WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
The prospect of all four New Zealand teams making the semifinals was still alive last night after the Hurricanes dispatched the Sharks to join the Highlanders in the final four. The make-up of the semifinals will be known this morning after the Crusaders took on the Lions, and Chiefs played the Stormers. Both matches were due to be played this early morning (NZT).
The eight teams who qualified for the playoffs were ranked 1-8. The conference winners were ranked 1-4 and wildcards 5-8.
The semifinals will be determined by the highest qualifier (Hurricanes) at the end of the regular season hosting the lowest-ranked team still in contention.
The next-highest qualifier will then host the second lowest-ranked side in the other semifinal.
Both games will be played next weekend.
The highest-ranked winner will host the Super Rugby final the following weekend.
If the New Zealand teams won, and that’s a big if given two teams were playing in the Republic, the semifinals would look like this: