It’s the decisive weekend in the chase for places in the Super Rugby finals with only two of the top eight positions locked in ahead of the final round and 11 of 12 teams still alive.
The first game of round 15 saw the Blues beat the Highlanders 16-9 to secure third place and leave the Highlanders needing other results to go their way. The Brumbies secured fourth spot with a win in Canerra while the Drua made the top eight, beating Queensland and leaving the Reds sweating on the final game of the round between the Force and Chiefs.
We will update the quarterfinal situation as it unfolds with venues, days and times to be determined based on the preferences of the host team and the two broadcasters.
How it works
Finals match ups
Quarterfinals – 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 with the top-ranked team hosting
QF 1 v 8: Chiefs vs TBC.
QF 2 v 7: Crusaders vs TBC.
QF 3 v 6: Blues vs Waratahs
QF 4 v 5: Brumbies vs Hurricanes
Semi-Finals – top-ranked quarter-final winner hosts against lowest-ranked quarter-final winner & 2nd highest ranked quarterfinal winner hosts 3rd highest ranked winner.
Final – top-ranked semi-final winner hosts the other semi-final winner.Advertisement
How table ties are decided
In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table final positions will be decided upon using the following steps until the tie is broken:
a) Most wins from all matches;
b) Highest aggregate points difference from all matches;
c) Most tries from all matches;
d) Highest aggregate difference of total tries for versus tries scored against from all matches;
e) Coin toss
How the games affect table placings.
Friday
Blues vs Highlanders
The Blues finished third after a 16-9 win over the Highlanders. That sets up a match against the Waratahs next weekend, and form is on their side having beaten NSW 55-21 earlier this season. The Highlanders managed a bonus point but stayed in eighth pending other results this weekend.
Brumbies vs Rebels, 7.35pm
The Brumbies stayed fourth and secured a semifinal against the Hurricanes with a 33-17 win that eliminated the Rebels.
Saturday
Drua vs Reds, 2.35pm
The Drua beat the Reds in Fiji to claim a first finals spot. They went to seventh but a Force win with a bonus point, or by more than two points against the Chiefs, would put the WA team into seventh and the Drua in eighth. The Reds will get through in eighth if the Chiefs beat the Force.
Hurricanes vs Crusaders 5.05pm
The Hurricanes stay fifth after the Brumbies’ win. The Crusaders have second locked down win or lose.
Waratahs vs Moana Pasifika 7.35pm
This game has no bearing on the quarterfinal make up. The Tahs will finish sixth regardless and play the third placed team. Moana Pasifika will end the season with the wooden spoon
Force vs Chiefs 10pm
The Chiefs finished first and made 13 changes to rest players ahead of the finals. The Force can go into seventh with a win by more than two points. They will finish eighth with a one point victory.
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