MikeAqua:

 

Based on the weekend performances ... 

 

Hurricanes should easily clean up the Blues. 

 

The other semi is harder for me to pic.

 

Crusaders were fantastic on attack, but let far too many tries in against the Blues.

 

Chiefs were clinical in patches but unconvincing in others.  They're usually a strong defensive team.  Their +/- is 90 ahead of the Crusaders and second only to the Canes.

 

If the Crusaders are sloppy on D again, or if they get a strict ref, I think they'll lose. 

 

On balance ... I'm guessing a Canes-Chiefs final.

 

Yeah, I agree with this.  However, one extra thing to consider is the mental aspect of playing in knockout finals games.  They're like A Game of Thrones - you win or you die.  Historically, the Saders have been extremely good at that, while the Chiefs have been rather bad.  IMO, it's the mental toughness/frailty which evens this semi up, where the Chiefs would otherwise probably be warm favourites.