While most rugby fans were focused on events in Sydney, there was plenty of interest elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere. This is after all the business end of Super Rugby with playoff spots up for grabs.
At the end of the weekend, we now know the 6 teams who will further their seasons after the last round robin next weekend -
Bulls, Chiefs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Reds and Cheetahs.
The Bulls and Brumbies have clinched their conferences - the Brumbies did this a few weeks before they scored that upset win against the Lions while the Bulls clinched the division with victory against the Kings last week.
The Chiefs are 5 points ahead of the Crusaders and only need one more point to win the New Zealand conference. They will need to gain that point against the Blues in Auckland who would have just got off the plane from their unsuccessful tour of South Africa.
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| Chiefs walloped the Blues in Tauranga earlier this year |
The Crusaders take on the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday night and will be looking to clinch all 5 points available and give themselves a shock tilt at the New Zealand conference title.
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| Hurricanes leaked in 6 tries against the cellar-dwellers from the Deep South |
Given the Hurricanes' porous defence at home against the Highlanders and the form of the Crusaders in smashing the Chiefs, the Crusaders will be licking their lips at the prospect of an unlikely title win - there's also going to be a new trophy for the conference winners - and a possible bye to the next round depending on results elsewhere.
Should the Chiefs fail to pick up any points on Saturday against the Blues, the following tie breaking rules will apply.
Tie breaking rules -
In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on either the Conference or Super Rugby Standings tables, either during or at the end of the season, such position 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.
The Crusaders would win the tie breaker by dint of having the better aggregate points difference from all matches.
Even if they fall short, a Crusaders win would guarantee that Christchurch hosts a playoff game - it will probably be against the Reds who are almost certain to be the 2nd ranked wildcard team even if they lose to the Waratahs next weekend.
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| The Cheetahs clinched their first appearance in the playoffs against the Blues |
The Cheetahs will get 4 more points for the bye to push the Reds close but will likely finish as the 3rd ranked wildcard team, meaning a trip to the Antipodes is likely - whether it's Pretoria, Canberra, Hamilton or even Christchurch remains to be seen.
The Bulls are in pole position to clinch top seeding for the finals - they just need victory against the already eliminated Stormers in Cape Town to wrap up the no. 1 spot after beating the Sharks in a thriller on Saturday night to overtake the Chiefs on the ladder.
It means that the Bulls are favourites to add to their 3 titles and further seal their title as South Africa's most successful Super Rugby franchise. Pretoria has proven to be a tough place to win but sides like the Crusaders or Brumbies could fancy their chances in the cauldron that is Loftus Versfeld on their day.
So, one weekend of Super Rugby to go before the finals. It has been quite a season. How will the playoffs look like? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, here's my tip for the playoffs
FIRST WEEKEND -
1.Bulls, 2.Chiefs bye
3.Brumbies beat 6.Cheetahs, Canberra
4.Crusaders beat 5.Reds, Christchurch
SECOND WEEKEND -
1.Bulls v 4.Crusaders, Pretoria
2.Chiefs v 3.Brumbies, Hamilton
FINAL - Brumbies v Crusaders, Canberra
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