There are three rounds left in the Super Rugby season and the Hurricanes can confirm top spot on Friday night.
They'd need to lose their final three games and the Chiefs or Highlanders to win all three with bonus points to be denied a home semifinal.
However, the rest of the playoff positions are up for grabs.
The Waratahs and Stormers lead their conferences but just two and three points respectively while the Chiefs and Highlanders sit in the wildcard positions but play each other on Saturday. Both sides also have to face the Hurricanes in their final two games.
Here's how the playoffs would play out if the season ended today:
Qualifiers
(3) Stormers v (6) Brumbies, Cape Town
(4) Chiefs v (5) Highlanders, Hamilton
Semifinals
(1) Hurricanes v lowest ranked qualifier winner
(2) Waratahs v highest ranked qualifier winner
As it stands
1 - Hurricanes 57 pts (at Crusaders, v Highladers, at Chiefs)
2 - Waratahs 41 pts (at Lions, at Cheetahs, v Reds)
3 - Stormers 38 pts (v Cheetahs, v Lions, at Sharks)
4 - Chiefs 44 pts (at Highlanders, at Reds, v Hurricanes)
5 - Highlanders 43 pts (v Chiefs, at Hurricanes, at Blues)
6 - Brumbies 38 pts (v Bulls, at Force, v Crusaders)
***
7 - Lions 36 pts (v Waratahs, at Stormers, Bye)
8 - Bulls 35 pts (at Brumbies, at Rebels, v Cheetahs)
9 - Crusaders 31(v Hurricanes, at Blues, at Brumbies)
10 - Rebels 30 (at Sharks, v Bulls, v Force)
For all the latest Super Rugby stats go to:
nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre