Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final ties confirmed as regular season ends
Split with Hurricanes and Brumbies stars.
The final round of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season has reached its conclusion with eight of 12 teams advancing to the quarter-finals which are set to take place next weekend.
There are four very interesting matches on the knockout schedule with teams from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji battling it out for silverware.
Quarter-final 1: Hurricanes v Rebels
The Hurricanes only just hung onto top spot thanks to a late Chiefs try that denied the Blues a bonus point which would have taken the Aucklanders top. It has been a brilliant season for the Wellington men who deserve to end the regular season at the summit of the table.
Their opponents, the Melbourne Rebels, have been rocked by the difficult news that they will not feature in the tournament next year after being cut by Rugby Australia due to financial concerns. Unfortunately, it times out with their first appearance in the play-offs. Still, the players will be keen to end on a high.
Quarter-final 2: Blues v Fijian Drua
The Blues looked set to finish top but it was not to be. However, it was a strong finish for a side that has been there or thereabouts for the last couple of seasons. The disappointment on their faces even after beating the Chiefs but missing top spot shows that the team only has eyes for silverware.
Meanwhile, the Drua had to win to qualify and they did as they put away the Rebels at home to punch their quarter-finals ticket. The harsh reality is that it results in a trip to Auckland but the Fijians will be ready to empty the tank next weekend.
Blues denied top spot by late Chiefs try despite claiming victory at Eden Park
Quarter-final 3: Brumbies v Highlanders
The Canberra men have been the best Australian side yet again and will be looking to keep their trend of reaching the semi-finals alive while hoping to go even deeper this season. They look to have found an increased maturity this season and it will be interesting to see how they do in the knockouts.
The Highlanders will be happy to have made the play-offs after missing our last season but have it all to do as they travel to Australia. Still, they have shown growth this campaign and anything is possible in knockout rugby.
Quarter-final 4: Chiefs v Reds
The Waikato men may be slightly disappointed to only finish fourth but will still take the home play-off in the quarter-finals stage. They have a lot of firepower in their set-up and are very much capable of putting a run into the title from this position.
In Queensland, the new era for the Reds under Les Kiss has been promising as the side looks really good this season, nearly doubling their points tally in the regular season. It will be interesting to see how the team does in the play-offs as a trip to the Chiefs is never easy.
2024 Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals
QF 1: Hurricanes v Rebels, Sky Stadium, Wellington
QF 2: Blues v Fijian Drua, Eden Park, Auckland
QF 3: Brumbies v Highlanders, GIO Stadium, Canberra
QF 4: Chiefs v Reds, FMG Stadium, Waikato