Check out the Sonny Bill Williams shoulder charge and fight during the Chiefs vs Highlanders match. Surprisingly no players were even yellow carded in this game even though Sonny Bill Williams and towards the end, prop Ben Tameifuna also completed a no arms challenge. Neither of these guys were yellow carded by enigmatic referee Bryce Lawrence. I thought the shoulder charge was frowned upon in rugby?

The three weeks of international rugby took its toll with the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith good examples of players who weren't quite as brilliant as they were for the All Blacks against Ireland. The injuries also took their toll with the Crusaders really missing Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Israel Dagg. Other players were probably short of a gallop after very little match fitness over the last three weeks. With most matches local derbies in Round 16, it will be interesting to see how teams adjust once they get back into playing overseas based teams. Coaches ability to manage players has been tested over this Super Rugby season!

The Highlanders defeat to the Chiefs means they are out of contention, while the Chiefs have two tough matches to come against the Crusaders and Hurricanes, but are almost guaranteed top spot in the New Zealand conference. The Chiefs will need to win both of these tough matches to finish top overall, otherwise the Stormers will probably be waiting to pick up the pieces.

The Brumbies and Reds confirmed their status as the top two Australian sides with the Brumbies one win ahead of the Reds.

In South Africa, the Stormers and Bulls had predictable victories leaving the Stormers in the top spot and the Bulls as the best of the rest. The Sharks have an important game against the Bulls this week which they must win to keep in the playoffs race.

There are three teams on 49 points in a tie for sixth position, while the Crusaders are only three points ahead. Two wins from the remaining two matches will probably confirm their position in the Top Six. The problem is that these teams have at least one tough match left with the Reds having arguably the easiest opponents with neither of their two remaining matches against teams ahead of them on the table, although both the Highlanders and the Waratahs are no easy-beats.

How many New Zealand teams will make the Top Six? How many South African teams will make the Top Six? It looks like the Brumbies will probably be the only Australian team in the finals, but the Reds still have a chance. Who will make the Top Six finals?

I am going for the Chiefs to finish top followed by the Stormers, Brumbies, Bulls, Crusaders and Reds. Sorry Hurricanes fans!

Super Rugby Table

Super Rugby Table
Pos Team P Pts
1 Chiefs 14 62
2 Stormers 14 58
3 Brumbies 14 54
4 Bulls 14 54
5 Crusaders 14 52
6 Hurricanes 15 49
7 Reds 14 49
8 Sharks 14 49
9 Highlanders 15 45
10 Cheetahs 14 37
11 Waratahs 14 34
12 Melbourne Rebels 14 29
13 Western Force 14 27
14 Blues 14 23
15 Lions 14 20