Hurricanes 56-20 Highlanders

Stung by last week's shock defeat by the Crusaders, the Hurricanes were quick to wrap up top billing for the play-offs with a blistering opening 35 minutes against the Highlanders. Playing without star All Blacks Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, the Highlanders did their best to stay with their hosts with two first-half tries of their own; but there was only ever one outcome on offer as the Hurricanes again flaunted their classy attacking game to run out 36-point winners. Playing just hours after learning of the tragic death of former All Blacks back-rower Jerry Collins and his partner, Alana, a minute's silence was observed before kick-off. Veteran All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu then gave his own tribute to Collins following the first of his two tries, the Hurricanes second-five pointing skyward in memory of his former Canes and Test team-mate. Scrum-half TJ Perenara also grabbed a double in a victory that ensures the Hurricanes won't have to leave Westpac Stadium during the post-season.

Force 20-33 Brumbies

The Brumbies have used the maul to great effect this season, and it was again the case on Friday as flanker David Pocock picked up his second hat-trick of the year in a 13-point win over the Force. Pocock previously tagged onto the back of the pack for three tries against the Highlanders, and the Force, too, had no answer for the drive as the back-rower grabbed a first-half double and completed his treble 15 minutes from full-time. The Force's case wasn't helped by a first-half yellow card to lock Steve Mafi. The game was all but gone by half-time, but the Force did at least show some fight with two tries inside the final 10 minutes. Pocock added to his impressive evening with a match-high 15 tackles, but it's the Brumbies' rolling maul that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will be keen to tap into at Test level; their set-up is arguably the finest in Super Rugby. The Force, meanwhile, have next week's clash with Melbourne Rebels to endure before a post-season review delivers some harsh truths; whether coach Michael Foley is around to right those wrongs next year remains to be seen.

Rebels 21-20 Bulls

A controversial Television Match Official decision rounded out a miserable Australasian tour for the Bulls as they finished the four-week journey without a win. But they had every right to lament a curious no-try decision from the TMO midway through the second-half, the officials declaring Burger Odendaal had failed to ground the ball despite video replays appearing to confirm otherwise. The visitors had earlier stormed out of the sheds with a try to Dean Greyling just three minutes after the opening whistle; the Rebels found an almost immediate response, however, when a smart blindside move resulted in a maiden Super Rugby try for Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon. The two sides traded tries again before the break, with Jack Debreczeni grabbing a crucial five-pointer for the hosts right on the stroke of half-time. In-form Rebels lock Lopeti Timani thundered his way over from close range to grab the only try of the second half, before the visitors were denied a five-pointer that would have reclaimed the lead. As it was, the Rebels held on to record their seventh win of what has been a breakout season for Tony McGahan's side. The Bulls, meanwhile, return home to Pretoria with nothing but pride to play for against the Cheetahs having failed to land a win on tour for the second straight year.

Blues 11-34 Crusaders

The Crusaders miss the play-offs for the first time since Christ was a boy in Under-Sevens - or so it seems - despite a commanding victory over an under-strength Blues side. The Chiefs' defeat of the Reds and the Waratahs' bonus-point win over the Cheetahs ended the seven-time champions' semi-final hopes, just a few hours after they had pulled off a bonus-point win of their own in Auckland. Dan Carter and Nemani Nadolo were again at the heart of the Crusaders' attacking raids, the duo combining for the game's first try through a pinpoint cross-field kick from the veteran fly-half; the Fijian was forced to channel a little NBA Finals action in a superb tip-on take to touch down in the corner. The Crusaders' scrum, arguably the standout set-piece in the competition, was rewarded with a second-half penalty-try while Matt Todd picked up another team five-pointer following a well-executed rolling maul. But it was all to avail as Saturday's other results failed to fall the Crusaders' way. Todd Blackadder and his side will regret some inconsistent performances throughout the first half of the season. The Blues, meanwhile, have next week's clash with the Highlanders to restore some pride at the end of an otherwise poor season; it may yet to prove to be coach Sir John Kirwan's last night in charge.

Reds 3-24 Chiefs

There would be no fairy-tale farewell for a couple of modern-day Reds greats as James Horwill and Will Genia waved goodbye to Suncorp Stadium with a 21-point loss to the Chiefs. The Reds did their best to send the duo out with a win, but the star of last week's win over the Force, Quade Cooper, was unable to break down the Chiefs defence and Genia went closest to touching down - the half-back dropping the ball over the line in a tackle from opposite number Augustine Pulu. The Chiefs showed the Reds what to do with fleeting attacking opportunities - Bryce Heem, Liam Messam, and Charlie Ngatai coming away with five-pointers - and their win ensured they will play semi-final rugby for the fourth straight season; next week's clash against the Hurricanes, and the Highlanders' clash with the Blues, will decide whether they play at home or away in the first week of the post season. The Reds, meanwhile, head south to Sydney where they will be hoping to avoid another whitewash at the hands of their fiercest rivals.

Cheetahs 33-58 Waratahs

The Waratahs ran riot with nine tries in a game of all-out attack, with the Cheetahs playing their full part to score five tries of their own. Israel Folau starred with a hat-trick and impressive breaks after broaching the line in the fourth minute - the first of five tries in the opening 20 minutes. Taqele Naiyaravoro made another big impression when he charged through the Cheetahs' defence to score in the corner just after the half-time siren. But it wasn't one-way traffic, with Francois Venter, Cornal Hendricks and Boom Prinsloo producing some magic of their own to ensure an eight-point ball game - 29-21 - at the break. The attacking carnage continued after the break, with Adam Ashley-Cooper getting his name on the board and the Cheetahs returning fire minutes later, but the visitors thereafter pulled away as Folau produced another stunning try despite Rayno Benjamin attempting to trip him on the way to the line. The Tahs took full advantage of their man advantage to score another two tries and a penalty, with the bonus-point win seeing them move back to the top of the Australian conference and shift into second on the ladder with one round to go.

Stormers 19-19 Lions

Both sides kicked off with play-off hopes in mind, the Stormers playing to secure their position atop the South African conference and also their place in the top three while the Lions were determined to secure a play-off berth. But both teams finished the match disappointed, the draw ending the Lions' hopes of post-season football and denting the Stormers' chances of finishing second overall for a week's break and a home semi-final. The teams traded points points before Nizaam Carr latched onto the end of fullback Cheslin Kolbe's amazing break to put the Stormers ahead by seven points. The Lions launched a wave of attacks and they finally crossed to level the scores one final time after Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff was sent to the sin-bin in the 73rd minute.