocol because some of us were watching the game on their phones until three minutes to go and we lost reception and at that stage they (Jaguares) were up by 12 points," said Boyd.

"That puts the icing on the cake for a pretty good weekend for the club."

The results mean all four New Zealand teams could go through to the semis, with the Highlanders to play the Brumbies on Friday night in Canberra, and the Chiefs headed for Cape Town and a Sunday morning match with the Stormers.

- With Radio Sport