After 16 weeks, the playoffs are finally here. Six teams have survived the gruelling sprint that is the Super Rugby Pacific regular season and only four will make their way to the semifinals.
It all kicks off on Friday night with the table-topping Hurricanes taking on the Brumbies, before the weekend rounds out on Saturday with the Crusaders-Blues grudge and the trans-Tasman battle between the Chiefs and Reds.
Find out who's in and out, as well as the other key team news, below!
[Note: all odds correct 1pm 6/3]
Friday, June 5
Hurricanes vs. Brumbies
Hnry Stadium, Wellington, 5:05pm (AEST)
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Brad Shields, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delaney, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Ereatari Enari, Jone Rova, Ngane Punivai
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Hudson Creighton, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Charlie Cale, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Lachlan Shaw, Allan Alaalatoa, Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Nick frost, Rory Scott, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Ollie Sapsford.
Officials: Referee: Ben O'Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Warwick Lahmert, Todd Petrie; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The Hurricanes are nearly back to full strength, after they rested a host of stars in an inconsequential final-round defeat by the Crusaders. Back come Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Ruben Love, Peter Lakai, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Warner Dearns, but, sadly, Fehi Fineanganofo is still sidelined by injury, meaning the Super Rugby season try-scoring record will have to wait at least another week. The Brumbies have made two changes with Lachlan Lonergan preferred at hooker after Billy Pollard's lineout woes against Moana Pasifika, while Luke Reimer swaps in for Rory Scott at openside flanker. The Brumbies beat four of five Kiwi teams this year, but their one loss was to, yep, you guessed it, the Hurricanes. That was a Super Round shellacking in Christchurch and one that will have given the Canes loads of confidence. It's hard to see the ACT ending Australia's 0-21 collective finals drought in New Zealand; it is, in fact, hard to see them getting close at all. Hurricanes by 22.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes: $1.05, -18.5 $1.85; Brumbies: $9.00, +18.5 $1.95
Saturday, June 6
Crusaders vs. Blues
ONE NZ Stadium, Christchurch, 2:35pm (AEST)
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (captain), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, George Bower, Codie Taylor, Finlay Brewis: Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Braydon Ennor.
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Sam Nock, Malachi Wrampling, Anton Segner, Torian Barnes, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Replacements: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Payton Spencer.
Officials: Referee: Nic Berry; Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley; TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The Crusaders finished the season with another victory at their fancy new home, thrashing an understrength Hurricanes outfit. This looms as a tougher test, but the Blues aren't exactly flying themselves -- they have actually been terribly poor in the back half of the season. They were well beaten by a Chiefs team down on troops last week, and while they regain skipper Patrick Tuipoluto, there is still no Beauden Barrett. The hosts have regained Leicester Fainga'anuku from a week's rest, so too Ethan Blackadder, but Fletcher Newell misses through injury, which places further stress on their front-row depth. The Crusaders might face some wobbles at scrum time, but that shouldn't be enough for them to slip up at home. Crusaders by 15.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders: $1.30, -.9.5 $1.85; Blues: $3.40, +9.5 $1.95
Chiefs vs. Queensland Reds
FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand, 5:05pm (AEST)
Chiefs: Isaac Hutchinson, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Kyle Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (captain), Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord, Sione Ahio, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris. Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter.
Reds: Jock Campbell, Lachie Anderson, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard.
Officials: Referee: James Doleman; Assistant referees: Marcus Playle; Fraser Hannon; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: Damian McKenzie finally makes his return from a few weeks on the sidelines in what is a powerful Chiefs team. Coach Jono Gibbes has 13 All Blacks at his disposal and while the Reds are well stocked with Wallabies, this looms as huge challenge for the Queenslanders, who have opted for Josh Nasser at hooker, while Joe Brial and Jock Campbell are restored to the starting side that beat the Drua last week. These two teams played out a thrilling contest in Brisbane a few weeks ago, but the Chiefs represent a far tougher prospect at home, and they will fancy their chances of dominating the Reds set-piece once more. If that does eventuate, it will be a long night for Queensland and coach Les Kiss' last as Reds coach. Chiefs by 14.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs: $1.09, -16.5 $1.90; Reds: $7.00, +16.5 $1.90