The Canterbury Crusaders and Waikato Chiefs joined the Wellington Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals on Saturday, securing an all-New Zealand affair after the Queensland Reds failed to break Australia's playoff hoodoo in New Zealand.
Johnny McNicholl scored a hat-trick of tries as the Crusaders overpowered the Blues 52-31 in Christchurch. The Blues still advanced as the highest-ranked losing team, setting up a semifinal against the top-seeded Hurricanes in Wellington next Saturday.
In Hamilton, the Chiefs defeated the Reds 46-24. Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie contributed 26 points, including two tries. The Chiefs will host the Crusaders in a rematch of last year's final on Friday.
Discipline proved costly: Blues number eight Malachi Wrampling received a red card for a high tackle, and Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was sin-binned for a similar offense. The Crusaders remain perfect in 33 Christchurch playoffs since 1998.