Super Rugby Crunchtime

Few things open yet. A real possibility of 3 South African teams in the finals with the top 3 from the republic having 3 home games.

Chiefs really need to win to keep home advantage through the finals, while the Hurricanes are playing for a finals spot if other results go their way and could do some serious damage to NZ's title aspirations taking away a possible home advantage fianl from the Chiefs.

Brumbies have to get past a rejuvenated of sorts Blues who finally have some players back from injury.

Crusaders bogey team has often been the Force...but at home they should get through and most kiwis will be expecting them to lift their game as they traditionally do.

Bulls get the easiest ride through but need to make sure that doesn't come back to haunt them. The Lions may well feel they have as much riding on this as the Bulls. From Currie Cup champs to SuperXV chumps here at least is a chance to salvage some pride (and wreck the Bulls' season).

Sharks have a real threat in a derby of sorts vs the Cheetahs and could be sent spiralling out of the competition.

Reds have their traditional derby vs the Waratahs and will hoping the home advantage is enough to swing the ledger their way in a tough game to pick.

Most will be expecting the status quo with teams 3 to 6 which will mean home minor semis respectively for the Brumbies  and Crusaders vs the Sharks and Bulls. As always home advantage will have a huge bearinbg on the outcome of the finals but the republic teams are no longer the push over they once were away from home.

Personally hoping for the Chiefs to go all the way...be nice to have a 3rd different champion from NZ and the Chiefs have the experience (including the 2009 final thrashing received from the Bulls) and the players to take this through. If they are on their game their biggest threats come from within NZ...the Hurricanes threatening to derail the run to a home final and, the possibility of meeting the Crusaders somewhere along the line.