Green grass of home
With the play-offs approaching we took a look at the history books to see how important home ground advantage is in Super Rugby knock-out matches.
This season has been highly competitive, and with one round left in the regular season there are still eight teams who could qualify for the play-offs, but what are the chances of seeing some upsets once we reach the knock-out phase of the competition?
Travel has always been one of the most demanding aspects of Super Rugby, and there have only been nine play-off matches won away from home since 1996, which translates into a win-rate of just 18 percent.
All three knock-out matches in 1999 were won by the visiting side, but apart from that away victories have been few and far between once the competition gets down to its business-end.
The Crusaders' victory that year was the only example where a team that finished outside of the top two went on to win the title, which underlines just how crucial consistency throughout the season is.
This record means that all of the top eight teams have something to play for this weekend, as although the Chiefs and Stormers are assured a spot already they can still both be overtaken.
2011:
Final: Reds beat Crusaders
Semifinal: Reds beat the Blues
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Stormers away
Eliminator: Blues beat Waratahs
Eliminator: Crusaders beat Sharks
2010:
Final: Bulls beat Stormers
Semifinal: Bulls beat Crusaders
Semifinal: Stormers beat Waratahs
2009:
Final: Bulls beat Chiefs
Semifinal: Chiefs beat Hurricanes
Semifinal: Bulls beat Crusaders
2008:
Final: Crusaders beat Waratahs
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Hurricanes
Semifinal: Waratahs beat Sharks
2007:
Final: Bulls beat Sharks away
Semifinal: Sharks beat Blues
Bulls beat Crusaders
2006:
Final: Crusaders beat Hurricanes
Semifinal: Hurricanes beat Waratahs
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Bulls
2005:
Final: Crusaders beat Waratahs
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Hurricanes
Semifinal: Waratahs beat Bulls
2004:
Final: Brumbies beat Crusaders
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Stormers
Semifinal: Brumbies beat Chiefs
2003:
Final:Blues beat Crusaders
Semifinal: Blues beat Brumbies
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Hurricanes
2002:
Final: Crusaders beat Brumbies
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Highlanders
Semifinal: Brumbies beat Waratahs away
2001:
Final: Brumbies beat Sharks
Semifinal: Sharks beat Cats
Semifinal: Brumbies beat Reds
2000:
Final: Crusaders beat Brumbies away
Semifinal: Brumbies beat Cats
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Highlanders
1999:
Final: Crusaders beat Highlanders away
Semifinal: Highlanders beat Stormers away
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Reds away
1998:
Final: Crusaders beat Blues away
Semifinal: Crusaders beat Sharks
Semifinal: Blues beat Highlanders
1997:
Final: Blues beat Brumbies
Semifinal: Brumbies beat Hurricanes
Semifinal: Blues beat Sharks
1996:
Final: Blues beat Sharks
Semifinal: Blues beat Bulls
Semifinal: Sharks beat Reds away
