Tight scramble in race for last playoff spot

By WYNNE GRAY

Was the rugby glass half-full or half-empty after the latest Super 12 results?

It was one of those sort of introspective weekends as four New Zealand sides lost, though three made some gains in the race for the semifinals.

With the leading trio, the Sharks, Brumbies and Cats, winning again there looks like being a monumental seven-team scramble for the last playoff position.

Just the Easter bunnies, the Blues and the Bulls, can pack their kit and think about next season.

The Sharks are in the lead and look safe already, and it would be a monumental shock if the Brumbies stalled.

Only the Cats, after their historic first overseas win, against the Blues, appear vulnerable, but they should scrape in because their last game is at home against the troubled Bulls.

So the Kiwi quartet are hanging in for that fourth place, which the Waratahs relinquished after several weeks when they were torpedoed by the Brumbies.

The Hurricanes were the only New Zealand victors, continuing their charge for a final-four place after their dodgy start to the competition.

They beat the Highlanders 35-33 in a gripping game in Napier, but missed a bonus point, a failure which when added to a similar slip against the Cats, could yet cost them a semifinal shot.

But at least the Hurricanes have learned how to win and after a bye this week when some of their injured can get repairs, they will fancy an unbroken trip to the end of the series against the Waratahs, Chiefs and Blues.

The Highlanders still could not strike a win away from home, but they did get two bonus points, which pushed them past the ailing Waratahs and into fourth on the table.

To stay there they must push on in Friday's home game against the Brumbies, but may have to do without skipper Anton Oliver, who has damaged his right knee.

The Chiefs were finally beaten at home, but are still in touch with the leading group because, like fellow victims the Crusaders, they have played a game less than all the sides in front of them.

The Chiefs go to South Africa today with some serious player disruptions, while the defending champions return from the Republic after being sconned 28-49 by an efficient Stormers side.

In Cape Town, the Crusaders were outmuscled at the breakdowns, gave away an intercept and conceded another try from a quick throw in - allowances which were too much for the visitors to overcome against a Stormers side strong in all areas of the game.

If the champions are to defend their title they have to beat the Cats, Sharks, Waratahs and Highlanders in the run home and grab a few bonus points as well. Whether the Crusaders go back to All Black five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens for this crunch stretch will be a fascinating prelude to the next round.