ozbash
Referee
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Crusaders v Hurricanes @ Christchurch
Waratahs v Blues @ Sydney
Saturday Chiefs v Highlanders @ Hamilton
Reds v Brumbies @ Brisbane
Bulls v Stormers @ Pretoria
Cats v Sharks @ Bloemfontein
___________________________________
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are safe but the Highlanders and Blues need help to make the semifinals of the Rebel Sport Super 12 as the championship heads into its last round this weekend.
The top four got full representation from all three competing countries when the South African Bulls charged into the play-offs frame with a 23-17 win over the Sharks in Durban.
They now host the Stormers in their final round-robin match and will be favoured to make the semifinals.
The Blues (v the Waratahs) and the Highlanders (v Chiefs) need victories and probably bonus point efforts to have any chance if the Bulls slip up.
The Hurricanes got out of the blocks in the penultimate round to beat the Blues last Friday night. Results went their way in the other matches to confirm their place in the play-offs.
They travel south to play the Crusaders on Friday night knowing they can't improve on their third place. But they would like a bonus point as they are vulnerable to being overtaken by the Bulls.
The Waratahs and Crusaders are safe at the top of the table but can still shuffle for the top place with just one point separating them.
The first-placed Waratahs host the Blues on Friday night in Sydney, looking to confirm the all-important top spot that would give them home advantage right through the play-offs.
Super 12 Play-Offs Frame
Waratahs
1st (40 points)
Last match: v Blues, Sydney, Friday.
Scenario: Home semi assured but can still be overtaken by Crusaders. They play the second match on Friday night, so they'll know what's needed.
Crusaders
2nd (39 points)
Last match: v Hurricanes, Christchurch, Friday.
Scenario: Home semi assured. Play first so can put pressure on Waratahs. A bonus point win could be enough for top spot.
Hurricanes
3rd (34 points)
Last match: v Crusaders, Christchurch, Friday.
Scenario: Semifinal certainty. Might need a bonus point at least here to hold third place.
Bulls
4th (30 points)
Last match: v Stormers, Bloemfontein, Sunday.
Scenario: Well-placed to snare a play-off spot and will know what they need to do as they play last in this final round. Will possibly need a victory but might not even need that if the Kiwis fall over again.
Highlanders
5th (27 points)
Last match: v Chiefs, Hamilton, Saturday.
Scenario: It's a must win match. They will know what the Blues have done on Friday but they have to win to put pressure on the Bulls.
Blues
6th (26 points)
Last match: v Waratahs, Sydney, Friday.
Scenario: Win and hope for the former champions. They need plenty to go their way and have to beat the Tahs, probably with a bonus point, to have any chance. They then need the Highlanders and Bulls to lose.
Waratahs v Blues @ Sydney
Saturday Chiefs v Highlanders @ Hamilton
Reds v Brumbies @ Brisbane
Bulls v Stormers @ Pretoria
Cats v Sharks @ Bloemfontein
___________________________________
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are safe but the Highlanders and Blues need help to make the semifinals of the Rebel Sport Super 12 as the championship heads into its last round this weekend.
The top four got full representation from all three competing countries when the South African Bulls charged into the play-offs frame with a 23-17 win over the Sharks in Durban.
They now host the Stormers in their final round-robin match and will be favoured to make the semifinals.
The Blues (v the Waratahs) and the Highlanders (v Chiefs) need victories and probably bonus point efforts to have any chance if the Bulls slip up.
The Hurricanes got out of the blocks in the penultimate round to beat the Blues last Friday night. Results went their way in the other matches to confirm their place in the play-offs.
They travel south to play the Crusaders on Friday night knowing they can't improve on their third place. But they would like a bonus point as they are vulnerable to being overtaken by the Bulls.
The Waratahs and Crusaders are safe at the top of the table but can still shuffle for the top place with just one point separating them.
The first-placed Waratahs host the Blues on Friday night in Sydney, looking to confirm the all-important top spot that would give them home advantage right through the play-offs.
Super 12 Play-Offs Frame
Waratahs
1st (40 points)
Last match: v Blues, Sydney, Friday.
Scenario: Home semi assured but can still be overtaken by Crusaders. They play the second match on Friday night, so they'll know what's needed.
Crusaders
2nd (39 points)
Last match: v Hurricanes, Christchurch, Friday.
Scenario: Home semi assured. Play first so can put pressure on Waratahs. A bonus point win could be enough for top spot.
Hurricanes
3rd (34 points)
Last match: v Crusaders, Christchurch, Friday.
Scenario: Semifinal certainty. Might need a bonus point at least here to hold third place.
Bulls
4th (30 points)
Last match: v Stormers, Bloemfontein, Sunday.
Scenario: Well-placed to snare a play-off spot and will know what they need to do as they play last in this final round. Will possibly need a victory but might not even need that if the Kiwis fall over again.
Highlanders
5th (27 points)
Last match: v Chiefs, Hamilton, Saturday.
Scenario: It's a must win match. They will know what the Blues have done on Friday but they have to win to put pressure on the Bulls.
Blues
6th (26 points)
Last match: v Waratahs, Sydney, Friday.
Scenario: Win and hope for the former champions. They need plenty to go their way and have to beat the Tahs, probably with a bonus point, to have any chance. They then need the Highlanders and Bulls to lose.
