Tough maths equation for Tahs, Brumbies

The Brumbies and NSW Waratahs face an uphill battle to ensure Australia have
representation in the Super 14 finals series ahead of what looms as a dramatic final
round.
Seven teams are shooting for four finals berths with six competition points
separating the contenders who are spread across three countries.
The fifth-placed Brumbies and seventh-placed Waratahs are among four teams within
one competition point of fourth on a congested leaderboard which could even see the
pace-setting Bulls miss out on a finals berth.
Unlikely as it seems, the Bulls (42) could conceivably miss the playoffs with a
heavy loss to the sixth-placed Sharks (36) in Durban and if other results went
against them.
The Brumbies (37) could even claw their way into the top four with a loss to the
Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night, if they get two bonus points and other results
go their way.
"It's an interesting way for the competition to come to a climax - one round to go
and still plenty of footy to be played," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.
"The final make-up probably won't be decided until after the Bulls and the Sharks
game, so it's going to go down to the wire."
At least the Brumbies, desperate to make the playoffs for the first time since
winning the Super 12 in 2004, control their own destiny.
A bonus-point win over the second-placed Chiefs (41) - if coupled by denying the
home side their own bonus point - would see the Brumbies leapfrog the red-hot
attackers from the Waikato.
It's a luxury NSW don't possess as the Waratahs (36) must beat the Lions in
Johannesburg and hope at least three teams above them fall over.
As hard as it is to see that happening, the Sharks, Brumbies and defending champion
Crusaders - who play arch-rivals the Blues in Auckland - all face challenging final
rounds.
In contrast, the third-placed Hurricanes (39) should cement a playoff appearance by
overpowering a depleted Queensland in Brisbane on Saturday night.
It would have been so much easier for all involved if governing body SANZAR stuck
with original plans to extend the finals series from four to six this season.
On top of the tough race for the top four, the fight for top two positions and a
home semi-final should be almost as intense.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes the Bulls can put a major deposit on their
second Super 14 title if they kill off the Sharks and ensure their final games are
played in Pretoria.
"If the Bulls finish up top, then they'll be a challenge because they've got that
unique circumstance of the high veldt and the travel and history would suggest that
no-one has ever travelled twice (during the finals) and won," Deans said.
Only twice in 13 years of Super rugby - in 1998 and 2007 - have no Australian teams
featured in the playoffs.