DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) The Dunedin-based Highlanders took their place among Super Rugby’s quarterfinalists with an emphatic 40-17 win over the Queensland Reds Friday in the final round of the regular season.
The Highlanders, the first New Zealand team to return to Super Rugby after a month-long absence for the British and Irish Lions tour, scored six tries to three and qualify as seventh seed for the playoffs next weekend.
The players showed no signs of rustiness, rushing to a 14-0 lead after only nine minutes, though they were guilty of occasional defensive lapses and should have taken more of their chances under the roofed stadium in Dunedin.