8 May 2011

Highlanders playoff hopes suffer double blow

8:04 am on 8 May 2011

Despite missing injured All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter the Crusaders have toppled the South African Super rugby conference leaders, the Stormers, 20-14 in Capetown this morning.

Prop Wyatt Crockett scored both the Crusaders tries, after they trailed 10-11 at halftime.

Also in South Africa this morning the Sharks beat the ACT Brumbies 34-16.

Meanwhile the Highlanders play off hopes have suffered a double blow with a 20 to 7 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton, last night.

Converted second half tries from Brendan Leonard and Liam Messum and two Stephen Donald penalties in the first half secured the win for the home side, which kept the Highlanders scoreless in the second half.

The Highlanders campaign suffered a futher setback with loose forward Adam Thompson forced from the field at half time with an apparent rib injury.

The Chiefs still have a faint chance of making the playoffs having registered just their fourth win in eleven games.

In Sydney the New South Wales Waratahs beat the Perth based Western Force 20-15.