Seven teams jostling for pride of place in Super Rugby semis, how are they shaping up?

THE stage is set for a gripping conclusion to the regular Super Rugby season, so how are the seven teams jostling for playoff spots shaping up?

SPORT- Western Force v Brumbies at nib Stadium, Perth PICTURED - Brumbies flyhalf Zac Holmes marks the ball despite the efforts of Western Force's Nick Cummins

THE stage is set for a gripping conclusion to the regular Super Rugby season, so how are the seven teams jostling for playoff spots shaping up?

With the Waratahs having already wrapped up first place we’ve taken a look at the other seven sides who are hoping to win a place in the top six.

The only other certainties ahead of this weekend’s final round are that the Sharks have already secured the NZ conference (and therefore can finish no lower than third) and the Crusaders cannot finish any lower than fourth.

BLUES (v Chiefs, Friday night)

Key ins/outs: Captain Luke Braid (shoulder) and prop Tony Woodcock (shoulder) are two massive losses for the Auckland-based outfit.

Earlier this year: A 32-20 loss to the Chiefs at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth in Round 13 ended a two-game winning streak for the Blues and stretched their drought on the road to 13 games. They started the match in the right frame, taking the lead through winger Lolagi Visinia’s try but were unable to match the power and pace of the Chiefs who also set up a defensive wall to deny the Blues a losing bonus point late in the match.

Last time out: The Blues had a red-hot crack at upstaging the conference-leading Crusaders in Christchurch but came up just short, falling 21-13 at AMI Stadium. John Kirwan’s side went into half-time up 13-11 and still held that scoreline after 65 minutes. But they couldn’t hold on as a Dan Carter penalty and Nemani Nadolo’s second try guided the home side to victory.

Question mark: Points. The Blues need to beat the Chiefs by at least 38 to snatch sixth spot on the ladder from the Hurricanes, who have a superior points differential. A victory at their Eden Park fortress would certainly not surprise, but securing that margin against a fired-up Chiefs side looking to keep its title defence alive looks a stretch.

Rating: Have lost two key players and need to beat the back-to-back champions by nearly 40 points. Good luck. 3/10

CHIEFS (v Blues, Friday night)

Key ins/outs: In what is surely a record for the Chiefs in 2014, they’ve made just one change to their starting XV – Bundee Aki replaces the injured Charlie Ngatai (shoulder) at inside centre. Hooker Nathan Harris and outside back Dwayne Sweeney come on to the bench.

Earlier this year: A two-try performance from barnstorming prop Ben Tameifuna set the tone in the 32-20 victory that saw the Chiefs remain (then) top of the New Zealand conference. Further five-pointers from backs Tim Nanai-Williams and Tom Marshall secured a four-try bonus point and sounded a warning to the Super Rugby competition that the defending champions – emerging from a mid-season slump - were far from a spent force in 2014.

Last time out : The Chiefs kept their season alive with an impressive 24-16 triumph against the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium. Billed as a battle between All Blacks No.10s Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett it was the Chiefs man who came out top with 14 points in a commanding performance.

Question mark: Consistency. Since opening the season with three wins on the trot, the Chiefs have struggled to string strong performances together. They’ve since notched successive wins on just one occasion (round 12-13 over the Lions and Blues), thanks largely to a lengthy injury list and coach Dave Rennie’s propensity to tinker with his line-up. They’ve made just the one change this week though and will be hoping to back up last week’s win over the Hurricanes with another strong outing so that they can enter the finals campaign with some much-needed momentum.

Rating: Have beaten the Blues in their past six meetings, and have the class and experience to become the first visiting team to win at Eden Park in 2014. 6.5//10

BRUMBIES (v Force, Friday night)

Key ins/outs : The Brumbies are set to be boosted by the return of Wallabies Matt Toomua, Sam Carter, Pat McCabe and Joe Tomane while a fit Josh Mann-Rea is a welcome sight after the ACT side were forced to play Ruaidhri Murphy at hooker against the Waratahs.

Carter’s return is of particular significance with the lock originally not expected to return until the finals after picking up an ankle injury on his Test debut in Brisbane.

Sam Carter is a likely started at lock against the Force.

Earlier this year: The Brumbies travelled across the Nullabor and blew the Force off the paddock in the first 20 minutes before eventually winning 27-14. A 23-minute, three-try surge killed off the hosts before half-time with the Force only adding some respectability to the scoreline with two tries in the last eight minutes.

Last time out: Rocked by a swag of injuries, the Brumbies were thumped 39-8 by the Waratahs in Sydney two weeks ago. Thankfully they had the round 18 bye which gave the returning Wallabies an extra week’s recuperation ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Force.

Question mark: What is with the Brumbies and final rounds? Incredibly the two-time champions haven’t tasted victory in the last round of the regular season since 2007. That horror run includes their inglorious capitulation to the Blues at home in 2012 which cost them a playoffs spot and coincidentally, a 21-15 defeat to the Force in Perth last year.

Rating: They’ve won just one of their last four and seem to be limping to the finish line however the impact of the Toomua and co can’t be understated. 7/10.

FORCE (v Brumbies)

Key ins/outs: It’s mixed news in the west with Kiwi Alby Mathewson set to return for Friday’s night’s trip to Canberra but his regular halves partner Sias Ebersohn looks to be an unlikely starter. Centre Marcel Brache trained on Tuesday after picking up a nasty cut in the 10-point win over the Reds.

Hugh McMeniman will not play against the Brumbies after he received a one-week ban for kneeing Reds No.10 Ben Lucas.

Earlier this year: It’s hard to find too many positives in the 27-13 defeat the Force suffered to the Brumbies back in February but maybe it’s exactly that – a lot has changed in the last four and a half months. One lesson that coach Michael Foley surely will have rammed home this week is the need to avoid the slow start.

Alby Mathewson will be a huge inclusion for the Force.

Last time out: The Force looked set for a mammoth victory over the Reds last weekend after skipping out to an early 17-3 lead. But the sin-binning of Hugh McMeniman saw a momentum shift to the Reds with the visitors later locking up the scores at 20-all with 10 minutes to play. A Jayden Hayward penalty and Nathan Charles try saw the Force bounce back and sneak home with a 10-point win.

Question mark: Experience. Having never been in contention for the playoffs going into the final round of the season Friday night’s clash represents the unknown for Michael Foley’s side. How will the Force handle the pressure? Can they forget the semi-finals for 80 minutes and concentrate on first defeating the Brumbies? Skipper Matt Hodgson faces a huge task in settling his charges, and ensuring they execute their game plan.

Rating: Three wins on the road in 2014 suggest the Force have the game to upset the Brumbies while a couple of losing bonus points may also be enough to see them extend their season. 5/10

CRUSADERS (v Highlanders, Saturday night)

Key ins/outs: Richie McCaw will again be missing after coach Todd Blackadder ruled out rushing the All Blacks captain back from a rib injury. Lock Sam Whitelock (calf) is a strong chance of returning while Colin Slade is expected to be passed fit after being left dazed by an attempted tackle on Ma’a Nonu last round.

Earlier this year: The Crusaders and Highlanders played out one of the games of the season, an eight-try, 64-point thriller in Dunedin back in round 15. The match had everything, including the rare sight of McCaw being shown a yellow card, but it was the Cantabrians who held on to clinch the south island derby – just, 32-30.

Last time out: Two tries from Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo lifted the Crusaders to a 21-13 win over the Blues in Christchurch. Dan Carter made his first start of the season but played in the unfamiliar No.12 jersey as Colin Slade was retained at flyhalf.

Dan Carter looks set to remain at inside centre again this week.

Question mark: Will the real Crusaders please stand up? The seven-time champions have looked threatening as the Super Rugby season reaches the closing stages, but doubts still remain about their title credentials. They were poised to put the Blues to the sword last weekend but couldn’t quite shake them and will want to put the Highlanders away much earlier to give themselves the best chance of sealing second spot on the ladder.

Rating: A healthy win will all but secure a top-two finish and the all-important week off, followed by a home semi-final. Carter, with a full game under his belt, will be keen to step up another gear as the Crusaders prepare for yet another title push. 8.5/10.

HIGHLANDERS (v Crusaders, Saturday night)

Key ins/outs: They’ve yet to name their team but star fullback Ben Smith has to be a huge doubt after being hospitalised in Sydney with a leg infection following Sunday’s loss to the Waratahs. Hooker Brayden Mitchell (concussion) is also in doubt.

Earlier this year: How different things might have been if winger Patrick Osborne had managed to ground the ball on the tryline – and not simultaneously on the touchline as he did with a desperate dive for the corner after the full-time hooter. The Highlanders were left to rue the TMO’s no-try call that ended what would have been one of the great comeback wins in Super Rugby history.

Ben Smith is battling a leg infection.

Last time out: An 11-9 half-time scoreline suggests the Highlanders were right in their match away to the Waratahs last Sunday, but in truth they were incredibly fortunate to be that close. Israel Folau’s try straight after the break got the Tahs rolling and the Highlanders were blown off the park 44-16.

Question mark: Are they too reliant on their big three – Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa? The Waratahs shut down young gun Fekitoa last week and their attack never got into gear. The Crusaders have already signalled their intentions to do the same.

Rating: The potential absence of Ben Smith, combined with a shocking recent record in Christchurch means the Highlanders are right up against it. They’ll be looking for at least a bonus point to all-but ensure they hold on to a top-six spot. 5/10

SHARKS (v Stormers, Sunday morning AEST)

Key ins/outs: In what would arguably be the biggest inclusion of the round, Springboks playmaker Pat Lambie could be a shock starter for the Sharks this weekend. Originally thought to be out for the season, Lambie has seemingly recovered from a bicep injury and is only awaiting a final clearance. Coach Jake White is also sweating on the fitness of prop Tendai Mtawarira and centre Paul Jordaan.

Patrick Lambie just needs a final clearance to line up against the Stormers.

Earlier this year: As is the case with the modern Super Rugby draw, the Sharks will face off with the Stormers for the second time in a short period. The two sides met in round 16 – the final week before the international break – with the Stormers snatching a last-gasp 21-19 win with a drop goal after the siren.

Last time out: It was always going to be a difficult finish to the season for the RSA conference winners and last weekend’s 27-20 loss to the Cheetahs was a massive wake-up call. The Durban side can finish no lower than third regardless of the result in Cape Town but three straight defeats would be a disastrous way to enter the playoffs.

Question mark: Attitude. What has gone wrong with the Sharks? There have been a few internal rumblings throughout the season with a few players reportedly butting heads with coach Jake White. It all seems to have gone awry since they returned from their Australasian tour with three wins out of four. They need to rediscover their early-season form this weekend.

Rating: They’re home and hosed for the semis but the Sharks really need a win to suggest they can do more than just make up the numbers in the playoffs. 8/10

*The Hurricanes are also in contention but have the bye and are relying purely on other results going their way.

Originally published as Seven teams jostling for pride of place in Super Rugby semis, how are they shaping up?