Super Rugby Pacific Playoff Permutations: Last-Round Showdown for Postseason Berths

BBC Sport Rugby Union: Super Rugby Pacific Playoffs Permutations Ahead of Final Round

As the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season enters its final round, the playoff picture is still very much up for grabs. With the exception of the Waratahs, every team remains in contention for the coveted 2024 title.

The top four teams, who will host the quarterfinals, have been known for a couple of weeks now. The Chiefs are locked into the fourth spot, while the Blues, Hurricanes, and Brumbies are all vying for the top seed. The Blues currently hold the advantage, needing just a single win to secure absolute home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Fijian Drua, sitting in eighth place, have a chance to claim their second consecutive playoff appearance by defeating the seventh-placed Rebels at home. However, should the Drua falter, the Western Force, Moana Pasifika, or the Crusaders could still snatch the eighth and final playoff spot.

The permutations for each team are as follows:

1. Blues: Current 51 points, +241 points difference, 11 wins. Best: First (Win v Chiefs); Worst: Third (Loss v Chiefs and Hurricanes/Brumbies wins)
2. Hurricanes: Current 51 points, +172 points difference, 11 wins. Best: First (Win v Highlanders and Blues loss); Worst: Third (Loss v Highlanders and Brumbies win)
3. Brumbies: Current 48 points, +94 points difference, 11 wins. Best: First (Win v Force and Blues/Hurricanes defeat); Worst: Third (Brumbies, Blues and Hurricanes Win or Brumbies defeat)
4. Chiefs: Current 43 points, +189 points difference, 9 wins. Best/Worst: Fourth
5. Reds: Current 36 points, +103 points difference, 7 wins. Best/Worst: Fifth
6. Highlanders: Current 28 points, -70 points difference, 6 wins. Best: Sixth (Win v Hurricanes or Rebels loss v Drua); Worst: Seventh (Loss v Hurricanes, Rebels win v Drua)
7. Rebels: Current 26 points, -126 points difference, 5 wins. Best: Sixth (Win v Drua, Highlanders loss v Hurricanes); Worst: Eighth (Loss v Drua with Drua getting bonus point)
8. Fijian Drua: Current 21 points, -123 points difference, 5 wins. Best: Seventh (Win v Rebels with bonus point); Worst: 10th (Loss v Rebels and Force/Crusaders wins)
9. Western Force: Current 19 points, -127 points difference, 4 wins. Best: Eighth (Win v Force, Drua loss v Rebels and Crusaders win w/out bonus point or loss); Worst: 11th (Loss v Brumbies, Moana win v Crusaders, who get losing BP)
10. Crusaders: Current 19 points, -39 points difference, 3 wins. Best: Eighth (Win v Moana and Force/Drua defeat); Worst: 11th (Loss v Moana)
11. Moana Pasifika: Current 18 points, -187 points difference, 4 wins. Best: Eighth (Win v Crusaders and Force/Drua defeat); Worst: 11th (Loss v Crusaders)
12. Waratahs: Current 12 points, -127 points difference, 2 wins. Best/Worst: 12th

With the playoff scenarios outlined, the final round of the 2023 BBC Sport Rugby Union’s Super Rugby Pacific season promises to be a thrilling and closely contested affair.

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