25 April, 2002
6 games to go in the regular season and this is how it stands.
In New Zealand, Auckland and Otago have nearly wrapped those final two spots. Both will be anchoring to grab that 3rd spot and avoid the Steamrollers in that first round.
Auckland will have three games against Canterbury and Northland to finish the season. Otago meanwhile have Wellington and Waikato to finish it off.
In Australia, Adelaide have put a 7-14 record in April so far and left themselves exposed to surrender that final spot after holding onto it for months. With a three game series against Canberra coming up, the Power have an amazing chance to take control in Australia.
Newcastle have pretty much bundled up that third spot while a battle is on for that fourth spot between Illawarra and Queensland. They have a three game that will go a long way to determining that outcome.