Friday 8 July 2016 06:59, UK
The Brumbies and the Waratahs desperately need points to keep their title hopes alive going into Super Rugby's penultimate round, as nine teams battle for seven undecided quarter-final berths.
With the Lions the only side assured of making the play-offs, the Blues, although out of contention, could ultimately decide how the Australian teams fare.
The Brumbies and Waratahs are locked on 39 points at the top of the Australian Conference and both have to travel to Auckland to face the Blues.
Such is the competition logjam, the side that finishes second in Australia could miss the play-offs.
Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa was very clear on what is at stake for the Australian sides teetering on the edge of a bid for the title or oblivion.
"With the tables being so close now, every point matters," said Alaalatoa as the Brumbies prepare to open round 16 against the Blues on Friday.
"Every game heading towards the finals now is going to be a final for us. Blues in Auckland is always going to be a tough match so you can't be looking at trying to get a bonus point, we just have to look at getting the win first."
The Brumbies finish off against the Western Force next weekend, while the Waratahs first have to play last year's beaten finalists the Hurricanes before they head to Auckland.
Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau said they will need maximum points from both games.
"We come in with a goal of getting the full five points [against the Hurricanes[ but at the end of the day if it doesn't pan out then so be it," he said.
"We just have to make sure that we can follow that up the week after against the Blues."
The Chiefs, defending a one-point lead over the Crusaders in the packed New Zealand Conference, head to Brisbane to play the Reds.
They have gambled on resting Brodie Retallick and moved Sam Cane to the back of the scrum against a Reds unit who, like the Blues, have a spoiler's role to play.
The Reds have been strong at home as evidenced by a win over the Highlanders, and if the Chiefs do not claim a bonus point, it opens the way for the Crusaders to return to the top of the New Zealand group.
The Crusaders are home to the Rebels and despite resting All Blacks captain Kieran Read, coach Todd Blackadder knows they need a five-pointer after blowing the chance of a crucial bonus point against the Chiefs last week.
"It wasn't our best performance of the season, but our next two have to be," said Blackadder, adding it was vital for the Crusaders to "perform and get back to five points" against the Rebels.
With the Lions already safe and the Stormers on the verge of qualifying, the focus of the African Conferences is on the Bulls and Sharks.
The Bulls need maximum points against the Sunwolves in the battle for the third African qualifying spot while the Sharks, three points ahead of the Bulls, have a tougher assignment against the Cheetahs.
The Sharks must win both their final two matches to be assured of staying ahead of the Bulls and they are likely to be without injured Springboks Patrick Lambie and Willie le Roux for the Cheetahs clash.
The Lions play the lowly Southern Kings on Friday evening while the Stormers are away to the Western Force. The Highlanders play the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday night.
