They might not be playing to stay alive in the competition, but Stephen Larkham says he’s approaching Saturday’s qualifying final as a must-win match regardless of whether there is no significant consequence of the result.

A bizarre quirk in Super Rugby Pacific’s new-look finals series, where the winners of the three qualifying finals and the so-called ‘lucky loser’, means whoever goes down in the Brumbies’ home clash against the Hurricanes might now bow out of the competition.

That will occur if heavy favourites the Chiefs, who topped the Super Rugby standings, beat the sixth-placed Blues and the Crusaders account for the Queensland Reds on Friday night.

The unusual situation occurred after Super Rugby officials selected the Saturday night timeslot to hold the final qualifying match of the weekend between the third and fourth ranked sides.

The decision was justified to ensure the highest possible broadcast reach.

Despite the match possibly being meaningless, Larkham named his strongest possible side, including fit-again captain Allan Alaalatoa, on Wednesday.

“We are the last game this weekend, but we’ve been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field,” Larkham said.

“Irrespective of the other results, we need to know that we’re playing well. We can’t get distracted by these other games and the other results.

“Realistically, the Chiefs and Crusaders are in really good form. But when you look at their opponents, the Blues and Reds, are also in exceptional form. We don’t know where those games are going to go.

“The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we have our best performance this weekend.”

Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been named to start. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Whether Larkham sees it like that on Saturday night remains to be seen.

The Brumbies will know whether they are secure and heading across the ditch about an hour before kick-off on Saturday evening, with the Chiefs’ home clash against the Blues due to finish around 6:50pm AEST.

If they are safe regardless, Larkham could make some late changes or tactical ones in the second half to ensure they are fit and healthy ahead of a date across the Tasman against either the Chiefs or Crusaders.

Former Wallabies and Brumbies star Matt To’omua said Larkham would have to think of the bigger picture if the earlier results went as expected.

“You should (consider it),” To’omua said on The Roar Rugby podcast.

“Will Bernie [Larkham] do it? Traditionally he wouldn’t. He very much plays the underdog card. But I think he’s come a long way coaching wise and strategically, I’d 100 per cent be doing that because it’s not like the Chiefs at home is way harder than the Crusaders at home. It’d be a flip of the coin, really.

“You’d be giving the players a rev-up but in the background you’d probably be making a few strategic decisions, where you’d go ‘OK, is this smart, what’s the best way to prepeare for next week’, because ultimately that’s all that matters.”

Stephen Larkham says he’s got to prepare his side like they’re playing for their season regardless of a flaw in the finals schedule. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Reds last week had a similar decision to make with Les Kiss’ side unable to move from their fifth spot after the Hurricanes smoked Moana Pasifika to seal fourth spot on the regular standings.

Although Kiss brought off several players early in the second half, replacement playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips suffered a concussion and was therefore ruled out of their qualifying final against the Crusaders.

A scare also went through Australian rugby when incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson copped a hit to his arm and was forced off. Fortunately, the Reds back-rower was cleared of any injury earlier in the week and was named by Kiss to take on the New Zealand heavyweights along with winger Tim Ryan.

Meanwhile, Larkham said that he didn’t hesitate to name captain Allan Alaalatoa despite the tight-head prop coming back from a calf injury.

“He rehabbed really well, so back to full training last week before we got to the game against Crusaders, and he’s had a good week so far this week,” Larkham said.

“He ticked everything off in terms of all the rehab markers with his strength, running, contact, and he’s ready to go.”