There may only be three rounds of the regular season left but shockingly every team is still in the mix to break into the top eight.
Five teams remain in the hunt for a final playoff position including both the Western Force and Waratahs who close out the round this weekend, while the Rebels take on the Chiefs in a match that could impact top eight positions.
Check out all the team lists, key ins and outs, odds and our tips below.
Friday, May 17
Hurricanes vs.
Moana Pasifika
Sky Stadium, Wellington; 5:05pm [AEST]
Hurricanes: Harry Godfrey, Daniel Sinkinson, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Aidan Morgan, Richard Judd; Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Brad Shields (C), Ben Grant, Justin Sangster, Siale Lauaki, Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Replacements: James O'Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawe, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
Moana: Danny Toala, Fine Inisi, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Neria Fomai, William Havili, Jonathan Taumateine; Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui, Jacob Norris, Allan Craig, Tom Savage, Sione Mafileo, Samieula Moli, Abraham Pole.
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tevita Langi, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes N/A, -33.5 $1.90; Moana $51, +33.5 $1.95
Prediction: Fresh off their gripping clash with the Blues, the Hurricanes will enjoy a far easier assignment at home to Moana. This game is a foregone conclusion in the bookies' minds at least, with head-to-head betting suspended, but there could be a lack of cohesion early for the home side with coach Clark Laidlaw opting to rotate a swathe of frontline stars. There is no Jordie Barrett, Ruben Love, TJ Perenara or Brayden Iose, with Laidlaw handing the playmaking reins to halves Richard Judd and Aidan Morgan. This game sees Julian Savea visit the Cake Tin for the first time since his switch to Moana, with the winger-turned-centre eyeing of a couple of five-pointers as his race with Perenara at the top of the all-time Super Rugby try-scoring charts continues. A try to Savea might be the only bright spot on what looks like an otherwise long night for the visitors.
Tip: Hurricanes by 35
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Melbourne Rebels vs.
Chiefs
AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7:35pm [AEST]
Rebels: Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, Nick Jooste, Darby Lancaster, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens; Vaiolinil Ekuasi, Brad Wilkin, Josh Kemeny, Josh Canham, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Sam Talakai, Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa'amausili, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Glen Vaihu
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Luke Jacobson (c), Kaylum Boshier, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Rebels $5.50, +16.5 $1.90; Chiefs $1.14, -16.5 $1.90
Verdict: With ongoing uncertainty around their future, this may well be the last Rebels home game ever. Even if they survive, it appears unlikely the consortium hoping to obtain the license from Rugby Australia wants to play at AAMI Park, and so The Stockade is set for one last try-rush. Given the way the Chiefs play their football and the Rebels' leaky defence, you should expect this to be a high-scoring affair. Just how much the hosts are motivated by the stark realities of this match will go a long way to determining how close they get. There is not Andrew Kellaway or Taniela Tupou for the Rebels after both players picked up head knocks in the loss to the Reds, but they will have a greater on-ball presence at the breakdown with the return of Brad Wilkin. The Chiefs have welcomed back a swathe of frontliners after they were rested against Moana last week, headlined by Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa. There is however no Samipeni Finau, which should warm the heart of Carter Gordon after the back-rower has terrorised Australian 10s for much of the year. Look for the Rebels to make this competitive for 60-70 minutes, but the Chiefs appear to have too many points in them for there to be an upset here.
Tip: Chiefs by 15
Saturday, May 18
Fijian Drua vs.
Queensland Reds
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 12:05pm [AEST]
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Waqa Nalaga, Epeli Momo, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Simione Kuruvoli; Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Koroiduadua.
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro
Reds: Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Taj Annan, Hunter Paisami, Floyd Aubrey, Lawson Creighton, Tate McDemortt; John Bryant, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Cormac Daly, Ryan Smith, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai.
Replacements: George Blake, Sef Fa'agase, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Tim Ryan.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Drua $2.30, +3.5 $1.90; Reds $1.60, -3.5 $1.90
Verdict: This looks to be the game of the round with the in-form Reds heading to Fiji for a date with the Drua, who's season is slipping away. The Drua were smashed in Perth last weekend, leaving coach Mick Byrne with more questions than answers, but they will be a far sterner opposition in front of a raucous crowd at home. The Reds have meanwhile been hit by injury, the loss of No. 8 Harry Wilson to a broken arm a crushing blow to their campaign, while Josh Flook and Mac Grealy are also missing this week, and breakout star Tim Ryan is back on the bench. There is however a start for Peni Ravai, who will be playing in front of friends and family in his homeland. After doing a number on the Brumbies scrum a fortnight ago, the Drua will want to assert advantage there again to suck the energy from the Reds forwards in the humid conditions. This looks to be the toughest game of the weekend to call.
Tip: Reds by 3.
Brumbies vs.
Crusaders
GIO Stadium, Canberra, 2:35pm [AEST]
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Ollie Sapsford, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan; Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Nick Frost, Caderyn Neville, Allan Alaalatoa, Connal McInerney, James Slipper.
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O'Donnell.
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Jone Rava, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Fergus Burke, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Quinten Strange, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardner, Mitchell Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Brumbies $1.40, -6.5 $1.90; Crusaders $2.90, +6.5 $1.90
Verdict: Afternoon rugby is again on offer in Super Rugby Pacific, with Canberra playing host to a huge clash and one of the all-time great rivalries of the competition. The Crusaders may have been well below their best this year, but they remain a chance of finals football, with this game being a virtual must-win. The visitors have some good news on the selection front, too, with Fergus Burke finally fit to play his first game of the year, but there is still no Ethan Blackadder, while Tamaiti Williams and skipper Scott Barrett are also missing, the latter battling a troublesome back. Coming off a 13th straight win over the Waratahs, the Brumbies remain in the hunt for a top-two finish. They have named a near full-strength 23 for this one, Corey Toole aside, their bench looking as deep as it has ever been. But they know the Crusaders are never pushovers and that one slip up on the run home could see them not only miss the chance to grab second spot, but also slip down to fourth.
Tip: Brumbies by 12.
Blues vs.
Highlanders
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm [AEST]
Blues: Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Corey Evans, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Sam Nock; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Adrian Choat, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Kade Banks
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele'a, Jake Te Hiwi, Martín Bogado, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava; Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (c).
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma'u, Will Tucker, Will Stodartt, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Finn Hurley
Odds: [tab.com.au] Blues $1.04, -19.5 $1.90; Highlanders $9, +19.5 $1.85
Verdict: Sitting pretty on top of the ladder, the Blues are back at home this week, choc full of confidence after their gripping triumph over the Highlanders. They could have done little more to reward the 25,000 fans that made their way to Eden Park for that win over the Canes, which was probably the game of the year to date. They will however be without the form player of the competition, Hoskins Sotutu for the Highlanders' visit while Rieko Ioane is also still out following that nasty head knock against the Rebels a fortnight ago. There is some good news on the injury front, though, with Stephen Perofeta to make his return via the bench; Harry Plummer's play has however been so good that Perofeta is no guarantee to reclaim the 10 jersey once he finds his lungs. The Highlanders were impressive at home against the Crusaders last week, but this is another step up altogether. Cameron Millar was superb in Dunedin last week but the Blues will surely send plenty of traffic his way at Eden Park.
Tip: Blues by 20.
Western Force vs.
NSW Waratahs
HBF Park, Perth, 7:35pm [AEST]
Force: Kurtley Beale, George Poolman, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Izack Rodda, Jeremy Williams, Sanitago Medrano, Tom Horton, Harry Hoopert.
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu'u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Henry O'Donnell
Waratahs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon; Jed Holloway, Charlie Gamble, Lachie Swinton, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Enrique Pieretto, Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini.
Replacements: Ben Sugars, George Thornton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Force $1.75, -1.5 $1.90; Waratahs $2.05, +1.5 $1.90
Verdict: Round 13 concludes with a rivalry that may not be one of Australia's most storied, but it does carry plenty of ill-feeling. The Force love nothing more than knocking off their east coast countrymen, and they are well placed to do exactly that here with the Waratahs' unprecedented injury run reaching new lows. NSW have now lost 11 -- yes 11 -- front-rowers to season-ending injuries, with Argentine Enrique Pieretto arriving from Glasgow mid-week as the latest cab off the propping rank. He will be joined by Lewis Ponini up front, the Waratahs otherwise as they were last week in the loss to the Brumbies. The Force were spectacular in their win over the Drua, Ben Donaldson pulling the strings in a team performance that was just as good, if not better, than their effort against the Crusaders a fwe weeks earlier. This game also sees Kurtley Beale face his former club, the 95-Test fullback looked sharp in front of Wallabies coach joe Schmidt, another strong performance against the Tahs will only hope his chances of a Test recall. Both teams virtually need to win every game on the run home for finals football, so the loser here may as well start planning for a post-season get together.
Tip: Force by 7