It's back to the crystal ball to work out how the Super Rugby playoffs would play out if the season ended today (reminder - it doesn't end today):
Playoffs schedule
Crusaders (Seed 1) vs Rebels (Seed 8) Lions (Seed 2) vs Jaguares (Seed 7) Waratahs (seed 3) vs Highlanders (Seed 6) Hurricanes(Seed 4) vs Chiefs (Seed 5)
What's changed? Despite not playing, the Crusaders now hold a 13 point lead over the second placed Lions and are nine points ahead of the Hurricanes in the NZ Conference. The Rebels move down a spot into eighth and a potential trip to Christchurch. the Jaguares move up to seventh and would face the Lions.
- The Crusaders will secure top spot with a point against the Highlanders on Friday. The Highlanders could drop down to as far as eighth if the Jaguares (at Bulls) and the Rebels (at Reds) both secure big wins and the Highlanders leave Christchurch with nothing. . - Wins for the Chiefs (v Brumbies) and Hurricanes (v Blues) will likely secure either fourth or fifth spot for both teams and a playoff match-up between the two NZ sides. However they face each other in round 19, meaning back-to-back games against each other.
- The Lions' lead in the South African conference as shrunk to three points after loss to the Sharks. They now have the bye, meaning the Jaguares could take the conference lead if they beat the Bulls.
- The Waratahs face the Sunwolves in Sydney as they look to retain their lead in the Australian Conference. A win could see them move to second overall.
