Wild Prediction

They will make the playoffs [just]. The Blues might sneak in, perhaps at the expense of the Chiefs, who must get to grips with a new coach in Colin Cooper. They are again burdened by a difficult draw, with the Highlanders in Dunedin and the Chiefs in Auckland their first two fixtures, followed by a couple of tough ones in South Africa against the Lions and Stormers, but if they could pick up two wins out of four, and perhaps a losing bonus point or two, the Blues could be well in the hunt.