The race for the Super Rugby Pacific Finals is ramping up, with several positions still up for grabs.
The Hurricanes and Chiefs are locked in, but beyond that, it's still anyone's guess to see who qualifies.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Those teams are still fighting for the all-important top spot and home-field advantage in the knock-out stages, while the other eight in contention face must-win games this weekend.
Rugby.com.au breaks down what you need to know ahead of this week:
v Highlanders, at Crusaders
The Hurricanes went one step closer to top spot with a big win over the Blues.
The late bonus point ensures they still control their own destiny, with a win over the Highlanders putting them in the box seat before they face the Crusaders.
at Crusaders, v Blues
The Chiefs can still claim top with maximum points and a Hurricanes defeat, but time is running out.
They face a really difficult away trip to the new One NZ Stadium, returning home against the Blues.
Even if they beat two of the top teams in the competition, they can still miss out on the minor premiership should the Hurricanes win out.
at Chiefs
Back-to-back losses have the Blues suddenly in danger of losing their home final status.
They can lock up third with victory over the Chiefs, whilst a loss by the Crusaders and Brumbies secures their spot.
If they lose, then the Crusaders can overtake them if they win out to finish the year, while the Brumbies would need at least one winning bonus point and to make up the points difference (45) to overtake them.
v Chiefs, v Hurricanes
As mentioned, the Crusaders can claim a home final if they win out and the Blues lose to the Chiefs.
They can book their spot in the finals with one victory but there is a doomsday scenario for the defending champions if they lose both games.
If the Waratahs win out with one or two bonus points and the Brumbies/Reds win to finish the year, then they could potentially miss out on finals, pending losing bonus points and points difference.
at Waratahs, v Moana
The Brumbies need to win and become the Chiefs' biggest fans.
If they finish the year with two bonus point wins and the Chiefs beat the Crusaders and Blues, then they can secure a home final in Canberra. If the Blues manage a bonus point this week, then they’d have to make up the points difference.
A loss and it invites the Waratahs into the picture, who can jump them on Friday with a win by eight points or more. They would then need to better whatever the Waratahs do in the final round as they face Moana Pasifika, while the Tahs take on the Force.
at Moana, v Drua
Back-to-back losses has the Reds hanging on but their draw is the easiest of the top six.
Wins against both Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua lock them into the finals, with the potential to go as high as fourth if the results fall their way.
v Brumbies, at Force
The NSW Waratahs’ hopes were revived with their bonus point win over the Fijian Drua, setting up a must-win clash with the Brumbies.
If they win and deny the Brumbies a bonus point, then they control their own destiny next week against the Western Force. Anything else and they are hoping their fellow Australian sides slip up.
at Hurricanes
The Highlanders are all but dead in the water after last week’s defeat.
There is one path to the finals, and it’s:
- Defeat the Hurricanes (ideally with a bonus point)
- Waratahs lose to the Brumbies and Force
- Reds lose to Drua and Moana without a bonus point
- Force lose to Drua
- Drua’s wins over Force and Reds do not come with bonus points
Simple.
v Drua, v Waratahs
The Force are pretty much out of contention but still have a slim chance after last week’s win over the Reds.
They need the Queenslanders to lose out to jump them, whilst also hoping the Waratahs don’t win on Friday, otherwise they would need the Brumbies to lose out as well.
at Force, at Reds
The Drua missed a golden opportunity against the NSW Waratahs and must now win on the road against the Force and Reds.
They can jump the Reds should they lose to Moana as well, while hoping the Waratahs/Highlanders/Force all drop games.
v Reds, at Brumbies
Moana Pasifika’s tough season has only continued after another defeat.
Their season started strong with their upset win over the Drua but they haven’t tasted success since.
