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Finals spots up for grabs in Super Rugby Round 13
SEN • May 7th, 2025 6:03 pm
Round 13 of the 2025 Super Rugby season is here, and it’s must-watch wall-to-wall action with the race for finals spots heating up over the final weeks of the campaign.
There are just four rounds to go, and all four games this weekend could have bearings on the eventual make up of the finals.
As it stands, only the Chiefs and Crusaders are locked into the top six, and the Brumbies are likely to qualify with only a dramatic reversal in fortunes over the final rounds able to stop them.
The rest of the teams are anything but secure though, with the Reds, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifikia currently rounding out the top six, but with the Blues, Western Force and Waratahs still likely chances of qualifying.
The Highlanders and Fijian Drua sit at the foot of the table and while mathematically could still fight their way into the knockout rounds, will need minor miracles over the closing weeks of the campaign.
The Highlanders, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika all have their final byes of the season this weekend, while the Crusaders and Reds have already completed their final byes. Every other team will have a different week off over the closing weeks of the 14-game, 16-round campaign which means there is still plenty of water to pass under the bridge.
In the race for the finals, the Reds can go a long way to qualifying with the Waratahs in a match that could end the New South Wales’ side’s chances, while the Brumbies could also put a significant dent in the Western Force’s chances and lock themselves into the top six.
In the opening game of the weekend, the Fijian Drua take on the Blues. The Drua are coming off a shock win over the Reds last weekend and will aim to steer off the bottom of the table when they clash with the Blues on Friday.
A Blues win would catapult them ahead of Moana Pasifika on the table and into the top six, albeit with a bye to come. Despite having to travel to Suva, the Blues head into the game as heavy favourites, having won all four of their previous matches against the Drua.
Fiji’s form at home has also been poor in recent times, losing two of their last three games in Suva.
Friday also brings us the aforementioned game between the Waratahs and Reds.
The Queensland-based side have hit the skids in recent times, losing three of their last four, including to Fiji last week. Their trip south to Moore Park brings a match up they enjoy though, having won seven of the last eight matches between the sides.
Whether that’s enough to get over a desperate Waratahs side remains to be seen though, with the NSW side winning their last five home games.
The early game on Saturday could decide the minor premiership, with the Chiegs and Crusaders - who have both won eight games - tied on points and set to face off.
The Crusaders do, however, have a game in hand and could recover from a loss, although they head into the contest as favourites on home soil, having won eight of the last ten matches between the teams in Christchurch.
The round ends with the Brumbies and Force. Despite having to trek across the country, the Brumbies, who can lock up a finals place, have won seven of their last eight in Perth.
They did lose to the Force earlier in the year, but that in itself could be enough to flip the script here, with the Brumbies winning four of their last five, and the Force losing two on the bounce ahead of this one as they desperately attempt to keep their finals chances alive.
