Super Rugby Pacific’s Play-off Race Heats Up as Teams Vie for Final Round Spots
May 26, 2024 – With the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition just around the corner, the race for play-off places is heating up. Eleven of the 12 participating teams in the Southern Hemisphere tournament are still in contention, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the regular season.
The Blues currently sit atop the table with 51 points, though the Hurricanes are hot on their heels with the same number of points. Vern Cotter’s Blues will be keen to secure a win against the Chiefs at Eden Park to cement their position and gain home advantage for the semi-finals and final. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will look to pounce on any slip-ups from the leaders when they host the Highlanders.
Brumbies in Firm Third Place
Firmly entrenched in third place are the in-form Brumbies, who have won their last five matches. A bonus-point victory over the Western Force could see them leapfrog the Blues and Hurricanes, though that remains a tall order.
Chiefs and Reds Secure Quarter-final Berths
The Chiefs, despite a recent defeat to the Hurricanes, have already secured a home quarter-final. Likewise, the Reds are assured of fifth spot and a trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs. These teams may opt to rest key players in the final round.
Highlanders and Rebels Battle for Position
Further down the table, the Highlanders sit sixth and will be hoping to maintain that position to avoid a daunting trip to face the Brumbies in the quarter-finals. The struggling Melbourne Rebels, meanwhile, will be desperate to rediscover their early-season form when they travel to Fiji to take on the Fijian Drua.
Remaining Teams Face Uphill Battle
The Drua, Crusaders, Moana Pasifika, and Western Force all face an uphill battle to secure the remaining play-off spots. The Waratahs, rooted at the bottom of the table, will aim to finish their season on a high note against the Reds.
With crucial matches across the board, the final round of Super Rugby Pacific promises to be a nail-biting affair as teams vie for the remaining play-off positions.
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