The Hurricanes and Blues will be battling for a place in the Super 14 play-offs when they meet in Auckland on Friday evening, ahead of a weekend of endless permutations.

The Wellington side are second in the standings, behind leaders Crusaders, while the Blues are back in sixth spot, four points behind their opponents.

The Crusaders have already secured one of the play-off berths, leaving six teams to compete for the remaining three spots.

A bonus point could be enough to see the Hurricanes through and they will be boosted by the inclusion of their number eight Jerry Collins (pictured).

The New Zealand international has been absent with a rib injury for three weeks and his return will help the Hurricanes' chances of posting a fourth successive win.

The Blues need a bonus-point victory to keep alive their play-off hopes and will be determined to give their departing coach David Nucifora a winning send off.

The Crusaders welcome back Dan Carter and Ruben Thorne for their game with the Highlanders, but the most interesting match of Saturday sees third-place Waratahs travel to local rivals Queensland Reds.

There is little love lost between the two sides ahead of this local' derby and the NSW team needs a win to make sure of a final-four spot.

Waratahs coach Ewen McEnzie has annoyed his opponents by delaying the announcement of his starting XV while most of the team have chosen to train on Friday instead of attending a pre-match luncheon hosted by the Reds.

The Reds are back in 10th place with no chance of making the play-offs but they will take great pleasure in spoiling the Waratahs' party.

Fourth-placed Stormers are just two points behind the Waratahs and have arguably the best chance of making the semis as the travel to basement outfit the Lions.

The Johannesburg club will be looking for a bonus-point haul from their visit to the Cape but will be wary of the fact that the Lions, who have won only twice all season, beat the Chiefs last week.

That leaves the Sharks and Chiefs, placed fifth and seventh respectively, as the two remaining sides in with a play-off chance.

The injury-hit Chiefs have not enjoyed their trip to South Africa and although there is a good chance Brendan Leonard will be back in action, they will do well to finish the regular season on a winning note.

The Sharks will know what they need to do by kick off time and are likely to prove too strong for their visitors.

The other games at the weekend see the Brumbies travel to Perth to play Western Force on Friday and the Cheetahs welcome the Bulls in Bloemfontein. Neither game has a bearing on the play-offs.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport