Super Rugby preview Round 16: Who will secure the last home playoff?

It’s the final round of the Super Rugby regular season and there’s still one home playoff up for grabs.

The situation is simple for the Blues: beat the Chiefs in Hamilton and third place is theirs.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders need to win against the Hurricanes to have a chance of staying in Christchurch next weekend.

But complicating the picture is plenty of All Blacks either being rested or out injured, while some others are making a comeback.

So can the Crusaders keep their unbeaten streak under the roof going against the ‘Canes who’ve mixed their team up with top-spot secure?

Will the Blues get the job done without a trio of stars against a Chiefs side who have locked in second place and have a new captain?

Let’s take a closer look at the two Kiwi derbies.

CRUSADERS v HURRICANES | Christchurch | Friday 7.05pm

This is must-win for the Crusaders and they’ll have to do it without their two best players.

Fullback Will Jordan is out for the season with a calf injury in a crushing blow to their title hopes.

Outside-back-turned-flanker Leicester Fainga’anuku is also out but only as a precaution after being bashed-up a bit in recent weeks wearing the number seven jersey.

The Hurricanes have opted to rest Ruben Love, Billy Proctor, Peter Lakai and Asafo Aumua with first place secure, and fair enough too.

Jordie Barrett has been listed as unavailable because of a sore hamstring and Du’Plessis Kirifi is nursing a sore shoulder.

Two All Blacks return though, and they’re bloody good ones: halfback Cam Roigard and prop Tyrel Lomax.

Home advantage at the new stadium has been massive this season for the Crusaders, beating the Waratahs, Blues, and Chiefs there so far.

Sevu Reece is playing his 100th game, just the second Crusaders wing after Caleb Ralph to do so, and expect Super Rugby’s all-time leading try-scorer to add to his tally against an under-strength ‘Canes team.

Prediction: Crusaders by 14

CHIEFS v BLUES | Hamilton | Saturday 7.05pm

The Blues have destiny in their own hands but they haven’t been in great form.

They’re coming off a bye and heavy back-to-back defeats to the Crusaders and Hurricanes and look to be on shaky ground.

They also don’t have three of their best players with Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, and Dalton Papali’i all out injured.

Anton Segner takes over the captaincy as he continues his push to become the first German-born All Black.

The Chiefs are resting some players and still don’t have Damian McKenzie due to a headknock but they are the favourites for this game.

Regular skipper Luke Jacobson and vice-captains Quinn Tupaea and Tupou Vaa’i are taking a break, elevating Wallace Sititi to the captaincy for the first time.

The 2024 World Rugby breakthrough player of the year has returned to his best form after an injury-delayed start to the season.

The Chiefs don’t have anything to play for in terms of the table but are coming off a loss to the Crusaders and will want to get back to their winning ways before the playoffs.

Prediction: Chiefs by 6