It is going to be some fortnight leading into the Super 14 finals. The suspense surrounding the champion Crusaders and hard-charging Chiefs will be replaced by apprehension if they have to pack up again and return to South Africa for those playoffs.
Both arrive home today after their trips to the Republic, with the Crusaders most at risk of missing out on the playoffs.
They will need other results to fall their way and victories of their own - probably with bonus points - against the Reds and Blues if they are to continue their valiant search for a finals berth.
One win for the Chiefs against either the Hurricanes or Brumbies may be enough to claim home advantage as one of the top two qualifiers in the semifinals.
Otherwise, it could be a repeat longhaul trip to South Africa to face the Bulls or Sharks.
If the finishing order stays as it is - Hurricanes, Chiefs, Bulls, Sharks - the New Zealand franchises and the All Blacks coaching staff will be delighted that all the travel will have to be undertaken by the South African sides.
It is a quirk of the draw that the two top sides play each other this week in Hamilton while the third- and fourth-placed teams do battle in Durban in the final week of qualifying.
After the last round, there is no let-up in the squeeze at the top of the table. Nine points separate the Hurricanes in first place and the Force, who are in ninth place.
Most New Zealand eyes will be on the duel between the pace-setting Hurricanes and Chiefs. The 'Canes have the advantage of more rest than their foes and a far less arduous journey to the match in Hamilton on Saturday.
The night before, the Crusaders can make another strong statement that they have not relinquished their title hopes, that this campaign is not going to join the three other seasons when they failed to make the playoffs.
The champions have undertaken the marathon journey back from South Africa but have the juicy prospect of hosting the Reds, who have been further decimated by injuries. Before and during their belting from the Brumbies, the Reds lost six to injury.
Berrick Barnes injured his groin in the warm-ups and had to be replaced, Will Genia ruptured a finger tendon, James Horwill hurt an ankle, Digby Ioane hurt a shoulder, while Peter Hynes and Mark McLinden both damaged knees.
If the Crusaders complete a bonus point victory this week, they will probably need to beat the Blues at Eden Park in the final round if they are to squeak into the playoffs.
Even without their star wings Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu, the Chiefs are playing a compelling brand of rugby and pushing towards that playoff berth which has eluded them every season, except 2004.
Current coach Ian Foster was also in charge that season, before they lost to the eventual champion Brumbies.
It is perhaps a sign of selection attrition and the attraction of overseas offers that only two players involved that year, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Sione Laukai, are still playing for the Chiefs. Lock Keith Robinson remains but in an off-field role.
In that same season, Colin Cooper was the Hurricanes coach as they finished second-last in the series, with Hosea Gear, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Piri Weepu, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, Rodney So'oialo and Neemia Tialata all suiting up again for the franchise this year.
Mathematicians will offer the Blues the hope of qualifying with bonus-point wins against the Brumbies and Crusaders and the help of other results.
They will have to tackle that unlikely scenario without lock Ali Williams, who has re-injured his achilles tendon and will have a further scan today on the injury. Flanker Justin Collins and tighthead prop John Afoa are expected to return to action.
WHO THEY FACE
Last games for playoff contenders:
1. HURRICANES: Chiefs (away), Reds (a).
2. CHIEFS: Hurricanes (home), Brumbies (h).
3. BULLS: Cheetahs (h), Sharks (a).
4. SHARKS: Waratahs (h), Bulls (h).
5. WARATAHS: Sharks (a), Lions (a).
6. CRUSADERS: Reds (h), Blues (a).
7. BRUMBIES: Blues (h), Chiefs (a).
8. BLUES: Brumbies (a), Crusaders (h).
9. FORCE:Stormers (a), Highlanders (h).
Rugby: Extended squeeze at top builds suspense
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.