Queensland reds
Crusaders thrash Reds as New Zealand sides dominate
The Crusaders underlined the growing divide in the tournament with a stunning early blitz, where they ran in four sizzling tries within the opening 30 minutes.
The Reds have overtaken the Brumbies as Australia's most consistent team this year, losing only once in an outstanding season that has included two victories over their Canberra-based rivals.
They won five from eight then beat the Melbourne Rebels in last weekend's playoff, and go into Saturday's crunch clash in Canberra buoyed by convincingly upsetting the Brumbies 26-7 this month.
Jordan Petaia, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu all scored tries in a bruising encounter to ensure the Reds made their first decider since winning the southern hemisphere Super 14 competition in 2011.
Limited numbers of fans were allowed in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium as the nation slowly reopens after the coronavirus pandemic, and they enjoyed a 32-26 nail-biter in the first live rugby in almost four months.
Andries Coetzee will don the number 15 jersey.
The New Zealanders scored three tries to one despite being outplayed for most of the match and failing to notch a point in the second half.
Sharks remained sixth overall after suffering a fourth defeat in six home matches this season, with their poor form at Kings Park leading to a small Easter holiday crowd.
The 28-year-old failed drug tests in February and May this year, and said he had been suffering depression.
The Stormers have made three changes in the forward pack and one in the backline for their clash with the Queensland Reds at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.
Springbok fullback, Warrick Gelant will make his first Super Rugby start of the season for the Blue Bulls when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday morning.
Higginbotham was sent off as early as the 10th minute for a shoulder barge into the neck and head area of Rebels lock Matt Phillip.
The table-topping Sharks kept up their 100 percent record with a 35-20 victory over the Reds.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will make his return to top-class rugby on Saturday.
Ewen McKenzie has only six weeks to revive a demoralised Australia ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Queensland Reds have beaten Otago Highlanders in their Super Rugby match.
Ben Tapuai scored two tries to help the Queensland Reds to a 25-17 victory over the Waratahs.
The Sharks blew away the Queensland Reds on Saturday to reach the Super Rugby semi-finals.
The Queensland Reds will take on the Sharks without Quade Cooper in the first week of the finals.