Highlanders

RNZ reports tries either side of halftime from winger Waisake Naholo and number eight Liam Squire and five points from the boot of flyhalf Lima Sopoaga were enough to send the Highlanders into the last four and end Australian interest in the competition.

The Brumbies had three penalties from flyhalf Christian Lealiifano but struggled for penetration in attack and were unable to convert the few chances they created into tries, even when camped on the Highlanders line for the last seven minutes.

RNZI reports the Highlanders ran in seven tries to two, including a hat-trick to utility back Matt Faddes, to knock the Blues out of finals contention with two rounds remaining.

The Lions lead the standings, after thrashing fellow South Africans the Sharks 37-10 earlier on Sunday morning in Johannesburg.

But just four points separate the Lions, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders at the top of the table.

On Saturday night the Hurricanes beat the Blues 37-27 in Wellington.

Highlanders wing Patrick Osborne Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Highlanders dominated territory early on but were unable to convert that advantage into points.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring against the run of play with an almost length of the field try.

RNZI reports Whitelock, the younger brother of twice World Cup-winning lock Sam, made his sole appearance for the All Blacks off the bench against Japan in 2013.

The 25-year-old moved south from Canterbury this season and has been at the forefront of the Highlanders resurgence after two mid-season losses, with the side having beaten the Chiefs and Crusaders in their last two matches.

That generosity, however, will be limited to their being happy to give away possession via a barrage of high kicks to the visiting outside backs Johnny McNichol, Israel Dagg and Jone Macilai.

RNZI reports the defending champions outscored the visitors from Canberra two tries to one in the 23-10 victory.

Match day in the deep south of New Zealand didn't start well for the Brumbies, who had to take taxis to the ground after their team bus broke down.

Naholo suffered his latest leg injury in the dying stages of the Super Rugby champion's opening round loss to the Blues on February 26 and his rehabilitation has been carefully monitored at the franchise's headquarters.

The 24-year-old is now back in full contact training so a run in the club competition this weekend for the Harbour Hawks is the next logical step.

Should be emerge unscathed, Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod said the imposing finisher could play against the New Zealand conference-leading Chiefs in Hamilton on May 7.

The Highlanders had hoped the Fiji-born flyer would be ready to play against South Africa's Sharks in Dunedin on Friday but assistant coach Tony Brown says Naholo is still some way off full contact training.

"We haven't really made a plan for Waisake yet. We're getting him back running, he's doing that at the moment," Brown said.

Liam Gill, Nick Frisby and star man Samu Kerevi all scored tries in the first half, as the competition's 17th-ranked team dominated the outfit who came into the round rated second best.

In the forwards, regular starting lock Joe Wheeler re-joins the team and will partner with Mark Reddish who, after a good showing last week against the Waratahs, has been promoted to the starting fifteen.

The locks who started against the Waratahs last weekend, Alex Ainley and Tom Franklin, have both been left out of the matchday 23 this week.