A conference winner and a wildcard spot - who will take the final Super Rugby playoff spots?
Brumbies - 39 pts, 9 wins, 3 bonus points PD +110
The Brumbies currently sit at the top of the Australian conference, putting them in the box seat for the one guaranteed finals spot.
Run home:
Blues (A), Force (H)
What they need to do:
Win, with as many bonus points as possible. It really is as simple as that for the Brumbies. If they can win all their games, they will stay a victory ahead of the Waratahs and in top spot going into the playoffs. The conference lead is particularly important, aside from being likely the only guaranteed Australian finals spot, because it grants the winner a home final. And Canberra in July would be a pretty intimidating trip for any team.
Biggest danger:
If the Brumbies win their final two matches, there is one way they could be toppled by NSW - bonus points. The Waratahs have amassed seven this season - the equal second-highest tally across the Super Rugby competition.
Waratahs - 39 pts, 8 wins, 7 bonus points, PD +113
The Waratahs are equal on points with the Brumbies, though one fewer win puts them out of the conference lead, with a match against the Hurricanes looming
Run home:
Hurricanes (H), Blues (A)
What they need to do:
Two run of the mill wins will not do for the Waratahs, unless the Brumbies falter in their final two matches. NSW needs bonus points and victories to leap ahead of the ACT in the conference standings. A bonus-point win over the Hurricanes this weekend could hurl them into the wildcard spots.
Biggest danger:
If they lose this weekend, the Waratahs are more than likely done for 2016. They have shown they can match it with the Kiwi teams - a miraculous near-comeback against the Highlanders and a huge win over the Chiefs this season at Allianz reminded spectators of that - and they’ll need to do that again.
Highlanders - 43 points, 9 wins, 7 bonus points, PD +113
The Highlanders currently sit in the bottom of three wildcard spots with two rounds to go, four points clear of the Waratahs.
Run home:
Jaguares (A), Chiefs (H)
What they need to do:
Win and hope the Hurricanes do them some favours in Sydney this weekend.. Bonus points will be just that for the Highlanders, who are the Kiwi team most in danger of dropping out of a wildcard position in the final fortnight
Biggest danger:
An upset at the hands of the Jaguares in Argentina would put the Highlanders in a very precarious position heading into their final match of the regular season.
Hurricanes - 44 points, 9 wins, 8 bonus points, +136
The Hurricanes sit just one point ahead of the Highlanders and two losses could put them in serious trouble.
Run home:
Waratahs (A), Crusaders (A)
What they need to do:
A win over the Waratahs this weekend would do themselves and the Highlanders a great deal of good, effectively sealing their playoff spots and leaving the Aussies to fight it out for one final place in the knockouts.
Biggest danger:
A hungry Waratahs side fresh off a big win in Japan. A bonus-point loss would put them out of the wild card spot and needing a victory over the Crusaders in Canterbury in the final round.
