Blues seal play-off berth
The Auckland Blues beat the Otago Highlanders 33-16 on Friday to book a play-off spot in rugby's Super 15.
Last Updated: 17/06/11 11:13am
The Blues beat the Highlanders 33-16 on Friday to book a play-off spot in rugby's Super 15.
The Blues ended a four-match losing streak with the victory in their last regular-season game, lifting themselves from fourth to second place in the championship table at the start of the final round.
The hosts secured the win thanks to scoring three tries and 24 points in a 23-minute spell either side of half-time.
But the Blues had to come from behind to claim the victory after Matt Saunders had scored an early try for the visitors.
The hosts then ran in three unanswered tries via Stephen Brett, Luke McAlister and Jared Payne, before Saunders hit back with a late consolation.
Lachie Munro notched three conversions and the same number of penalties for the hosts, while Tony Brown kicked a penalty and drop goal for the Highlanders.
Chance
Remaining matches this weekend involving leaders Reds, third-placed Stormers and fourth-placed Crusaders will determine whether the Blues cling to their faint hope of a home semi-final.
"It was a tough one but at the end of the day we came away with a good win," Blues skipper Keven Mealamu said.
"We did the job tonight and we can sit back and see what comes to us. We've given ourselves a chance to progress in this competition and we'll take it with both hands."
Highlanders skipper Jamie Mackintosh admitted he was disappointed to end the season with four successive defeats but he was taking the positives from the campaign as a whole.
"We made too many mistakes in our own half," he said. "When you get stuck down in this kind of weather, it's tough to get out.
"This season we've turned a few heads and put a bit of pride back in the jersey ... it's definitely been a turning point for our franchise and I'm proud to be captain of that."
