The Brumbies and NSW Waratahs face an uphill battle to ensure Australia have representation in the Super 14 finals series ahead of what looms as a dramatic final round.

Seven teams are shooting for four finals berths with six competition points separating the contenders who are spread across three countries.

The fifth-placed Brumbies and seventh-placed Waratahs are among four teams within one competition point of fourth on a congested leaderboard which could even see the pace-setting Bulls miss out on a finals berth.

Unlikely as it seems, the Bulls (42) could conceivably miss the playoffs with a heavy loss to the sixth-placed Sharks (36) in Durban and if other results went against them.

The Brumbies (37) could even claw their way into the top four with a loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night, if they get two bonus points and other results go their way.

"It's an interesting way for the competition to come to a climax - one round to go and still plenty of footy to be played," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.

"The final make-up probably won't be decided until after the Bulls and the Sharks game, so it's going to go down to the wire."

At least the Brumbies, desperate to make the playoffs for the first time since winning the Super 12 in 2004, control their own destiny.

A bonus-point win over the second-placed Chiefs (41) - if coupled by denying the home side their own bonus point - would see the Brumbies leapfrog the red-hot attackers from the Waikato.

It's a luxury NSW don't possess as the Waratahs (36) must beat the Lions in Johannesburg and hope at least three teams above them fall over.

As hard as it is to see that happening, the Sharks, Brumbies and defending champion Crusaders - who play arch-rivals the Blues in Auckland - all face challenging final rounds.

In contrast, the third-placed Hurricanes (39) should cement a playoff appearance by overpowering a depleted Queensland in Brisbane on Saturday night.

It would have been so much easier for all involved if governing body SANZAR stuck with original plans to extend the finals series from four to six this season.

On top of the tough race for the top four, the fight for top two positions and a home semi-final should be almost as intense.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes the Bulls can put a major deposit on their second Super 14 title if they kill off the Sharks and ensure their final games are played in Pretoria.

"If the Bulls finish up top, then they'll be a challenge because they've got that unique circumstance of the high veldt and the travel and history would suggest that no-one has ever travelled twice (during the finals) and won," Deans said.

Only twice in 13 years of Super rugby - in 1998 and 2007 - have no Australian teams featured in the playoffs.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP