The build to the finals continues with a host of important matches set to headline this week.
The battle for top spot remains up for grabs, with the Hurricanes looking to take a big step this weekend.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Meanwhile, there are still a host of teams hanging on to their finals hopes as the season comes to a close.
Rugby.com.au breaks down the final three weeks and what you need to know.
*Note: If the teams are tied on points on the competition ladder, it will be decided as follows:
1. Most wins from all matches;
2. Highest aggregate points difference from all matches;
3. Most tries from all matches;
4. Highest aggregate difference of total tries for versus tries scored against from all matches;
5. Coin toss
at Blues, v Highlanders, at Crusaders
The Hurricanes were one of the biggest winners of the weekend as they went one step closer to a minor premiership.
They did the job against Moana Pasifika, but it gets harder from here with road trips against the Blues and Crusaders.
In-between is a tough home challenge against the Highlanders, but the Hurricanes have proven they are the team to beat.
v Highlanders, at Crusaders, v Blues
The Chiefs can still claim the minor premiership with maximum points and a Hurricanes defeat.
They’ve survived a tough away trip to Queensland and are now facing a Highlanders team fighting for their finals hopes.
If they get past this, they’ll know what they have to do to go top, hoping the Blues can do the job against the Hurricanes this week.
v Hurricanes, at Chiefs
A massive slip-up as they failed to come away with any points on the road against the Crusaders.
They face a crucial game against the Hurricanes this week to keep their hopes of the minor premiership alive.
But now they find themselves in danger of losing their home final status should the teams around them find form as they face the top two teams.
v Chiefs, v Hurricanes
The Crusaders have the luxury of a trio of home games to finish the year and made good use of it with a crucial win over the Blues.
It has them in a strong position for a home final push, although they aren’t out of the woods yet despite needing only a point or two to be secured.
However, they will relish the bye and a much-improved position this week to refresh before facing the top two teams.
at Waratahs, v Moana
The Brumbies did what they had to do to keep their home finals hopes alive, getting the rebound win against the Force.
They’ll enter as comfortable favourites against the Waratahs and Moana Pasifika, giving them a shot at the top three.
For it to happen, they need bonus point wins in both games, with the Blues to lose out and the Crusaders to lose at least one.
at Force, at Moana, v Drua
The Queensland Reds missed a golden opportunity against the Chiefs after a narrow loss at home.
They head west against the Force, needing a victory to secure a spot in the finals.
Their run home following this is relatively straightforward, facing Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua, the Drua game crucially at home.
at Chiefs, at Hurricanes
The Highlanders are still in the hunt for finals after their crucial win over the NSW Waratahs.
It doesn’t get easier from here, still to face the top two teams before a last game bye.
They are essentially riding the misfortunes of the Australian teams while hoping to cause a massive upset in the next fortnight.
at Drua, v Brumbies, at Force
On the other side of the coin, the Waratahs will lament the first-quarter fade that could’ve cost them their season.
It’s must-win territory now as they take on the Drua, Brumbies and Force in the next three weeks.
They also need the teams around them to falter, likely the Reds and Brumbies, to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
v Waratahs, at Force, at Reds
The Drua kept themselves alive with a clutch win over the Highlanders two weeks ago, giving them the tie-breaker out of the teams hunting for sixth despite the ‘Landers' win last week.
They are also in must-win territory against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday before their late-season road trip.
If they are to make their maiden finals, they’ll need at least one away win, finishing their season against the Force and Reds, while hoping the team above and around continue to take each other out.
v Reds, v Drua, v Waratahs
The Force are pretty much out of contention after their loss to the Brumbies
Three bonus point wins, starting with the Reds on Saturday, will give them a sniff at sneaking into the top six.
But it’s a tough ask for a team that will be without scrumhalf Henry Robertson, who has suffered an ACL injury.
v Reds, at Brumbies
Moana Pasifika’s tough season has only continued after another defeat on the weekend.
Their season started strong with their upset win over the Drua but they haven’t tasted success since.
