Highlanders and Brumbies reach Super Rugby semi-finals
Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo tipped for All Blacks squad after starring in play-off for Otago against the Chiefs
Fly-half Lima Sopoaga and winger Waisake Naholo did their chances of an All Blacks call-up no harm as they helped the Otago Highlanders to a 24-14 victory over the Waikato Chiefs in an intense wildcard play-off match in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Highlanders, playing their first Super Rugby knockout match at home since 1999, advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in 13 years with the victory.
We’ll savour this moment but another big job next week. It was a massive buzz playing in front of a home crowd
In another play-off qualifier, in Cape Town, the ACT Brumbies ran out convincing 39-19 winners over South African side Western Stormers.
In next weekend's semi-finals, the Wellington Hurricanes will host the Brumbies, while the New South Wales Waratahs meet the Highlanders.
Sopoaga and Naholo have been touted as possible surprise inclusions in Steve Hansen's extended All Blacks squad, to be named on Sunday, as the world champions build to their title defence in England later this year.
Sopoaga slotted four penalties and a conversion for the home side, while Naholo combined beautifully with scrum-half Aaron Smith to score two tries and made several barnstorming runs, one of which was unlucky not to produce a first-minute try to Patrick Osborne.