Super Rugby 2019: Highlanders grab last playoffs spot after Bulls beat Lions

The Highlanders have secured the eighth and final spot in the Super Rugby playoffs after the Bulls beat the Lions 48-27 at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (NZ time).

Aaron Mauger's side had to play the waiting game after their resounding 49-12 win over the Waratahs on Friday night as their spot in the playoffs hung in the balance.

Luckily for the Highlanders everything went their way, meaning they will travel north to face the Crusaders in the quarter-finals on Friday night.

They had to wait anxiously until the final game of the season, as the Lions just needed a bonus point from their match against the Bulls to leapfrog the Highlanders in the standings, but that never eventuated.

The Bulls outscored the Lions by seven tries to two, ending a run of three successive trips to the final where they finished runners-up on each occasion.

In the other knockout games next weekend, the Bulls will travel to New Zealand to face the Hurricanes, while the Chiefs will travel to Argentina to face the Jaguares and the Brumbies will host the Sharks in Canberra.

Super Rugby 2019: Highlanders grab last playoffs spot after Bulls beat Lions

Super Rugby quarter-final schedule (All New Zealand time)

 

Friday, June 21: Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch Stadium Christchurch 7:35pm

Saturday, June 22: Jaguares v Chiefs, Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires 10:05am

Sat, June 22: Hurricanes v Bulls, Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7:35pm

Sat, June 22: Brumbies v Sharks, GIO Stadium, Canberra 10:05pm

Super Rugby standings

 

                                            P             W            D             L              +/-          Pts

Crusaders                            16           11           3              2              240         58

Jaguares                              16           11           0              5              109         51

Brumbies                             16           10            0              6              64          48

Hurricanes                           16           12            1              3              87           53

Bulls                                     16           8              2             6              41           41

Sharks                                 16            7             1             8                8           37

Chiefs                                  16            7             2              7             -14           36

Highlanders                          16           6              3              7              49           36

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