In Super Rugby, the top six places are the most important as they earn a place in the playoffs.
The winners of the three playoff matches earn a place in the semi-final.
Finishing as high within this top six as possible is also really important, as a place in the semi-finals is given to the team who are ranked highest, from the teams that lose their initial playoff round match.
Finishing first in the overall table, therefore, guarantees a place in the semi-finals, even if they lost their playoff match.
Crusaders vs Blues (5th vs 2nd)
The Blues and Crusaders have played 11 games with the rest of the top four, all having played one game fewer. A defeat for either side here would see them drop behind their competitors.
This game will be iconic as it is the first home game in the new One NZ stadium outside of the Super Round.
The Blues are two points behind the Hurricanes, and therefore, it could go to the top with a win. The Crusaders sit level with the Reds in fourth on 27 points, with a big gap up to the Chiefs in third.
Reds vs Chiefs (4th vs 3rd)
There are currently nine points between these two sides, having played the same number of games. The Reds are level on points with the Crusaders below them and could drop down as low as sixth with a loss.
For the Chiefs, the only way is up as they are two points behind the Blues, having played a game less and are only four points behind the Hurricanes in top spot, so could finish top after this round.
Highlanders vs Waratahs (9th vs 8th)
The Highlanders or the Waratahs have an outside chance of getting into the top six by the end of this game.
They are both level on points, although the Waratahs have played a game less. A win for them in particular would set them up in a good position, as they have played a game less than the three teams from fifth to seventh above them.
