UQ and GPS have secured the first two spots in the Premier Rugby playoffs but Wests, Brothers and Bond still have everything to play for in the final three rounds. 

We took a look at what each of the sides face in the weeks ahead and did our best to predict how the first week of the finals may look.

UQ – 1st (70 pts): GPS (H), Bye, Wests (A)

An ideal end to the regular season for UQ. The title favourites play two tough matches against GPS and Wests with a bye in the middle to freshen up the group. 

Mick Heenan may also choose to rest players against Wests in the final round to avoid injuries but that might prove to be too little footy heading into finals. 

GPS – 2nd (57 pts): UQ (A), Wests (H), Brothers (A)

This one is interesting. Jeeps have second spot locked up but play three finals’ rivals in the final three rounds. It’s hard to imagine GPS sending out a second string team to play Brothers, so does  Shane Arnold rest players for the round 17 clash against Wests? 

Regardless, Jeeps should be in a strong position heading in to the playoffs. 

Wests – 3rd (41 pts): Bond (H), GPS (A), UQ (H)

The Bulldogs are third with three weeks remaining but haven’t beaten a team in the top six since round five, all the way back in early May. 

They’ve got three tough clashes ahead of them but may run in to understrength UQ and GPS teams in their final two matches. A win on Saturday over Bond would give Wests’ finals hopes a massive boost. 

Brothers – 4th (39 pts): Sunnybank (H), Bond (A), GPS (H)

A three point loss to Easts on Saturday means Brothers can’t really afford a slip up in the coming weeks. If they can beat Sunnybank this weekend, they’ll have a chance to secure their finals spot a week later on the Gold Coast. 

Alternatively, they may need to beat GPS in the final round to avoid an early Mad Monday. 

Bond Uni – 5th (36pts): Wests (A), Brothers (H), Souths (A)

Back to back losses to UQ and Jeeps has put pressure on Bond heading into the final rounds. They could potentially leapfrog Wests or Brothers into the playoffs if they can beat one of them in the coming fortnight. 

If they can do that, they’ll face Souths in the final round while Wests and Brothers play UQ and Jeeps respectively. 

Easts – 6th (29 pts): Souths (A), Norths (H), Bye

Easts have been a different team in the backend of the season but will be left to rue their slow start to the season. 

The defending premiers will be hoping to finish with two wins in the coming two weeks. 

Souths – 7th (21 pts): Easts (H), Sunnybank (A), Bond (H)

Souths won’t be playing finals footy this year, but would like their chances in all three of their remaining matches. 

Sunnybank – 8th (16pts): Brothers (A), Souths (H), Norths (A)

Sunnybank can shatter Brothers’ hearts and their finals hopes with an upset this weekend. They’ll then play two important clashes against Souths and Norths in the final two weeks. 

Norths – 9th (12 pts): Bye, Easts (A), Sunnybank (H)

Norths claimed their second win of the year on Saturday and could avoid the wooden spoon by upsetting Easts and then beating Sunnybank in the final round.