Super Rugby playoffs: Things you need to know

While the Super Rugby playoff contenders were a fairly predictable bunch, there’s been a few goings on that may not make the outcomes so straight-forward.

The Hurricanes, as expected, booked their place in the semi finals last night with a win over the Brumbies. This was despite only looking like they were interested in playing the second half, but at least they ran up the scoreline that everyone was expecting in the end.

However, the remaining three fixtures aren’t so clear cut – and it’s more than just what will happen on the field that’s affecting them.

• New Zealand’s weather: Right now the entire country is caught in a deluge of biblical proportions, with flooding up and down the South Island. While AMI Stadium in Christchurch should be in good shape for the playoff between the Crusaders and Highlanders, the same can’t be said of Dunedin airport. The Highlanders were due to fly out of last night, but that was delayed till today – meaning the visitors will arrive mere hours before kickoff. The good news is that it’s a relatively short trip, but it’s still pretty inconvenient for the biggest game of the season so far.

https://twitter.com/LimaSopoaga/status/888246045267812353

• Hard-ass South African border control: NZ customs will definitely not being a Christmas card from the Chiefs this year, after the wrong date was stamped in midfielder Alex Nankivell’s entry visa to South Africa. It meant that he was turned away by an unwavering border officer when he got off the flight, and had to fly all the way back to NZ. While Nankivell probably wouldn’t have started the match against the Stormers, it’s still a bit of a disruption that they didn’t need.
• A change at 10 for the Sharks: Curwin Bosch comes into the starting lineup at the expense of Garth April, who started last weekend’s high irrelevant match between the two sides. Sharks coach Robert du Preez said that he’s looking for ‘greater intensity’ from his players this week, which would be a good idea given they could’ve been mistaken for a team that wanted to lose their last match.
• If the Lions and Crusaders lose it’ll throw everything up in the air: While the Sharks were more than happy to avoid a trip to NZ this weekend, if they pull off a victory it’ll mean the Hurricanes will host a semi final against them next week. If the Crusaders go down to the Highlanders, that could mean the final will take place in Wellington as well – a repeat of last year and a scenario Canes fans would’ve written off after their loss to the Chiefs before the British & Irish Lions tour.