And then there were four. Just the Hurricanes, Blues, Brumbies and Chiefs remain in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
And rightfully so, too, they were clearly a cut above the rest of the competition during the regular season, and then breezed past their quarterfinal opponents, for the most part, last weekend.
Now we can look forward to two mouth-watering contests in Auckland and Wellington.
Check out all the team lists, key ins and outs, odds and our tips below.
Friday, June 14
Blues vs.
Brumbies
Eden Park, Auckland, 5:05pm [AEST]
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'i (capt), Akira Ioane, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, James Thompson, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamati Tua, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (capt), Billy Pollard, James Slipper.
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Ollie Sapsford
Odds [tab.com.au]: Blues $1.22, -9.5 $1.85; Brumbies $5.00, +12.5 $1.85
Prediction: A big crowd is expected at Eden Park on Friday evening with the Blues to host the Brumbies in a semifinal for the second time in three years. Back in 2022, the Blues were lucky to survive a stirring Brumbies comeback amid their own indiscipline, with a favourable Ben O'Keeffe call sparing Leon MacDonald's side a nervous final minute when Noah Lolesio could have potentially lined up a match-winner. The Kiwis are travelling a little bit steadier this time around, with coach Vern Cotter having added an old-school toughness that had been missing up front for the Blues. The hosts have a powerful scrum and they will look to use that to take the Brumbies out of this game, particularly given the difficulty the ACT have endured at the set-piece this season. It is almost unfathomable, but once the backbone of the Brumbies' game, their scrum is this year the worst of any in Super Rugby. James Slipper's return should improve their ability to win their own ball, but the Blues can march downfield off the back of the penalties they will almost certainly win on their feed. While the Brumbies' scrum has gone in one direction, their attacking game has thankfully gone in the other. The back three of Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole is in magnificent form, while Lolesio's competition-leading 85.5% goal-kicking success rate is another huge positive. Up front, coach Stephen Larkham has opted for a breakdown on-baller in Rory Scott at No. 7 in somewhat of a selection surprise with Jahrome Brown and Luke Reimer offering cover off the bench in what is a 6-2 split. There is meanwhile no Patrick Tuipulotu for the Blues, but Akira Ioane passed a fitness test on Thursday to take his place at No. 6. As well as the Blues themselves, the Brumbies also have 17 games and 28 years of trans-Tasman finals history to overcome. They are capable of doing it if they play to their full potential, limit the damage the Blues do at the scrum, and Lolesio kicks anything and everything. Still, we're tipping the Blues in a tight one.
Tip: Blues by 3
DOWNLOAD THE ESPN SCRUM RESET PODCAST HERE!
Saturday, June 15
Hurricanes vs.
Chiefs
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 2:35pm [AEST]
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields (capt), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Justin Sangster, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: James O'Reilly, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd, Bailyn Sullivan
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Jimmy Tupou, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona
Odds: [tab.com.au] Hurricanes $1.53, -3.5 $1.90; Chiefs $2.45, +3.5 $1.90
Verdict: Just three weeks after they turned on a thriller in Hamilton, the Hurricanes and Chiefs meet once more, this time at what could be a near capacity Cake Tin in Wellington. Both teams blew their quarterfinal opposition off the park last week, though the Canes first had to wear down a gutsy Rebels, while the Chiefs just dominated the Reds from the outset. And that's what makes this game so tantalising, the sheer scope of the firepower right across the paddock. You've got Aumua v Taukei'aho, Finau v Shields and Jacobson v Lakai up front, while the halves, midfield and back-three talent is so deep you can't separate one from the others. It was the Hurricanes who charged out of the blocks when the two teams met last night and a fast start will go a long way to winning this one too. The Chiefs have however regained a little bit more depth since that defeat and the decision at the death against Jacobson must still irk the captain, even if he dodged a potential red card a week later. But there is just something different about this version of the Hurricanes. In seasons past they have perhaps relied too much on the likes of Ardie Savea of Jordie Barrett, this year they are complete unit from 1-15, with greater depth on the bench. You won't want to miss this clash.
Tip: Hurricanes by 1.