Super Rugby Pacific's regular season is in the books, with just eight teams remaining in a finals system that continues to draw criticism.
And there is no team more fortunate than the Highlanders, who scraped into eighth place by virtue of a losing bonus point against the Rebels on Sunday despite a 4-10 record for the season.
Still, that's what competition administrators agreed on and the Highlanders fans certainly won't be complaining!
Stay across all the team news, odds and our verdicts for the four quarterfinals below.
Crusaders vs. Reds | Chiefs vs. Waratahs | Blues vs. Highlanders | Brumbies vs. Hurricanes
Friday, June 3
Crusaders vs. Reds, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, 5.05pm [AEST]
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall; Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge
Reds: Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, Lawson Creighton, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Feao Fotuaika, Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert. Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Sef Fa'agase, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas, Hunter Paisami.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders $1.04, -19.5 $1.85; Reds $9.00, +19.5 $1.90 [odds correct as of 1pm 1/6]
Verdict: It's the Crusaders vs. Reds II, with the two teams locking horns for the second straight week in Christchurch. While the visitors were far from disgraced last week, they never seriously threatened with the Crusaders consistently holding a lead they never looked like losing. The hosts are further boosted this week by the return of Richie Mo'unga, Codie Taylor and Jack Goodhue, while Scott Robertson will also be grateful to have Pablo Matera at No. 6, the back-rower perhaps a tad fortunate not to be cited for his dangerous lifting tackle on Jordan Petaia. The Reds centre has shaken off that knock to take his place at outside centre, while coach Brad Thorn has made the big call to start Liam Wright ahead of Fraser McReight at No. 7, with the talented youngster instead held back to add some energy off the bench where he is joined by the returning Hunter Paisami. Thorn has taken on a "State of Origin" style mantra for this clash and his side can certainly hang with the Crusaders once more, particularly if they are assured at set-piece. But it's hard to see them causing what would be a monumental upset, particularly with Mo'unga back pulling the strings. Crusaders by 15.
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Saturday, June 4
Chiefs vs. Waratahs, FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 2.30pm [AEST]
Chiefs: Emoni Narawa, Jonah Lowe, Alex Nanikell, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber; Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta'avao, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitch Brown, Xaiver Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Waratahs: Ben Donaldson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Tom Horton, Paddy Ryan, Archer Holz, Hugh Sinclair, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Jamie Roberts
Odds: [tab.com.au] Chiefs $1.22, -11.5 $1.90; Waratahs $4.00, +11.5 $1.85 [odds correct as of 1pm 1/6]
Verdict: The Brumbies' slip-up against Moana Pasifika saw the Chiefs finish third, setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Waratahs when Clayton McMillan's side will have been thinking about a date with the Hurricanes, at least once they had caught their breath from a pulsating clash with the Drua. The Chiefs were very nearly run down in the Lautoka heat, conceding three tries inside the final 10 minutes that eventually saw them escape with only a one-point win. That match will have taken a significant toll on McMillan's troops, but they will be far more comfortable back in the chilly Hamilton air on Saturday afternoon. The Waratahs, meanwhile, blew another handy lead against New Zealand opposition, this time the Blues, to be sunk by a late drop goal at Leichhardt Oval. Their inability to manage the closing stages perhaps a sign of the growing pains in this young team, although some senior players have also come in for criticism in the wake of that defeat. Still, a sixth-placed finish and a quarterfinal is more than what coach Darren Coleman was aiming for in his first year in charge, and he now has the chance to do something special on the road. NSW have regained Harry Johnson-Holmes in a huge boost for their set-piece, but Izaia Perese was not quite ready in his recovery from a knee injury. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is still not fit to return, although the Chiefs still retain loads of Test quality in their pack. Look for the Waratahs to be competitive for 60 minutes, but there is just a bit too much class in this Chiefs side for NSW to seriously threaten for victory. Chiefs by 13.
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Blues vs. Highlanders, Eden Park, Auckland, 5.05pm [AEST]
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan
Highlanders: Conor Garden-Bachop, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Moses Dawai, Marty Banks, Aaron Smith; Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Denny Solomona
Odds: [tab.com.au] Blues $1.12, -15.5 $1.90; Highlanders $5.70, +15.5 $1.85 [odds correct as of 1pm 1/6]
Verdict: The winning streak continued for the Blues in Round 15, despite coach Leon MacDonald running out a virtual B-team that still did the job against the Waratahs. The Blues' streak now sits at 13 matches and they are raging hot favourites to make it 14 on the bounce back at Eden Park on Saturday night. The list of player returns is too long to mention, but summarised by the fact that it is an entirely new starting XV to last week. The Highlanders, meanwhile, scraped into the playoffs by virtue of a losing bonus point the Rebels, which saw them pip the Force for eighth. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was superb in that match and he again looms as a key figure if the Highlanders are going to get anywhere near the Blues on Saturday night. But the visitors are going to need MacDonald's side to be well down from their best and given they are coming in with a completely fresh XV that seems an unlikely prospect. Blues by 20.
Brumbies vs. Hurricanes, GIO Stadium Oval, Camberra, 7.45pm [AEST]
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Pete Samu, Luke Reimer, Tom Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford.
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Aidan Morgan, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Blake Gibson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tevita Mafileo. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Wes Goosen.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Brumbies $1.58, -2.5 $1.85; Hurricanes $2.30, +2.5 $1.90 [odds correct as of 11am 1/6]
Verdict: The opening weekend of the playoffs wraps up with the game that looks the tightest to call, on paper anyway, with the Hurricanes heading to what will be a freezing Canberra on Saturday night. Surprisingly, both the Brumbies and Hurricanes were last-start losers, to Moana Pasifika and Western Force respectively, in matches that looked like perfect tune-ups for the finals. The bad news for the Brumbies is that there is still no Rob Valetini, who has missed each of their three straight defeats, Dan McKellar's side seriously lacking the back-rower's line-bending running. The Canes have returned skipper Ardie Savea to the starting side and he will make a huge difference to the visitors' own attack, his leg drive through contact unmatched across the competition. But the Hurricanes must still find a way to negate the Brumbies' superb rolling maul, while McKellar has also looked to counter the twin breakdown threats of Savea and Du'Plessis Kirifi. This one will be fought to the final siren in the Canberra cold, but those conditions will favour the home side. Brumbies by 3.