The Highlanders could be dining at the Super rugby top table come Sunday morning or be out the back in the wash house. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the best and the worst outcomes for the southern franchise.
The dream scenario
The Blues run on to their beloved Eden Park and deal to the Chiefs by something like 36-12. Good enough to keep the Chiefs on 40 points. Then over in Canberra, the Brumbies beat the Force 18-8, in a boring try-less encounter.
The Highlanders then simply blow away the Crusaders, to win 38-12 and deny the home side a bonus point, while scoring five themselves.
Then over in South Africa the fast-finishing Stormers give the Sharks their second loss in a row, winning 25-6.
That will leave the Highlanders in second place with a week off next week and a home semifinal to look forward to.
The nightmare scenario
The Blues walk on to fortress Eden Park and play like a rabble, conceding tries at will and losing by plenty. The Chiefs vault into the playoffs and the Blues go away to cry into their lattes.
The Brumbies and the Force then play out a high-scoring 44-44 draw, with each team scoring five tries, five conversions and three penalties.
Then the Highlanders come out and get smashed by the Crusaders and score one penalty in the fifth minute, losing 48-3.
The Sharks win big. That leaves the Highlanders in seventh with the Chiefs, Brumbies and Force now ahead of them. And the playoff wait for the southern men continues ...
Super rugby: Points table
Waratahs ... 53
Crusaders ... 46
Sharks ... 46
Highlanders ... 42
Hurricanes ... 41
Brumbies ... 40
Force ... 40
Chiefs ... 40