This weekend is the final round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 2021 and there are a number of crucial matches that will decide who contests the final next weekend.
The Crusaders are still in danger of missing out on their first final since Scott Robinson took charge of the Christchurch side.
The Saders play the Melbourne Rebels in Sydney and must win whilst also hoping that other results go their way.
The Blues lead the standings on 19 points but have to win at Eden Park against the Western Force if they want to progress.
Otago’s Highlanders are second but level on points with the Crusaders in third, who trail on points difference.
The Landers will have it all to do versus a strong Brumbies side in Canberra if they are to make the final.
The Hurricanes are also in with a chance of racing the final, but they need to win against the Queensland Reds and hope other results go their way too.
At the other end of the standings, the NSW Waratahs face a must-win match against the Chiefs.
If NSW loses, they will have gone through the entire 2021 season without a win.
None of the Australian teams can reach the final, only the Brumbies and Reds have won a game in the Trans-Tasman tournament.
Hurricanes v Queensland Reds Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Preview
The Hurricanes have played the Queensland Reds 22 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Hurricanes have won 16 matches and lost six times.
The Hurricanes’ 16 wins out of 22 matches gives them a record of winning 73% of their matches against the Reds regardless of venue.
The average score when the Canes play Queensland is Hurricanes 28 Reds 22.
This weekend, the game will be played at home for the Hurricanes, they have had home advantage in 12 of the 22 matches.
In those 12 Hurricanes home matches, they have won 10 matches and lost two.
The average score when the Hurricanes play QLD at home is Hurricanes 31 Reds 24.
The Hurricanes have won the last five meetings between these teams.
The Bookies have given the Reds a 13 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Hurricanes 28 Reds 22.
Last five results
2014-04-26 Hurricanes 35 – 21 Queensland Reds
2015-04-26 Queensland Reds Hurricanes 19 – 35 Hurricanes
2016-05-14 Hurricanes 29 – 14 Queensland Reds
2017-04-01 Queensland Reds Hurricanes 15 – 34 Hurricanes
2018-05-18 Hurricanes 38 – 34 Queensland Reds
Hurricanes overall record against the Queensland Reds
Played 22, won 16, lost 6, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Hurricanes v Queensland Reds
Date: Friday 11 June
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Mabey
Assistant Ref 2: Dan Waenga
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Teams
Hurricanes
Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Scott Scrafton, Reed Prinsep, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea (c), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett
Replacements: Dane Coles, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Luke Campbell, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayesi
Queensland Reds
Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Bryce Hegarty, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas, Hudson Creighton, Moses Sorovi
Brumbies v Highlanders Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Preview
The Brumbies have played the Highlanders 24 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Brumbies have won 12 matches and lost 12 times.
The Brumbies’ 12 wins out of 12 matches gives them a record of winning 50% of their matches against the Highlanders regardless of venue.
The average score when the Brumbies play the Highlanders is Brumbies 25 Highlanders 21.
This weekend, the match will be played at home for the Brumbies, they have had home advantage in 13 of the 24 matches.
In those 13 ACT home games, they have won 8 matches and lost 5.
The average score when the Brumbies play the Landers at home is Brumbies 30 Highlanders 20.
The Highlanders have won the last five meetings between these teams. The last Brumbies victory in these matches was in 2015.
Average score: Brumbies 25 Highlanders 21.
Last five results
2016-04-30 Highlanders 23 – 10 Brumbies
2016-07-22 Brumbies 9 – 15 Highlanders
2017-03-25 Brumbies 13 – 18 Highlanders
2018-04-14 Highlanders 43 – 17 Brumbies
2020-02-15 Brumbies 22 – 23 Highlanders
Brumbies overall record against the Highlanders
Played 24, won 12, lost 12, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Brumbies v Highlanders
Date: Friday 11 June
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off local: 19:45
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2: Reuben Keane
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Brumbies
Scott Sio, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Henry Stowers, Nic White, Bayley Kuenzle, Mack Hansen, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Solomone Kata
Highlanders
Ethan De Groot, Ash Dixon (co-c), Siate Tokolahi, Bryn Evans, Pari Pari Parkinson, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon, Kazuki Himeno, Aaron Smith (co-c), Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Scott Gregory, Michael Collins, Sio Tomkinson, Josh Ioane
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Melbourne Rebels v Crusaders Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Preview
The Melbourne Rebels have played the Crusaders eight times in Super Rugby since 2012, the Rebels have won twice and lost six times.
The Rebels’ two wins out of eight matches give them a record of winning 25% of their matches against the Crusaders regardless of venue.
The average score when the Rebels play the Crusaders is Rebels 19 Crusaders 41.
This weekend, the game will be played at home for the Rebels, they have had home advantage in four of the eight matches.
In those four Rebels home matches, they have won one match and lost three.
The average score when the Rebels play the Saders at home is Rebels 19 Crusaders 35.
The Crusaders have won four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Rebels 19 Crusaders 41
Last five results
2015-02-13 Crusaders Rebels 10 – 20 Rebels
2016-07-09 Crusaders Rebels 85 – 26 Crusaders
2017-05-27 Rebels Crusaders 19 – 41 Crusaders
2018-05-04 Rebels Crusaders 10 – 55 Crusaders
2019-06-08 Crusaders Rebels 66 – 0 Crusaders
Melbourne Rebels overall record against the Crusaders
Played 8, won 2, lost 6, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Melbourne Rebels v Crusaders
Date: Saturday 12 June
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Kick-Off local: 14:35
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2: Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
Cameron Orr, Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea, Michael Wells (c), Richard Hardwick, Isi Naisarani, Joe Powell, Carter Gordon, Marika Koroibete, Glen Vaihu, Andrew Kellaway, Frank Lomani, George Worth
Replacements: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Rhys Van Neck, Steve Cummins, Ross Haylett-Petty, James Tuttle, Young Tonumaipea, Ilikena Vudogo
Crusaders
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Michael Alaalatoa, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Ethan Blackadder, Sione Havili Talitui, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Replacements: Nathan Vella, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele
Blues v Western Force Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Preview
The Blues have played the Western Force 11 times in Super Rugby since 2006, the Blues have won nine times and lost once.
The Blues’ nine wins out of 11 matches give them a record of winning 81% of their matches against the Western Force regardless of venue.
The average score when the Blues play the Western Force is Blues 29 Western Force 16.
This weekend, the match will be played at home for the Blues, they have had home advantage in six of the 11 matches.
In those six Blues home matches, they have won five matches and lost once.
When the Blues play the Western Force at home, the average score is Blues 32 Western Force 17.
The Blues have won the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Blues 29 Western Force 16.
Last five results
2012-07-07 Blues 32 – 9 Western Force
2014-06-28 Western Force 14 – 40 Blues
2015-05-02 Blues 41 – 24 Western Force
2016-05-21 Western Force 13 – 17 Blues
2017-04-01 Blues 24 – 15 Western Force
Blues overall record against the Western Force
Played 11, won 9, lost 1, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Blues v Western Force
Date: Saturday 12 June
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2: Angus Mabey
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
Teams
Blues
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, Mark Telea, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Ray Niula, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam
Western Force
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Ollie Callan, Ian Prior, Jake McIntyre, Jordan Olowofela, Kyle Godwin (c), Tevita Kuridrani, Richard Kahui, Jake Strachan
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Angus Warner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Michael McDonald, Domingo Miotti, Rob Kearney
Waratahs v Chiefs Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Preview
The NSW Waratahs have played the Chiefs 23 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Waratahs have won 13 matches and lost 10 times.
The Waratahs’ 13 wins out of 23 matches give them a record of winning 57% of their matches against the Chiefs regardless of venue.
The average score when the Tahs play the Chiefs is Waratahs 28 Chiefs 26.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Waratahs and they have had home advantage in 11 of the 23 matches.
In those 11 New South Wales home matches, they have won eight matches and lost three.
The average score when NSW plays the Chiefs at home is Waratahs 27 Chiefs 23.
The Chiefs have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Waratahs 28 Chiefs 26.
Last five results
2014-05-31 Chiefs 17 – 33 NSW Waratahs
2016-05-27 NSW Waratahs 45 – 25 Chiefs
2017-06-03 Chiefs 46 – 31 NSW Waratahs
2018-05-26 Chiefs 39 – 27 NSW Waratahs
2020-03-06 NSW Waratahs 14 – 51 Chiefs
Waratahs overall record against the Chiefs
Played 23, won 13, lost 10, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Waratahs v Chiefs
Date: Saturday 12 June
Venue: Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Kick-Off local: 19:45
Referee: Jordan way
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2: Reuben Keane
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Waratahs
Andrew Tuala, Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Whetton, Lachie Swinton, Jack Dempsey, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome (c), Mark Nawaqanitawase
Replacements: Robbie Abel, Pek Cowan, Chris Talakai, Sam Caird, Jeremy Williams, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed
Chiefs
Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Angus Ta’avao, Zane Kapeli, Tupou Vaa’i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (c), Bryn Gatland, Sean Wainui, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson, Kaleb Trask
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Viliami Taulani, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Chase Tiatia
