Rugby: Playoff spots decided

Herald online

12 Jul, 2014 07:12 PM2 mins to read

A good night's work led to a good night's kip for the Crusaders. They got their four-try victory and with it, the near certainty that the Sharks, who played overnight, couldn't knock them out of second place. It was a nice place for the Crusaders and nothing less than they deserved. Both teams are in the playoffs but only one looked like they should be. Only one looked like they have any hope of being a threat in the knock-out rounds.

The Crusaders, the Chiefs and the Highlanders have each earned spots in this year's Super Rugby playoffs.

New Zealand conference winners the Crusaders finished in second place on the overall table behind the Waratahs, who claimed the minor premiership by a wide margin.

Both teams get a week off to regroup and prepare for home semifinals in a fortnight.

The Sharks' win over the Stormers this morning saw them clinch the South African conference and finish third overall, but they couldn't do enough to take the home semi spot off the Crusaders.

The Sharks will be the only South African team involved in this year's playoff mix.

The Chiefs will head to Canberra to take on the Brumbies in the first qualifying final next Saturday, while the Highlanders have the daunting task of travelling to Durban to take on the Sharks the following day.

If both New Zealand teams can win their qualifying finals, the Highlanders would then take on the Waratahs in Sydney, and the Chiefs would face the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Super Rugby Qualifier A
Saturday 19 July 2014
Brumbies v Chiefs
GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia
Kick-off: 9.40pm

Super Rugby Qualifier B
Saturday 19 July 2014
Sharks v Highlanders
Growthpoint KINGS PARK, Durban, South Africa
Kick-off: 1.05am