Super Rugby playoffs preview: Will all four Kiwi teams make the semis?

The Super Rugby playoffs are here, and yes, it’s not an ideal format.

There’s something not right about a loser of a finals match advancing, but like Bruce Hornsby and 2Pac said, that’s just the way it is, so let’s carry on.

Can the Brumbies or Reds become the first Aussie team to win a playoff match in New Zealand or will the Hurricanes and Chiefs send them packing?

And will the Crusaders keep their incredible unbeaten home playoff record going against a Blues team that’s being written-off?

Two teams are about to be knocked out, let’s have a look at who it might be.

HURRICANES v BRUMBIES | Wellington | Friday 7.05pm

This fixture will likely bring up PTSD for Hurricanes supporters.

In three of the past four years, the ‘Canes have been knocked out at this stage of the season by the Brumbies.

BUT, and it’s a big but, all those games were in Canberra while this one is in Wellington where it’s expected to be windy and rainy, classic capital conditions.

After resting heaps of players in the defeat to the Crusaders, the Hurricanes are at full strength, except for wing Fehi Fineanganofo and loose-forward Devon Flanders, who are due back next week.

The ‘Canes have been flying high all season with several players in career-best form such as props Xavier Numia and Pasilio Tosi, Japanese lock Warner Dearns, loose-forward Peter Lakai, inside backs Cam Roigard, Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett, as well as outsides Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo and Callum Harkin.

That’s bad news for a Brumbies team who are coming off a home loss to Moana Pasifika and are looking like a shell of a team that last won the comp in 2004.

Prediction: ‘Canes by 20

CRUSADERS v BLUES | Christchurch | Saturday 4.35pm

32-0 in home playoffs.

That’s an incredible stat for the Crusaders who are set to make it 33-0 if you look at the form of the Blues.

They’re on a three-game losing skid and they weren’t even close: a 16 point defeat to the Crusaders, 23 points to the ‘Canes, and 25 points to the Chiefs last week, who put 59 on the Blues with a weakened side.

Patrick Tuipulotu returns which is massive but Dalton Papali’i is still missing, as is Beauden Barrett, but the 144-test All Black hasn’t been in the best form anyway.

The Crusaders are missing three of their best props but that shouldn’t matter given the strength and the form of the rest of their line-up.

Captain David Havili, Sevu Reece, and Johnny McNicholl have been scintillating in the backs, while Jamie Hannah and Christian Lio-Willie have been bossing it up front.

There’s an enticing match-up in the seven jersey with former Nelson College and Tasman Mako teammates Anton Segner and Leicester Fainga’anuku going head-to-head.

They could soon be All Blacks teammates.

The Blues could still lose and live to fight another day, but just how much fight they have in them is debatable.

Prediction: Saders by 15

CHIEFS v REDS | Hamilton | Saturday 7.05pm

If any Australian team were to win a playoff game on New Zealand soil for the first time, it might just be the Reds, on paper at least.

They’re stacked with Wallabies like loose-forwards Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, and Harry Wilson and also inside-backs Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, and Filipo Daugunu.

But the Chiefs have Damian McKenzie back from concussion to light things up at Waikato Stadium with in-form midfielder Quinn Tupaea outside him.

They’re set to get plenty of quality ball from a forward pack that is arguably the best in the competition.

Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi was incredible in last weekend’s thumping of the Blues but is relegated to the reserves given the quality of the other locks Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord.

Samisoni Taukei’aho is scary with ball in hand at hooker, while Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, and Wallace Sititi have everything you need in a loose-forward trio with Samipeni Finau to come off the bench to smash some Queenslanders.

This has one-way traffic written all over it.

Prediction: Chiefs by 25