The Highlanders are set for their first appearance in the Super Rugby playoffs following results overnight in Australia and South Africa.
The Southerners still have to play their game against the Waratahs on Sunday afternoon in Sydney but after the Blues and Bulls all lost on Saturday, the lowest the Highlanders can drop on the final table is 6th.
This is because the Brumbies have to play the Force next weekend in Canberra and the Hurricanes have the bye next weekend. Even if the Brumbies score a remarkable and unlikely draw with the Force and the Chiefs beat the Blues in Auckland - also not a given considering the Blues' home form this season - the Highlanders are pretty much set for an extended season.
A bonus point this afternoon in Sydney will guarantee the Highlanders playoff football as that point will lift them to 43 points - the Brumbies and Force can only go up to 43 (a draw with both sides scoring 4 tries each), while the Chiefs can only score a maximum 42 points. Even without a bonus point this weekend, the Highlanders are still in control of their destiny with a trip to Christchurch next weekend giving them the chance to secure that precious bonus point.
A win to the Highlanders in Sydney will mean that game in Christchurch will decide the New Zealand conference.
It's a shame the Blues couldn't beat the Crusaders last night as that would have left the New Zealand sides only separated by 2 points and all with a chance of winning the conference. Victory too could mean a bye in the first weekend of the playoffs with the Sharks in freefall - they lost to the Cheetahs 27-21 - and set to face the in-form Stormers in Cape Town - the Stormers have already beaten the Sharks once this season in Durban.
It should still be a thrilling finish to the season nevertheless with only the Hurricanes not in control of their destiny.
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