Overview

• Chiefs will host the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday, June 7, and enter the playoffs as title favorites after topping the standings under departing coach Clayton McMillan.
• Crusaders will open the playoffs against the Reds in Christchurch on Friday, June 6, aiming to protect a 16-game home playoff unbeaten streak.
• The six-team bracket features a 'lucky loser' slot that could advance both the Brumbies and Hurricanes to the semifinals if the top two seeds prevail.
• Australian sides have lost all 19 of their playoff matches in New Zealand, a drought the Reds and Brumbies are determined to break.
• Key playmakers Damian McKenzie and Tom Lynagh are poised to influence the Chiefs’ attacking tempo and the Reds’ goal-kicking reliability, respectively.