Rugby: Super Seven vie for finals

The Chiefs' chances would be enhanced with the return of halfback Brendon Leonard from a sternum injury. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Buckle up troops, this could be a wild last qualifying ride for the Super 14 playoffs.

Seven sides are mathematically in the frame for this year's honours, with the only certainty that the formation and order of the final four will not be sorted until the last match on Sunday.

Assured qualifiers and series leaders, the Bulls, travel to play the Sharks in Durban in the 91st and last pool game, which will resolve the draw for the quartet looking to emulate the Crusaders' triumph last season.

The Chiefs will begin the shakedown for the semifinals when they are first on centre stage at Waikato Stadium on Friday against another contender, the Brumbies.

Victory for the Chiefs - or at worst just a bonus point - should qualify them for the semifinals because of their superior points differential. The Hurricanes should also make it, playing the injury-depleted Reds.

Those matches are split by the Eden Park clash between the Blues, who are out of the race, and the Crusaders, who are very much in the rumble to defend their crown.

They play on Saturday and by then, the Crusaders will be aware of how the chasing Brumbies and Waratahs have fared in their matches. All sorts of scenarios will then transpire until the final game in Durban.

If the Sharks enter that match knowing the Waratahs, Brumbies and Crusaders have all been beaten or only gained bonus points, a win against the Bulls will promote them into the semifinals.

The Bulls reached the competition lead at the weekend as the Hurricanes' run was halted by the Chiefs in a torrid arm-wrestle in trying conditions in Hamilton, while the Sharks were the only other casualty in the top septet.

Victory for the Chiefs was their first in five years against the Hurricanes. It was also their eighth win in nine matches - since their triple-loss streak to start the series - as they edged closer to confirming a semifinals berth to match their only previous appearance, in 2004.

Five-eighths Stephen Donald, who scored all his side's points, said the Chiefs were aware many people remained sceptical about the side's ability to take the title.

"I think everyone, in the back of their minds, think the Chiefs are still going to trip up. The boys are full of resolve. We want to prove the people wrong."

By Friday the Chiefs will have fully recovered from any recent jetlag and there is a chance halfback Brendon Leonard will be fit after his sternum injury.

Leonard's return to the side would add an extra dimension with his valuable skills.

The Brumbies will be desperate for their inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock to play.

Mortlock scored 12 points against the Blues to reach 994 and pass Andrew Mehrtens as the heaviest points scorer in Super rugby history, but he left the field on Saturday after taking a knock in a violent collision with Tony Woodcock.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend was buoyed by the extent and style of the 37-15 victory and a forecast that Wallaby hooker Stephen Moore will be fit after hamstring troubles.

"It's completely in our control now. If we beat the Chiefs next week with four tries and a bonus point and don't give them any points, then we finish ahead of them on the ladder."