Rugby-Highlanders smash woeful Waratahs to keep playoffs hopes alive

The Otago Highlanders notched six tries in a frenetic opening half to thrash a second-string New South Wales Waratahs side 49-12 in Invercargill on Friday and keep their playoffs hopes alive in Super Rugby. Needing to score three or more tries than the Waratahs to secure a vital bonus point, the Highlanders stormed to a 42-7 lead at half-time and eased off after the break to conserve themselves for a potential quarter-final next week.

The Highlanders now face a nervous wait to see whether they have done enough to reach the postseason, needing other results to go their way. They will hope the Waikato Chiefs can claim a regulation win without a bonus point against the Melbourne Rebels later on Friday and for the Lions to emerge with no points from their match against the Bulls on Saturday.