The ACT Brumbies, Northern Bulls and Canterbury Crusaders face Super Rugby crunch games this weekend, while the below-strength NSW Waratahs embark on a crucial tour to South Africa.
Twice-winners Brumbies must continue their strong home record against the Bulls today after relinquishing the Australian conference lead to the Waratahs last weekend.
The Pretoria-based Bulls have not won in Canberra for eight years, but need to break through if they are to stay in contention for the top-six playoffs next month.
The seven-time champions Crusaders are walking the plank against the runaway championship leaders the Wellington Hurricanes in Nelson today.
The Crusaders are all but gone for this season, as they lie seven points outside the playoffs with just three regular-season games left. A loss to the Hurricanes means they will miss the finals for the first time since 2001.
The Waratahs face the playoffs chasing Golden Lions in Johannesburg tomorrow without suspended forwards Silatolu Latu and Will Skelton, pending appeals, and might lose their conference lead if they go under and the Brumbies win.
New Zealand rivals the Waikato Chiefs and Otago Highlanders also have a bit at stake when they go head-to-head in Invercargill tomorrow.
The Chiefs are one point ahead of the Highlanders in fourth and both outfits are looking to maintain their playoffs push ahead of the Brumbies, Lions and Bulls.
There is also pressure on the Western Stormers to win their South African derby against the Central Cheetahs in Cape Town and hold their South African conference top spot and with it a home final next month.
Prop forward Scott Sio is back from two months out with a knee injury for the Brumbies against the Bulls, while Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua is out for one more week with an ankle injury.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke named Jurgen Visser at fullback after he joined the squad this week in place of injured Jan Serfontein.
The Lions’ quest to make the playoffs has become a little tougher with hooker Robbie Coetzee missing the remaining regular-round games through suspension.
All Black center Ma’a Nonu is to earn his 123rd cap for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders, claiming the outright record for the most games from former midfield great Tana Umaga.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made seven changes with three players ruled out following head knocks — Whitelock, No. 8 Kieran Read and midfielder Ryan Crotty.
Richie McCaw is to take over as captain, while fellow All Black Dan Carter is to start at flyhalf.
In the weekend’s remaining games, the Coastal Sharks host the Rebels in Durban, while the Western Force face the Queensland Reds in Perth.
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