The Wrap: The final eight and Wallabies 23 start to take shape
The Brumbies’ excellent win in Pretoria against the Bulls – their best performance of the season – looks like playing a significant part in shaping the final eight, making it more likely that Australia will now contribute two teams to the playoff series.It is now only the Sharks who stand in the way of the prospect of both the Waratahs and Rebels enjoying post-season action, and with the Durban-ites now out of commission until after the International window, both Australian contenders are in control of their own destinies.The Brumbies’ win came after they were – for the second week running – reduced to 14 men in the second half, when hooker Folau Fainga’a was shown a red card.His so-called headbutt might have been softer than Saharan butter, but Fainga’a can have no complaints on the grounds of his sheer stupidity, having no right to carry on with things after it was his own illegal clean-out that created a ruckus in the first place.As is often the case, there was only one team in it after the send-off, and that was the Brumbies.Tom Banks’ 75m solo effort to give them the lead was outstanding, before Andrew Muirhead clinically finished things off five minutes later.After his side’s professional win against the Sunwolves, Rebels coach Dave Wessels was understandably reluctant to look too far ahead, but two wins from their remaining four matches (Blues A, Waratahs H, Reds A, Highlanders A) will almost certainly get them there, while one win might even do the job, depending on how the Sharks fare.The Rebels have looked at their best this season when they play directly, and Wessels and captain Adam Coleman were delighted at what was a dominant physical performance, albeit against a plucky but undermanned side.The Rebels also made a couple of promising deposits into their future fund, with man-mountain prop Pone Fa’amausili and promising flyhalf Tayler Adams making their Super Rugby debuts.In a rare Friday night stinker from New Zealand, the Crusaders dominated a very disappointing Hurricanes side, 24-13, to reclaim top spot on the ladder.While much of the talk afterwards centred around lacklustre performances by Beauden and Jordie Barrett, the tale of this match was told up front, the Crusaders’ pack far stronger, more tactically aware and more effective as a unit than their opponent.The champagne rugby was reserved for Hamilton where, in one of the best matches of the season, the Chiefs and Waratahs put on a show full of attacking intent and no shortage of skill and rapid ball movement.There were outstanding individuals across the park.Brodie Retallick and a sharply primed Brad Weber starred for the Chiefs, while Kurtley Beale and Michael Hooper shone for the Waratahs.The Waratahs played well enough to win, but were perhaps unlucky to strike the Chiefs in one of their best performances for some time.A match of this quality deserved more than the customary limp kick into touch after the final siren, and Damien McKenzie duly obliged, his evasion skill