Waratahs and Stormers on rise as Hurricanes first to clinch play-off spot

Australia’s NSW Waratahs and South Africa’s Western Stormers jumped to the top of their national conferences as the Wellington Hurricanes qualified for the Super Rugby play-offs at the weekend.

The Waratahs leapfrogged the ACT Brumbies to lead the Australia conference after a bonus-point 32-22 win over Canterbury Crusaders that put the New Zealand club on the brink of missing out on the finals for the first time in 14 years.

The Stormers are the new front-runners in the South Africa conference after beating Australia’s Melbourne Rebels 31-15 in Cape Town.

The Hurricanes became the first side to confirm a play-off spot when they downed the Blues 29-5 in Auckland to lead the overall championship standings by 16 points with three rounds to play.

Twice winners Waikato Chiefs are fourth overall after denting the play-off hopes of South Africa’s Northern Bulls 34-20 in Rotorua.

The Otago Highlanders are the third New Zealand side in the play-off spots in fifth place after mastering the Western Force 23-3 in Perth.