The Waratahs and Brumbies are both in with a shot of qualifying for Super Rugby finals, but how can it happen?
Both the Brumbies and Waratahs are locked on 34 points, with the Brumbies the only Australian team currently qualifying for finals due to their superior win/loss record.
The Waratahs sit four points behind the fifth placed Highlanders in the Australasian group who are holding onto the final wildcard place as we speak.
How the Brumbies can make the finals
Games: Reds (H), Blues (A), Force (H)
The Brumbies are a good chance to win their last three games against teams out of finals contention which would all but lock away a finals birth.
However, one slip up could open the door for the Waratahs to overtake them on top of the Australian conference. The Brumbies have managed just two bonus points this season compared to the Waratahs six, so that could also come back to hurt the Canberra-based side in the final rounds.
How the Waratahs can make the finals
Games: Sunwolves (A), Hurricanes (H), Blues (A)
The Waratahs need to win their remaining three matches to be in with a chance of securing a finals spot. With tough matches against two New Zealand’s sides, Daryl Gibson’s men will need to be on top of the game.
The Waratahs chances will be made a bit easier, if the Highlanders slip up in their remaining matches. The most likely scenario would be a loss to the Chiefs in round 17 which would narrow their four-point margin over the Waratahs.
While the Highlanders have two away games remaining, they're against the Kings and Jaguares who have combined for just four wins from their 24 matches. This puts more pressure on the Waratahs to not only win, but win comfortably with bonus points.
