Crusaders knocked out of Super Rugby playoffs

The Crusaders have been knocked out of Super Rugby playoffs contention after losing 32‑22 to the Waratahs last night.

The Crusaders have sunk to their worst Super Rugby finish since 2001.

It is just the fourth year in the franchise's coveted history that the seven‑time champions have not made the playoffs and the first since the 2001 season when the men in red and black finished 10th. The only other seasons the Christchurch‑based team have missed the playoffs were the competition's first two, in 1996 and 1997.

In other results, The Hurricanes secured their place in the Super Rugby play offs for the first time since 2009 by beating the Blues 29-5, the Highlanders kept the pressure on the Chiefs by beating the Western Force 23‑3, the Stormers moved back into Super Rugby's top three by beating the Melbourne Rebels 31‑15 while the Lions knocked the Bulls off the top spot in the South African Super Rugby conference by beating the Cheetahs 40-17.

In the results from last night, the Chiefs beat the Bulls 34-20 while the Sharks beat the Reds 21-14.