There are just two rounds of regular season Super rugby AU remaining and three rounds in Super rugby Aotearoa left to play.
Both tournaments have their finals on Saturday 8 May but they have different qualifying processes.
In Australia the Reds, who have a bye this weekend, have a strong lead over the Brumbies while in New Zealand the Crusaders are in charge of the standings. Both teams are certain to appear in the finals given their leads.
The Brumbies are all set to feature in the Super rugby AU playoff round but in New Zealand, the race is much closer as the Blues, Chiefs and Highlanders could all qualify.
After this weekend’s Super rugby we could have a more defined idea of who will still in contention.
Western Force vs NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AU Preview
The Western Force have played the NSW Waratahs 21 times in Super rugby since 2006 and the Western Force have won 7 matches, lost 13 times and drawn once.
The Western Force 7 wins out of 21 matches gives them a record of winning 33% of their matches against the NSW Waratahs regardless of venue.
The average score when the Western Force play the NSW Waratahs is : Western Force 16 NSW Waratahs 22.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Western Force and they have had home advantage in 11 of the 21 matches.
In those 11 Western Force home matches they have won 3 matches and lost 8.
The average score when the Western Force play the NSW Waratahs at home is : Western Force 15 NSW Waratahs 24.
The Force have won two of the last five meetings between these teams.
The Bookies have given the Waratahs a 7 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Western Force 16 NSW Waratahs 22.
Last five results 2017-02-25 NSW Waratahs 19 – 13 Western Force
2017-07-15 Western Force 40 – 11 NSW Waratahs
2020-07-11 NSW Waratahs 23 – 14 Western Force
2020-08-14 Western Force 8 – 28 NSW Waratahs
2021-03-05 NSW Waratahs 16 – 20 Western Force
Western Force overall record against the NSW Waratahs
Played 21, won 7, lost 13, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match : Western Force v NSW Waratahs
Date : Saturday 17 April
Venue : HBF Park, Perth
Kick Off local: 17:45
Referee: Amy Perrett
Assistant Ref 1: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2:Matthew Kellahan
TMO : James Leckie
Teams
Western Force
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, Jordan Olowofela, Kyle Godwin (c), Tevita Kuridrani, Richard Kahui, Jack McGregor
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ian Prior, Grason Makara, Jake Strachan
NSW Waratahs
Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Max Douglas, Lachlan Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Ramm, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks
Replacements: Tom Horton, Te Tera Faulkner, Darcy Breen, Sam Caird, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed
Melbourne Rebels v Brumbies Super Rugby AU Preview
The Melbourne Rebels have played the Brumbies 21 times in Super rugby since 2011 and the Melbourne Rebels have won 9 matches, lost 12 times and drawn none.
The Melbourne Rebels 9 wins out of 21 matches gives them a record of winning 43% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of venue.
The average score when the Melbourne Rebels play the Brumbies is : Melbourne Rebels 21 Brumbies 26.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Melbourne Rebels and they have had home advantage in 10 of the 21 matches.
In those 10 Melbourne Rebels home matches they have won 6 matches and lost 4.
The average score when the Melbourne Rebels play the Brumbies at home is : Melbourne Rebels 24 Brumbies 22.
The Brumbies have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Melbourne Rebels 21 Brumbies 26.
Last five results
2019-03-08 Rebels 29 – 26 Brumbies
2020-02-07 Brumbies 39 – 26 Rebels
2020-07-04 Brumbies 31 – 23 Rebels
2020-08-07 Rebels 30 – 12 Brumbies
2021-03-06 Brumbies 27 – 24 Rebels
Melbourne Rebels overall record against the Brumbies
Played 21, won 9, lost 12, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match : Melbourne Rebels v Brumbies
Date : Sunday 18 April
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 14:00
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2: Reuben Keane
TMO : Brett Cronan
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
Matt Gibbon, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Campbell Magnay, Stacey Ili, Frank Lomani, Tom Pincus
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Cameron Orr, Lucio Sordoni, Ross Haylett-Petty, Isi Naisarani, Brad Wilkin, James Tuttle, Lewis Holland, Glen Vaihu (two to omit)
Brumbies
Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, James Tucker, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Bayley Kuenzle, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Will Miller, Nic White, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen
Highlanders v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Highlanders have played the Blues 36 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Highlanders have won 20 matches, lost 16 times and drawn none.
The Highlanders’ 20 wins out of 36 matches gives them a record of winning 56% of their matches against the Blues regardless of venue.
The average score when the Highlanders play the Blues is : Highlanders 26 Blues 23.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Highlanders and they have had home advantage in 19 of the 36 matches.
In those 19 Highlanders’ home matches, they have won 14 matches and lost 5.
The average score when the Highlanders play the Blues at home is : Highlanders 29 Blues 22.
The Blues have won four of the last five meetings between these teams – including the last three.
Average score: Highlanders 26 Blues 23.
Last five results
2019-03-22 Blues 33 – 26 Highlanders
2019-04-20 Highlanders 24 – 12 Blues
2020-06-27 Blues 27 – 24 Highlanders
2020-08-02 Highlanders 21 – 32 Blues
2021-03-14 Blues 39 – 17 Highlanders
Highlanders overall record against the Blues
Played 36, won 20, lost 16, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match : Highlanders v Blues
Date : Friday 16 April
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:05
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Ben O’Keeffe
Teams
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Ash Dixon (co-c), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Billy Harmon, 8. Kazuki Himeno, 9. Aaron Smith (co-c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Patelesio Tomkinson, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Josh Ioane
Replacements:16. Liam Coltman, 17. Ethan de Groot, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Michael Collins, 23. James Lentjes
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Luteru Tolai, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Tom Robinson (c), 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Otere Black, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Replacements: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Josh Goodhue, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Bryce Heem
Chiefs v Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Chiefs have played the Crusaders 39 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Chiefs have won 15 matches, lost 24 times and drawn none.
The Chiefs 15 wins out of 39 matches gives them a record of winning 38% of their matches against the Crusaders regardless of venue.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Crusaders is : Chiefs 21 Crusaders 27.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Chiefs and they have had home advantage in 21 of the 39 matches.
In those 21 Chiefs home matches they have won 10 matches and lost 11.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Crusaders at home is : Chiefs 23 Crusaders 24.
The Crusaders have won three of the last five meetings between these teams including the last three in a row.
Average score: Chiefs 21 Crusaders 27.
Last five results
2019-06-01 Chiefs 40 – 27 Crusaders
2020-02-08 Chiefs 25 – 15 Crusaders
2020-06-28 Crusaders 18 – 13 Chiefs
2020-08-01 Chiefs 19 – 32 Crusaders
2021-03-13 Crusaders 39 – 17 Chiefs
Chiefs overall record against the Crusaders
Played 39, won 15, lost 24, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match : Chiefs v Crusaders
Date : Saturday 17 April
Venue : FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick Off local: 19:05
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Ben O’Keeffe
Teams
Chiefs
Chase Tiatia, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Oliver Norris, Sione Mafileo, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Bryn Gatland, Sean Wainui
Crusaders
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Tom Sanders, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Isileli Tu’ungafasi, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Sione Havili Talitui, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele.
