Rugby: Pressure lifts as Super Rugby crunch time approaches

Super Rugby has already reached crunch time with seven rounds left.

Just nine points separate second from second to last in 2019, and while the Crusaders and Hurricanes have a points buffer, the rest of the Kiwi conference is on the cusp of the top eight.

The Chiefs have just three wins but are only six points adrift.

The whole South African conference is in the running, while the Sunwolves are the only side from the Aussie draw out of contention.

Make or break games often bring conservative play but don't expect that from the Highlanders.

"The worst thing we can do," said assistant coach Mark Hammett. "In fact that's probably something we'd done over the last couple of weeks is actually be a bit more expressive about our game."

Blues coach Leon MacDonald estimates his team needs 24 points of a maximum 35 points to comfortably make the playoffs.

Make or break games often bring conservative play but don't expect that from the Highlanders.

This season's unpredictability is a major factor in its closeness. Only 57 percent of games have been won at home.

With the table set to change dramatically each round, every result is tangible for players.

"If you go over there and do the job…there'll be a massive confidence boost going into this last stretch," said Blues forward Dalton Papali'i.

Super Rugby is suddenly the close competition fans have been begging for.

Newshub.