HIGHLIGHTS-Super Rugby week 17
Wingers Braydon Ennor and Seevu Reece both scored hat-tricks as the defending Super Rugby champions assured themselves of the top seeding in the playoffs by handing the Rebels their heaviest ever Super Rugby defeat. Fullback David Havili scored two tries while Bryn Hall and Ryan Crotty, in his 150th game, also crossed for the Crusaders, who moved to 58 points and cannot be caught on the table even though they have a bye for next week's final round of matches.
The Wellington Hurricanes, who have the second-best points tally but are fourth in the standings due to the conference system, can only finish with 54 points. They play the Lions later on Saturday. The Crusaders, who will host the eighth-placed team in the quarter-finals in two weeks and enjoy home advantage throughout the playoffs, will remain heavy title favourites on the back of this performance.
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REDS 29 BLUES 28 Number eight Scott Higginbotham scored two tries, one with less than four minutes remaining, as the Reds ended the Blues playoff hopes with victory in Brisbane.
Bryce Hegarty, who scored an early second half try, kicked the conversion from near the sideline to give the Reds their 29-28 lead with three minutes remaining. Taniela Tupou also added a try for the Brisbane-based side. Augustine Pulu scored two tries and had a third ruled out by the television official, while Blake Gibson and Taniela Tele'a also crossed for the Blues, who fell out of contention with the loss.
The Blues end their season against the Wellington Hurricanes next Saturday, while the Reds go to Canberra to face the ACT Brumbies. HIGHLANDERS 24 BULLS 24
Jaco Visagie scored a late try to snatch a draw for the Bulls against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday that effectively ended the home side's playoff hopes. Visagie's 75th minute try, after the Bulls finally cracked the Highlanders' defensive line in a match that was played at a high tempo, moved his side to 36 points on the table, while the Highlanders went to 31.
Divan Rossouw and lock Jason Jenkins also scored tries for the Bulls, who are fifth, while the Highlanders are 10th and without doubt out of contention for the top-eight positions for the playoffs. Five other teams are between 30 and 35 points and still to play this weekend. Waisake Naholo and Josh McKay both scored two tries each for the Highlanders, who were guilty of throwing away possession throughout the game.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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