The Chiefs unbeaten run in 2023 ended on Friday night when they were upset by the Queensland Reds 25-22 in New Plymouth. It was the Reds first victory on New Zealand soil in 21 matches. 

The Brumbies maintained second place with an entertaining win against the Highlanders while the Crusaders sounded an ominous warning to their rivals with a resounding win over the Blues.
The Waratahs have won three in a row, the Force remained tough to beat at home and Fijian Drua lost ground after climbing inside the top eight last weekend. 

On present standings, the quarter-finals would be (home team is listed first):

Chiefs v Force
Brumbies v Reds
Hurricanes v Waratahs
Crusaders v Blues
 
Chiefs


Current position: 1
Current points: 46
Remaining matches:
Hurricanes (h)
Brumbies (a)
Force (a)
Possible maximum points: 61


The Chiefs' first loss was an unexpected wake-up call. Nine players, including several All Blacks, were rested from the Crusaders victory in Hamilton. Expect a full-strength roster to be named for the Hurricanes clash. A loss to the biggest winners in Round 12 could mean the Chiefs would have to beat the Brumbies in Canberra to maintain pole position. 
 
Brumbies


Current position: 2
Current points: 41
Remaining matches:
Force (a)
Chiefs (h)
Rebels (h)
Possible maximum points: 56


The Brumbies were tested for an hour by the Highlanders before charging home with a wet sail. An away trip to Perth to face the Force won’t be an easy assignment this Saturday. The hosts' four victories in 2023 have all been at home. Still, the Brumbies will expect to win and keep pressure on the Chiefs for first place.


Hurricanes


Current position: 3
Current points: 37
Remaining matches:
Chiefs (a)
Blues (a)
Crusaders (h)
Possible maximum points: 52


The Hurricanes scored their biggest victory of the season on Saturday and will head to Hamilton buoyant after the Chiefs first loss in 2023. The Hurricanes match against the Blues in Round 14 might decide who finishes fourth and fifth with the Crusaders likely to win their next two games and possibly climb to third. The Hurricanes have lost to each of their next three opponents in their most recent meetings. The Hurricanes points difference is +163.
 
Crusaders 


Current position: 4
Current points: 37
Remaining matches:
Moana (a)
Waratahs (h)
Hurricanes (a)
Possible maximum points: 52


The Crusaders were clinical in their 17th victory in the past 18 matches against the Blues. They might rest some key players against winless Moana Pasifika and will back themselves to halt the Waratahs momentum on home soil. Their last-round match against the Hurricanes could decide which one of those teams finishes second or third. The Crusaders points differential is +122.
 
Blues


Current position: 5
Current points: 34
Remaining matches:
Reds (a)
Hurricanes (h)
Highlanders (h)
Possible maximum points: 49


The Blues defended bravely against the Crusaders, but their lack of possession suggested they were outclassed. Captain Dalton Papalii faces the prospect of suspension following his red card, lock Sam Darry was injured. The Reds epic win against the Chiefs has the potential to rejuvenate their season. Fraser McReight is on fire and with three wins in their past four matches the Reds are a different proposition. Local derbies against the Hurricanes and the Highlanders mean the Blues will be hard-pressed to secure a home quarter-final.
 
Waratahs


Current position: 6
Current points: 26
Remaining matches:
Drua (h)
Crusaders (a)
Moana (h)
Possible maximum points: 41


The Waratahs forwards eventually overwhelmed the Melbourne Rebels. A powerful scrum and lineout drive will present Fijian Drua with considerable difficulty. The Waratahs growing confidence will give them some optimism they can repeat their 2022 success against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Moana Pasifika is the best possible finish. The Waratahs should retain sixth place.


Queensland Reds


Current position: 7
Current points: 23
Remaining matches:
Blues (h)
Highlanders (a)
Drua (a)
Possible maximum points: 38


The Reds run home isn’t kind with two away fixtures and a home engagement with the Blues. However, their historic win against the Chiefs on Friday night is an immersible boost in confidence. Another upset win against an injury-ravaged Blues on Friday would go some way toward securing a playoff berth. 


Western Force


Current position: 8
Current points: 18
Remaining matches:
Brumbies (h)
Rebels (a)
Chiefs (h)
Possible maximum points: 33


The Force jumped three places to eighth with their win over Fijian Drua. With two of the top three sides to play it would be an amazing feat for the Force to stay in playoff contention but at least those fixtures are at home. The Rebels away is winnable.
 
Fijian Drua


Current position: 9
Current points: 17
Remaining matches:
Waratahs (a)
Moana (h)
Reds (h)
Possible maximum points: 32


The Drua dropped to ninth with a disappointing loss to the Rebels. The Waratahs in Sydney is a tough ask while the Reds fixture in Suva in a fortnight could be one of the games of the season with both desperate for a playoff spot. Moana Pasifika won’t be a walk in the park either.
 
Melbourne Rebels


Current position: 10
Current points: 15
Remaining matches:
Highlanders (a)
Force (h)
Brumbies (a)
Possible maximum points: 30


The Rebels have lost 6 of 11 games by ten points or less this season and led the Waratahs 14-0 in as many minutes last Saturday. The Rebels best is very good, but their lack of consistency hurts. Two away games to finish means they’ll be hard-pushed to make the playoffs. A win against the Highlanders in Dunedin though could change that.


Highlanders


Current position: 11
Current points: 15
Remaining matches:
Rebels (h)
Reds (h)
Blues (a)
Possible maximum points: 30


The Highlanders have lost five games on the bounce but home fixtures against the Rebels and Reds provide them a reasonable chance of climbing the table though the Reds win over the Chiefs elevates their threat markedly. The Blues away is a game the Highlanders have not feared in well recently. 


Moana Pasifika

Current position: 12
Current points: 3
Remaining matches:
Crusaders (h)
Fijian Drua (a)
Waratahs (a)
Possible maximum points: 18


Moana Pasifika suffered their biggest loss of the season last Saturday and face an earnest test against the Crusaders in Christchurch this weekend. If the match against Fijian Dura is anything like their first tussle in 2023 we are in for a treat.