Consider this, New Zealand teams are a staggering 30-1 against non-Kiwi teams in Super Rugby this season.
The only blotch on an otherwise perfect record is the Chiefs' 34-26 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
It's an extremely telling statistic on the current state of Super Rugby, but it's also a very helpful stat in determining which New Zealand team has the easiest run in to the playoffs.
Currently, 20 points separate the top New Zealand team - the Crusaders - and the bottom - the Blues.
But the Blues are only six points off a playoff spot, so are well in the hunt as well.
NZ Conference Table:
Crusaders - 46 points
Chiefs - 42
Hurricanes - 38 (played one less game)
Highlanders - 32
Blues - 26
Remaining Fixtures:
Crusaders: Hurricanes (H), Chiefs (A), Rebels (A), Highlanders (H), Bye, Hurricanes (A).
Chiefs: Bye, Crusaders (H), Blues (A), Waratahs (H), Hurricanes (A), Brumbies (H).
Hurricanes: Crusaders (A), Cheetahs (H), Bulls (A), Force (A), Chiefs (H), Crusaders (H).
Highlanders: Bulls (A), Force (A), Waratahs (H), Crusaders (A), Bye, Reds (H).
Blues: Cheetahs (H), Stormers (A), Chiefs (H), Reds (H), Bye, Sunwolves (A).
Interestingly, the three top teams probably have the hardest remaining fixtures, and the two bottom teams have the easiest. Both the Highlanders and Blues will be underdogs for their remaining Kiwi derby fixtures against the Crusaders and Chiefs respectively, but given what's happened so far this season, you could reasonably expect them both to win all of their remaining games outside of that.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders, Chiefs and Hurricanes could well beat each other up over the remaining weeks, with a plethora of Kiwi derbies on their plate.
Currently, the Hurricanes and Crusaders are playing the best rugby, but the Highlanders have the ability to get on a roll with plenty of players coming back from injury and mostly favourable fixtures.
It's at this point where I believe there is an expectation to make some sort of finals prediction. I won't be doing that. Just strapping myself in for the thrilling final rounds (with a Lions tour at some point too) that should go down to the last match.
Newshub.
