Fijian born wing Waisake Naholo scored two impressive tries last night to help confirm his position as the leading try scorer in 2015 Super Rugby competition and also help the Highlanders book a place in the Super Rugby Semi‑finals by beating the Chiefs 24‑14.
The match was the Highlanders first home match in the Super Rugby knock out stage since 1999 and they went into the match as the favourites due to their home advantage and recent form.
Last night’s match was also a last chance to impress the All Blacks' selectors before a 40‑man squad is named later today.
Waisake Naholo is widely expected to earn his All Blacks call up.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have booked a place in the 2015 Super Rugby Semi‑finals by beating the Stormers 39-19 this morning.
The Brumbies victory is the second time that they have won a knockout match against a South African side in South Africa.
An explosive first half performance from the Brumbies set up the victory in which they outscored the Stormers by six tries to one.
The completion of the 2015 Super Rugby qualifying round matches have also confirmed the participants of the Super Rugby Semi‑finals next week.
The Highlanders 24‑14 victory over the Chiefs means that they progress to the Semi‑finals and the Brumbies 19‑39 victory over the Stormers means that they too progress.
The result brings an end to the Chiefs and the Stormers 2015 seasons.
In the first semi-final, the Hurricanes will meet the Brumbies at 7.35pm next Saturday while the Waratahs will clash with the Highlanders at 9.40pm.
The two winners of the Semi‑finals will progress to the final and the highest ranked team will host the 2015 Super Rugby final.
Source : Superxv.com
