The log position is as follows:-
1 Crusaders 13 played = 49
2 Bulls 12 played = 32
3 Brumbies 12 played = 29
4 Hurricanes 13 played = 40
5 Jaguares 12 played = 32
6 Lions 12 played = 30
7 Sharks 12 played = 29
8 Highlanders 13 played = 29
+++++++++++++++++++++++
9 Rebels 12 played = 28
10 Waratahs 12 played = 26
11 Blues 12 played = 26
12 Stormers 12 played = 26
13 Reds 12 played = 23
14 Chiefs 13 played = 23
15 Sunwolves 12 played = 12
The only two teams which after 13 games played each are safely in the quarterfinal zone - namely the Crusaders and the Hurricanes. What is already clear is that it is virtually impossible for the following three teams to reach the quarterfinals of the series:-
Reds - 4 games to play - Chiefs, Jaguares, Blues, Brumbies
Chiefs 3 games to play - Reds, Crusaders, Rebels
Sunwolves - 4 games to play - Rebels, Brumbies, Stormers, Jaguares
Other than the Crusaders and Hurricanes - as well as the above three teams - there are still 10 teams in potential competition for the remaining 6 positions on the log to reach the quarterfinals. Other than the Blues - all NZ teams have only three games remaining - while the other teams all have 4 games to go.
Some teams are now in the position that they have to win to get through to the top 8 positions and some teams have very difficult routes to go through. Take for instance the Highlanders, They have to play the following teams in their remaining three matches:-
* The Stormers
* The Bulls
* The Waratahs
If they lose this weekend against the Stormers - they will be in hot water with two rather difficult games coming up.
