The final round of Super Rugby Pacific 2024 is upon us and incredibly there's still plenty to play for before we head into the playoffs.
While the Chiefs and Reds are locked into fourth and fifth respectively, and the Waratahs are out of the game, there are five games that can have an impact on the final eight standings. You can read through all the different permutations here.
Check out all the team lists, key ins and outs, odds and our tips below.
Friday, May 31
Crusaders vs.
Moana Pasifika
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm [AEST]
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, Ryan Crotty, Macca Springer, Fergus Burke, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Quinten Strange, Antonio Shalfoon, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor (capt), Joe Moody
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardner, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Taine Robinson, Heremaia Murray
Moana: Kyren Taumoefolau, Fine Inisi, Henry Taefu, Julian Savea, Pepesana Patafilo, William Havili, Jonathan Taumateine; Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talittui, Jacob Norris, Allan Craigh, Tom Savage, Sekope Kepu, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole
Replacements: Tomasi Maka, Ivan Fepuleai, Suetena Asomua, Ola Tauelangi, Alamanda Motuga, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Nigel Ah Wong
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders $1.01, -27.5 $1.87; Moana $13, +27.5 $1.87
Prediction: What a win it was last week for the Crusaders, Rob Penney's side handing the Blues only their second defeat of the season. In doing so, the Crusaders kept their finals hopes alive, though they remain only an outside chance of playing again next week. All they can do themselves is beat Moana, which the bookmakers' odds suggest is a foregone conclusion. Certainly the Crusaders are a different team to the one that suffered a succession of narrow defeats, with the return of Tamaiti Williams and Ethan Blackadder to the pack of huge benefit. Moana, meanwhile, produced arguably their best performance of 2024 against the Waratahs, even considering that franchise's current woes. No. 8 Lotu Inisi goes from strength to strength, while rising fullback Kyren Taumoefolau is another player to watch. The visitors will however struggle at set-piece here with the Crusaders to put the squeeze on up front, and then unleash their backs who even without Sevu Reece this week look poised to do some damage.
Tip: Crusaders by 23.
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NSW Waratahs vs.
Queensland Reds
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7:35pm [AEST]
Waratahs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Jack Bowen, Jake Gordon; Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Lachlan Swinton, Miles Amatosero, Jed Holloway, Tom Ross, Jay Fonokalafi, Paddy Ryan.
Replacements: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Teddy Wilson, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese.
Reds: Jock Campbell, Tim Ryan, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mac Grealy, Lawson Creighton, Tate McDermott; Joe Brial; Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Seru Uru, Connor Vest, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Alex Hodgman
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Taj Annan
Odds: [tab.com.au] Waratahs $3.80, +10.5 $1.90; Reds $1.24, -10.5 $1.85
Verdict: If you thought the Waratahs were due a "coaching decision" bounce, as often happens in professional sport, last week against Moana, then you couldn't have been more wrong. After an early disallowed try, NSW were completely outplayed by their hosts for the next 60 minutes and only added a little respectability to the scoreline thereafter. Can they get up for the Bob Templeton Cup, then? Surely there is a fair whack of pride on the line, though they have been forced to recall veteran prop Paddy Ryan. There is also a start for Jack Bowen at No. 10, while fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase could use a big game if he wants to play more Test rugby before his NRL switch. The Reds, meanwhile, are humming and have the perfect opportunity to finetune their finals preps for the Chiefs against their great rivals. Lawson Creighton is back at fly-half this week while Joe Brial is a fresh face at No. 8. While the Waratahs will play with high emotion on coach Darren Coleman's last outing, their feeble scrum and a lack of general continuity are big hurdles to overcome. The Reds, on the other hand, are playing some excellent rugby.
Tip: Reds by 7
Saturday, June 1
Fijian Drua vs.
Melbourne Rebels
Churchill Park, Lautoka, 12:05pm [AEST]
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, Kemu Valetini, Waqa Nalaga, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani; Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Etonia Waqa, Leone Rotuisolia, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Caleb Muntz
Rebels: Mason Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, Filipo Daugunu, Nick Jooste, David Feiluai, Darby Lancaster, Carter Gordon, Ryan Louwrens; Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Josh Kemeny, Josh Canham, Angelo Smith, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, James Tuttle, David Vaihu, Jack Strachan
Odds: [tab.com.au] Drua $1.14, -13.5 $1.85; Rebels $9, +13.5 $1.90
Verdict: It was another day of infamy for Australian rugby on Thursday when it was officially confirmed that the Melbourne Rebels would not continue in Super Rugby Pacific beyond next season, just hours before the team was due to board their flight to Fiji. While not totally unexpected, it was still a crushing blow for a team that has performed stoutly amid the ongoing uncertainty, and has already secured its maiden finals berth in the full version of the competition. Can the Rebels then use the news as motivation? Certainly they have played some superb rugby at times this season and have nearly their strongest team on the park this week. But they are also facing a Drua side that must win to rubber-stamp its own finals berth. The hosts also have the experienced Frank Lomani back from a six-week ban. If they play to their potential, then the Drua should be far too strong. But the emotion factor for the Rebels, and the fact that the Drua may feel the pressure of playing for their own immediate future, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this one.
Tip: Drua by 3
Hurricanes vs.
Highlanders
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 2:35pm [AEST]
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett (capt), Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Brayden Iose, DuPlessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Pasilio Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia
Replacements: James O'Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Justin Sangster, Peter Lakai, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan
Highlanders: Finn Hurley, Connor Garden-Bachop, Matt Whaanga, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Ajay Faleafaga, James Arscott; Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Jermaine Ainlsey, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Tom Sanders, Hayden Michaels, Folau Fakatava, Jake Te Hiwi, Martin Bogado
Odds: [tab.com.au] Hurricanes $1.04, -19.5 $1.90; Highlanders $9, +19.5 $1.85
Verdict: The Hurricanes remain in the hunt for top spot and No. 1 seeding for the finals as they sit level with the Blues on 51 competition points. But Clark Laidlaw's side face the more attractive date of the Highlanders at home, rather than the Chiefs, compared with their northern rivals. And it may be that the Canes end up chasing a bonus point victory, which would give them an excellent chance at top spot given a Blues' bonus-point win later Saturday is much more unlikely. Still, the Highlanders have shown they are capable of mixing it with the competition's top teams, for periods at least, and they won't roll over either. But if the Hurricanes can strike early, their confidence will grow and they have more than enough firepower across the paddock to run up a score. Asafo Aumua's return is also a huge bonus.
Tip: Hurricanes by 18
Blues vs.
Chiefs
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm [AEST]
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Taufa Funaki, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'i, Akira Ioane, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Jimmy Tupou, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Peniasi Malimali
Odds: [tab.com.au] Blues $1.34, -7.5 $1.87; Chiefs $3.10, +7.5 $1.87
Verdict: The standout game of the final round, this fixture has huge ramifications for the final make-up of the top three. While the Chiefs can't improve on, nor be demoted from, fourth, they will not want to enter the finals on the back of two straight defeats, particularly when they are due to face a Reds side who has given them plenty of issues the past two years. The visitors welcome back hard-hitting No. 6 Samipeni Finau this week but there is a new centre combination in Rameka Poihipi and Daniel Rona, with All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown dropping out of the squad altogether. The Blues, meanwhile, control their own destiny. If the Canes win without a bonus point, they will only need to win themselves, as they hold a huge for and against lead over the Wellington-based franchise. Vern Cotter has named an imposing starting side with plenty of quality on the bench, too. This game looms as another all-Kiwi cracker, where the hosts might just hold the edge.
Tip: Blues by 2.
Western Force vs.
Brumbies
HBF Park, Perth, 7:35pm [AEST]
Force: Kurtley Beale, George Poolman, Bayley Kuenzel, Hamish Stewart, Ronan Leahy, Max Burey, Nic White; Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams, Izack Rodda, Sam Carter, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon
Replacements: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink
Brumbies:Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamaita Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan; Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp
Replacements: Connal McInerney, Harry Vella, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Odds: [tab.com.au] Force $2.25, +3.5 $1.87; Brumbies $1.60, -3.5 $1.87
Verdict: The benefit of playing the final game of the regular season is you know exactly what is on the line in terms of the finals. For the Brumbies, they will be hoping that at least one of either the Hurricanes or Blues have been beaten, creating an opportunity for them to jump into the top two; the Force meanwhile will have been sweating on a Rebels win in Fiji. It may turn out that there is nothing for either team on the line, though the Brumbies will want to extend their five-game winning streak into the finals. Stephen Larkham has named a near full-strength side for that very reason, save for the absence of the injured James Slipper, while Rory Scott earns a rare start at No. 7 with Jahrome Brown missing out after a huge game last week. The Force, meanwhile, welcome back lock Sam Carter but there is no Ben Donaldson at No. 10, his place taken by Max Burey. After messing up their trip west last year, and with it their finals campaign, look for the Brumbies to produce a performance that reflects their current third place standing. The Force are a different team at home, but Donaldson's omission will sting.
Tip: Brumbies by 7.