Page 9 - Billy Harmon News Today

Coach Clarke Dermody says it 'won't be easy' for the Crusaders to chase the points they now need to deny the Highlanders a place in the final.

The Highlanders thumped the Brumbies 33-12 to put one foot in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final after the Hurricanes kept their slim hopes alive.

In Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, the Highlanders are combining a strong kicking game, a competition-high tackle completion rate and quick ruck ball.

The All Blacks' 'rest protocols' have robbed the Highlanders of their No 9 at the worst possible time, while in-form flanker is out for six weeks.

A health advocacy group wants New Zealand sports to wean themselves off sponsorship deals with alcohol brands.

Poor discipline has hurt Melbourne, with the Highlanders scoring three tries for a 42-27 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman win while the Rebels were a man down.

The Highlanders made the Rebels pay for Jordan Uelese's ill discpline on Sunday, scoring three tries against the Australians while the hooker was in the sin bin to seal a 42-27 win in Sydney in trans-Tasman Super Rugby.

The Highlanders are still in the hunt for the Super Rugby Trans Tasman final but they will now have to rely on other results going their way.

The Otago Highlanders overcame a Covid-19 disruption to beat the Melbourne Rebels 42-27 in Sydney on Sunday but ended inches short of a crucial bonus point in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. Without the maximum points, the unbeaten Highlanders slipped to fourth place, a point behind the Canterbury Crusade ..

The Blues and Hurricanes are on a collision path for the Trans-Tasman final with two weeks remaining.