And then there were eight.
That’s right, just eight teams remain in the race for the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific title.
All five of the New Zealand teams are still in the hunt as well as three Australian teams – the Brumbies, Reds and Waratahs.
The Blues finished on top of the regular season standings, so they have earned the benefit of playing against the lowest-ranked qualifying team, which is the Highlanders.
The Crusaders finished in second place, so they play the Queensland Reds, who finished second last in seventh place.
The Chiefs finished third and will play the NSW Waratahs while the Brumbies, who finished fourth, play the fifth-placed Hurricanes.
The top four teams benefit with home advantage in the quarter-finals.
The Crusaders play first this weekend on Friday, and then the Chiefs, Blues and Brumbies home matches will all be played on Saturday.
Crusaders v Reds Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final preview
The Bookies have given the Reds a 19 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Match Officials and details
Match: Crusaders (2) v QLD Reds (7)
Date: Friday, 3 June
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off local: 19:05
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 2: Angus Mabey
TMO: Glenn Newman
Teams
Crusaders
George Bower, Codie Taylor, Oli Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Faninga’anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge
Reds
Harry Hoopert, Matt Faessler, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Jordan Petaia, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Sef Fa’agase, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas, Hunter Paisami
Chiefs v Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final preview
Match Officials and details
Match: Chiefs (3) v NSW Waratahs (6)
Date: Saturday, 4 June
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off local: 16:35
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2: Dan Waenga
TMO: Chris Hart
Teams
Chiefs
Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Va’ai, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber (co-c), Bryn Gatland, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Emoni Narawa
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitch Brown, Xaiver Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Waratahs
Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
Replacements: Tom Horton, Paddy Ryan, Archer Holz, Hugh Sinclair, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Jamie Roberts
Blues v Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final preview
Match Officials and details
Match: Blues (1) v Highlanders (8)
Date: Saturday, 4 June
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off local: 19:05
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: James Leckie
Teams
Blues
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Stephen Perofeta
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan
Highlanders
Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryn Evans, Josh Dickson, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Aaron Smith (c), Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden Bachop
Replacements: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Denny Solomona
Brumbies v Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final preview
Match Officials and details
Match: Brumbies (4) v Hurricanes (5)
Date: Saturday, 4 June
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off local: 19:45
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
Teams
Brumbies
James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford
Hurricanes
Tevita Mafileo, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Blake Gibson, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby
Replacements: Asago Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Wes Goosen
