Super Rugby’s six play-off teams may have already been decided, but for the Brumbies and Waratahs this weekend’s final round could yet prove prematurely fatal to their chances of winning the title.
The play-off teams in descending if not final order are the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Stormers, Chiefs, Highlanders and Brumbies; with the Brumbies, in sixth place, playing the Crusaders on Saturday.
The ACT team could pinch the top Australian conference spot from the Waratahs to secure a home semi-final should they win with a bonus point. The Waratahs, in second overall, need to beat the Reds with a four-try bonus to lockdown a Sydney semi-final. In fact, both sides could finish as high as second or as low as sixth.
Indeed, there is much to play for as a final sixth place standing means a trip to South Africa next week to play the Stormers in Newlands. It’s a tough ask to lift the trophy off the back of a trip to the republic. The Brumbies know this from experience. They tried in 2013 when the travelled to Pretoria and beat the Bulls, only to run out of petrol after leading 16-9 at half-time in a tightly-contested final against the Chiefs in Hamilton a week later.
Unfortunately for the Brumbies, this weekend is not a great time to face seven-time champions the Crusaders, who are out of the play-offs for the first time since 2001. If that indignity weren’t sufficient motivation, the Crusaders will also be playing for All Black legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw who will play their last game of Super Rugby. Seeing off the pair in fitting style means a great deal to the players and coaching staff. One would expect the Crusaders to empty the tank, and then some.
There’s also the matter of the Crusaders’ rising form to contend with. Both teams have won four of their last six coming into Saturday, but it’s the Crusaders who have looked far more convincing, especially in touching up the ladder-leading Hurricanes 35-18 two weeks ago.
The Crusaders also have a few All Blacks to call upon: Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, McCaw, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Carter, Ryan Crotty, and Tom Taylor in the starting XV, with Colin Slade on the bench. The Crusaders form in recent weeks indicate they’ve finally come good, albeit too late for play-off aspirations, but just in time for one last win for McCaw and Carter. It might be prudent for the Brumbies to check-in their luggage at the airport pre-game. A long flight to Newlands awaits.
The Waratahs, meanwhile, look to have the easier task in securing a home semi-final when they take on the Reds at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening. That’s not to say the Reds are not capable of an upset. It is after all a New South Wales vs Queensland contest, and these fixtures historically inspire legendary feats north of the border. But the 2015 Reds have been diabolical so history might count for nought come Saturday.
However, they have been signs of late-season improvement at Ballymore. The Reds’ last-start loss to the Chiefs was telling. The Mooloo men won 24-3, but it was the Reds who dominated the best part of the first half. In fact, they should have scored a couple of tries at the very least. Alas, it was the same old story - the final pass never stuck, poor decision-making and sometimes just plain bad luck. Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, never one to give a sucker a lucky break, must no doubt be wary of the Reds finally putting it all together for 80 minutes. And there’s the farewell factor at play for the Reds too - Will Genia and James Horwill’s last match before they take up big money contracts in Europe. The Waratahs have enough talent and form to get over get over the line, but a four-try bonus point is far from certain.
Finally, to South Africa where things could get ugly early on Sunday morning. The Sharks, out of the play-offs, could run amok against the Stormers who have rested 14 players for next week’s home semi-final. They’ve put out a development side at best against a fairly decent Sharks side intent on sending out Europe-bound Springboks Willem Alberts and Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis winners. Sadly, it will also be the last time we see front row of the du Plessis brothers and Beast Mtawarira pack down.
Super Rugby Rd 18 fixtures
Friday (AEST)
Blues v Highlanders - 5.35pm
Rebels v Force - 7.40pm
Saturday
Brumbies v Crusaders - 3.30pm
Chiefs v Hurricanes - 5.35pm
Waratahs v Reds - 7.40pm
Sunday
Bulls v Cheetahs - 1.05am
Sharks v Stormers - 3.10am
