Mitre 10 Cup Permutations

Only one side in the whole of the Mitre 10 Cup knows its finishing position with one round left in the round robin stage of the competition.

Championship Permutations

Wellington has secured top spot in the championship having only lost one game - to Tasman - so far this season. They are 17 points clear of 2nd placed Northland and will host their semi-final against whoever finishes in 4th place.

Southland and Hawke's Bay are the only two sides in the championship that will have no chance of making the playoff with Southland having only collected one point in this season. 

Only 4 points separate 2nd placed Northland and 5th Otago, while Manawatu (4th place) have a game in hand over the other sides. 

Northland will be up against on Thursday when they face Championship leaders Wellington. The Taniwha will need a win in this match to secure 2nd spot but they could mathematically get a playoff spot with a loss. 

An interesting match sees Bay of Plenty host Waikato. Waikato will need to win the match - and hope Canterbury beat Auckland - to avoid relegation, while the Bay will need a victory to stay in the running for a playoff spot. 

Manawatu have a huge week ahead of them as they will have the opportunity to claim the Ranfurly Shield and a playoff spot in one foul swoop. The Turbos will face Taranaki on Wednesday and Hawke's Bay on Sunday.

There are 10 possible points up for grabs for Manawatu this round, they will only need 5 points to claim a semi-final spot, while 9 points will guarantee them a home semi-final. 

Otago has a shot at making the playoffs if any of the teams placed 2-4 slip up. Otago face host Southland on Saturday and head into the match as clear favourites as Southland have failed to win a single match this season.

Premiership Permutations 

Canterbury, Taranaki, North Habour and Tasman have been confirmed as the four Premiership sides and this weekend's action will decide where they play their semi-final and where. 

Canterbury & Taranaki are tied at the top of the Premiership standings following Taranaki's Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury in the last round. 

Canterbury do have a superior point difference but Taranaki have a game in hand and could claim top spot. But it won't be an easy task for Taranaki as they defend the Ranfurly Shield against Manawatu, and have another game on Sunday against North Harbour.

A losing bonus almost certainly give Canterbury a top 2 finish while 2 points for either Taranaki and Canterbury will secure home semis for the two sides.

Canterbury will travel to Eden Park to face a struggling Auckland side who are flirting with relegation. If Canterbury win the match they will have a home semi-final, while a defeat for Auckland could see them be relegated for the first time in their history.

If Auckland were to lose to Canterbury they will know their fate the following day when Bay of Plenty face Waikato. If Waikato win that match, they will avoid relegation and Auckland will be relegated. One factor that could bring it down to points difference is if Auckland picked up two bonus points while losing to Canterbury and Waikato beat Bay of Plenty without a bonus point. 

Counties Manukau and Tasman face off on Saturday. Tasman can't finish higher than 3rd place while Counties could fall to 6th place if Auckland beat Canterbury.