And then there were four. We were treated to two epic quarterfinal clashes and two that went exactly to script with the Waratahs and Drua bowing out in blow out results, while the Reds and Hurricanes ended their seasons in dramatic fashion. Now we turn to the semis with three heavyweight New Zealand sides and the Brumbies flying the Aussie flag.
This week we head to Christchurch and Hamilton where the finalists will be determined.
Stay across all the line-ups, team news and odds for the quarterfinals as they come to hand below.
Crusaders vs. Blues | Chiefs vs. Brumbies
Crusaders vs. Blues, Orangethoery Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm [AEST]
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Sione Havili Talitui, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Oliver Jager, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Replacements: Brodie McAllister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O'Neill, Dominic Gardner, Corey Kellow, Willie Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (capt), Akira Ioane, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Nepo Laulala, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders 1.53, -4.5 $1.95; Blues 2.45, +4.5 $1.85
Verdict: If the Brumbies are facing a daunting statistical hurdle they must overcome this weekend, then what does that make the Blues assignment in Christchurch? No matter what word you might use to describe the Crusaders' 28-0 finals record in Christchurch, it's abundantly clear the scale of the challenge that lies ahead of the Blues. But what that statistic does not measure is the fact that the Blues come into this game on the back of four straight wins, nor that this Crusaders squad is lacking multiple frontline All Blacks. There is no Sam Whitelock again this week, the veteran lock sidelined alongside Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Sevu Reece, Joe Moody and David Havili; the Blues conversely have regained Caleb Clarke from injury, which means there is no place for in-form winger AJ Lam. But as history is against the Blues, so too is this year's ledger, with the Crusaders having won both of their regular season fixtures, the most recent of which was the Blues' last loss before their run of four straight wins. So why can this game be different? For one, the Blues pack stacks up incredibly well against the Crusaders, and they will be hopeful that Dalton Papali'i does not repeat his red-card offence from Christchurch last month. The Aucklanders also boast an excellent set-piece that has multiple lineout jumpers and All Blacks props that bookend the front-row. They do, in fact mark up superbly against the Crusaders man for man across the paddock. And all records must at some stage be broken, right? Sadly, for Crusaders fans at least, we sniff an upset here -- Scott Robertson and Richie Mo'unga will not again their fairy tale farewell. Blues by 1.
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Saturday, June 17
Chiefs vs. Brumbies, FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5:05pm [AEST]
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (co-capt); Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi.
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Tamaiti Tua, Ollie Sapsford, Jack Debreczeni, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Tom Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Sefo Kautai, Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper. Replacements: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole.
Odds: [tab.com.au] Chiefs $1.18, -11.5 $1.15; Brumbies $4.60, +11.5 $1.95
Verdict: The second of the semifinals comes from Hamilton, where the Chiefs and Brumbies will meet just a few weeks after the Kiwis were comfortable victors in Canberra. Both sides had to do things the hard way last week, though, with the Chiefs forced deep into their contest with a dogged Reds outfit who, after being the only team to defeat the Waikato side during the regular season, again showed how they could be troubled. That game specifically revolves around a shrewd and well executed kicking assault, but one that must be matched with resilient defence. In Canberra, meanwhile, the Brumbies were forced to endure one final agonising TMO decision before Ardie Savea's five-pointer was denied. That was a thrilling contest, and one that will have steeled the Brumbies for their challenge in Hamilton this weekend. ACT will certainly need to shift from their ball-in-hand assault that was so easily rebuffed by the Chiefs last month, adopt more field position and generally execute with far greater consistency. The Chiefs have been boosted by the return of Alex Nankivell and Tupou Vaa'i, while the Brumbies have welcomed Tom Hooper back into the starting side, while Corey Toole will add a touch of electricity from the bench. While the Brumbies won on their last trip to Hamilton in 2022, you just wonder how much last week's game and the travel across the ditch has taken out of them. Look for the Chiefs to move clear inside the final 15 minutes. Chiefs by 7.