14 Jul 2014

Tough playoffs for NZ teams

11:08 am on 14 July 2014

The Super Rugby playoff places have been decided with three teams from New Zealand making the top six, though the Chiefs and the Highlanders face difficult away games.

The Chiefs' win over the Blues on Friday moved the defending champions into fifth place and a playoff against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

The Highlanders' loss to the Crusaders on Saturday dropped the southern men into sixth and a qualifier against top South African side the Sharks in Durban.

The winners of those matches progress to the semi-finals against the second placed Crusaders in Christchurch or the top qualifiers the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

The Highlanders beat the Sharks in Durban earlier this year, but the Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph doesn't think it'll be so easy the second time around.