Super Rugby Pacific playoff race hots up

Even with a format that allows eight teams postseason play, the race for the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs is heating up heading into round 12 this weekend, no more so than in Christchurch where the Canterbury Crusaders take on the Auckland Blues.

Runaway leaders Waikato Chiefs will be strong favourites to extend their 10-match winning streak against the Queensland Reds in New Plymouth on Friday and at least maintain their nine-point advantage at the top of the standings.

Tomorrow’s blockbuster clash between the most successful teams from New Zealand’s two major islands is therefore more about the tussle for a top-four spot and the home advantage for the playoff quarterfinals that goes with it.

Reigning champions Crusaders prevailed 34-28 when the titans collided at Auckland’s Eden Park earlier in the season, but the Blues secured a rare win in Christchurch in the corresponding fixture in 2022.

“The stats suggest we’re going to see an exciting game of rugby as this playoff race starts to get hot,” Blues coach Leon McDonald said.

“All teams in that top-four mix know the value of home advantage in the first week of the playoffs.

“A win on Saturday will keep us right in the mix for that top four.”

The Blues have brought back hooker Ricky Riccitelli, lock Patrick Tuipulotu and number eight Hoskins Sotutu to bolster their pack after a weakened side earned victory over Moana Pasifika by the skin of their teeth last week.

In the backline, Beauden Barrett returns to flyhalf to go head-to-head with his rival for the All Blacks playmaker role, Richie Mounga.

All Black Will Jordan was in fine touch for the Crusaders last week when he returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and will again start at fullback.

The Blues have a one-point lead over the Crusaders going into the clash, but trail secondplaced Australia’s ACT Brumbies by two points.

The Brumbies have made just one change to their starting side to face the weakest of the New Zealand teams this season, the Otago Highlanders, in the final match of the round in Canberra on Sunday.

In the New Zealand capital, fifth-placed Wellington Hurricanes will be keen to get back to winning ways and stay in the race for the top four with a victory over Moana Pasifika tomorrow, having been stunned by Fijian Drua last week.

The Hurricanes have an 11-point lead over the sixthplaced New South Wales Waratahs, who lead the seven teams in the congested bottom half of the table effectively competing for three playoff spots over the last four rounds of the regular season.

The Waratahs have won their last two matches after a poor start to the season, but face a test of their revival in Sydney tomorrow against a solid Melbourne Rebels outfit.

The Drua face a journey of more than 6,000km from Suva to Perth to face the Western Force today as they look to cement their place in the top eight.