As we all take a deep breath and get over the Lions series, attention now turns to the final round of Super Rugby for 2013.
The final six teams on the ladder are locked in – Bulls, Chiefs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Reds and Cheetahs – but their exact finishing position may not be determined until the final whistle in the Stormers and Bulls match on Sunday morning.
As it stands the Bulls and Chiefs occupy the top two positions and if they finish up there they have the advantage of a week off in the first week of the finals.
In the first week the team that finishes third will play sixth at home, whilst fourth plays fifth at home.
Of the top six, these are their fixtures for the last round:
- Bulls (63 pts) Stormers away Sunday morning (AEST)
- Chiefs (61 pts) Blues away Saturday night
- Brumbies (59 pts) Force away Saturday night
- Crusaders (56 pts) Hurricanes home Friday night
- Reds (54 pts) Waratahs away Saturday night
- Cheetahs (50 pts) have the bye so they effectively have 54 points
To make it just that little bit more confusing, should teams finish on equal points their ladder position is determined firstly on how total wins and if equal again then on points differential.
There are numerous possibilities but ideally Australian fans would want both the Brumbies and Reds to avoid other in the first round.
That could mean the Reds face the juggernaut that is the Crusaders in Christchurch, although the Reds would fancy their chances after a clean sweep against New Zealand opposition this year.
There is the remote possibility of the Brumbies snatching top spot but for that to occur the following needs to happen:
- Chiefs lose to the Blues
- Brumbies beat the Force with a bonus point
- Bulls lose to the Stormers by more than seven points
The Reds could also sneak into fourth if:
- Crusaders lose to the Hurricanes
- Reds beat the Waratahs
So for the sake of Australian rugby it may be that fans have to cheer for their arch rivals – Waratahs fans this means you – or for teams they’ve never cared to watch before but come Sunday morning we’ll know where we stand.
