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Super Rugby Aotearoa scenarios: How a winner can be decided - and how three teams can finish level

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

With just two rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa action remaining, a title winner could be decided as early as Sunday. Here’s all you need to know about the title chances of the Crusaders, Blues and Hurricanes.

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Crusaders to win scenario

As it stands:

Sitting first on 24 points (+61 points difference)

Remaining games:

v Highlanders, at Blues

The scenario:

Need one win from their two remaining games to win the title. Pretty simple.

Blues to win scenario

As it stands:

Video Spacer

Sam Smith returns to the heart of Chiefs country

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Sam Smith returns to the heart of Chiefs country

Second on 22 points (+27)

Remaining game:

Bye, v Crusaders

The scenario:

Need to beat the Crusaders in their final game

and

hope the Crusaders lose to the Highlanders. There is also chance both teams could still end on 26 in this scenario, but Blues would have won more games so they would have the tiebreaker.

Hurricanes to win scenario

As it stands:

Third place on 16 points (+7)

Remaining games:

v Chiefs, at Highlanders

The scenario:

Need to win their remaining two games, both with a bonus point,

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and

hope the Crusaders lose their final two games,

and

the Blues win their final game without a bonus point, and then have a greater points difference. Basically, they need a miracle.

The ‘all three teams finish on the same points’ scenario

Yes it’s possible. The Crusaders, Blues and Hurricanes could all finish on 26 points.

For this to happen the Crusaders would need to earn just two points from their remaining two games (either a draw against the Highlanders or two bonus points in defeats). The Blues would need to beat the Crusaders without a bonus point (and deny them a bonus point if they head into the game on 26).

The Hurricanes would need the maximum 10 points in victories over the Chiefs and Highlanders. If this did happen then the title would be decided between the Blues and the Hurricanes as they would both have more wins than the Crusaders. Points difference would be the decider.

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R
RedWarrior 36 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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