Super Rugby 2025
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@Tim said in Super Rugby 2025:
If theyr'e going to have a "lucky loser" then that team should drop to the bottom spot.
Couple of things to consider here.
1/ That effectively means whether you're seeded first, second, third or fourth, the 'lucky loser' reward is the same if you're the only loser in that contingent.
2/ Probably more importantly - and I'm sure they consulted with the teams on this - it can unfairly punish higher-ranked sides who don't lose. If the Chiefs were to lose against the Blues this weekend then suddenly the Crusaders would end up playing the minor premiers in their next match, which probably isn't an ideal outcome for them.
That's not to say this isn't a silly system at all, just that there are a lot of factors that have to be weighed up when introducting the whole lucky loser concept. There's really no good system with a six-team final.
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They would have been better off doing a top 7 and the top seed gets a bye
That way they get their 3 games in playoff week 1 yet no lucky loser bullshit
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
They would have been better off doing a top 7 and the top seed gets a bye
That way they get their 3 games in playoff week 1 yet no lucky loser bullshit
They would've consulted on this too and I'm sure every team would have said they don't want a bye going into the finals. It was useful when the competition was cross-continental, but otherwise it's a massive momentum killer.
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Yeah, there's no prefect system with an 11 team comp, especially if you want all playoff teams playing with no byes.
I'd prefer no byes because as already mentioned, it can be a momentum killer, for the team and fans alike.
8 out of 11 playoff teams is too many.
4 is too few (in my opinion anyway).
5 would be a good number, but how do you get 5 down to 4 then 2, without it being convoluted.
6 I like, but as mentioned before, the scheduling of 3v4 last is just daft.
The downside of the current system is that the lucky loser could be the 4th ranked team.
So if 1,2 & 3 win then 4 gets rewarded for lossing, and as they are already the lowest seed they don't get punished.I hope either the chiefs or the crusaders lose (especially the chiefs, I'm a blues fan) so as the Brumbies v hurricanes match isn't a dud.
Having said that, I'm happy to see how it plays out.
This round is just to determine the semifinal line up, then it's total knockout. -
Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
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Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
@Landers92 said in Super Rugby 2025:
Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
Fantastic news. I wonder if that will mean he plays NPC rugby for Wellington, considering he's from here.
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Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
@sparky said in Super Rugby 2025:
Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
This Crusader's team is beatable. The Reds this week, and the Brumbies/Canes next week need to find a way to not get overawed by the Crusaders, the cold and their record.
I still think the Chiefs are favourite if they keep home advantage.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
For anyone still confused on the finals format for this year's competition, below are all the possible playoff scenarios from the quarter finals this week.
Scenario 1
Winners: Chiefs, Crusaders and Brumbies
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Hurricanes (4), Crusaders (2) v Brumbies (3)Scenario 2
Winners: Chiefs, Crusaders and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Brumbies (4), Crusaders (2) v Hurricanes (3)Scenario 3
Winners: Chiefs, Reds and Brumbies
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Reds (4), Brumbies (2) v Crusaders (3)Scenario 4
Winners: Chiefs, Reds and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Reds (4), Hurricanes (2) v Crusaders (3)Scenario 5
Winners: Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies
Semifinals: Crusaders (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Brumbies (3)Scenario 6
Winners: Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Crusaders (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Hurricanes (3)Scenario 7
Winners: Blues, Reds and Brumbies
Semifinals: Brumbies (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Reds (3)Scenario 8
Winners: Blues, Reds and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Hurricanes (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Reds (3)Thanks for taking the time to do this
But with 8 possible scenarios it just emphasises how fucking retarded the whole thing is
English Premiership
Top 4 teams involved
2 Semis
1 FinalIt's not fucking rocket science
@MiketheSnow said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
For anyone still confused on the finals format for this year's competition, below are all the possible playoff scenarios from the quarter finals this week.
Scenario 1
Winners: Chiefs, Crusaders and Brumbies
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Hurricanes (4), Crusaders (2) v Brumbies (3)Scenario 2
Winners: Chiefs, Crusaders and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Brumbies (4), Crusaders (2) v Hurricanes (3)Scenario 3
Winners: Chiefs, Reds and Brumbies
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Reds (4), Brumbies (2) v Crusaders (3)Scenario 4
Winners: Chiefs, Reds and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Chiefs (1) v Reds (4), Hurricanes (2) v Crusaders (3)Scenario 5
Winners: Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies
Semifinals: Crusaders (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Brumbies (3)Scenario 6
Winners: Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Crusaders (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Hurricanes (3)Scenario 7
Winners: Blues, Reds and Brumbies
Semifinals: Brumbies (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Reds (3)Scenario 8
Winners: Blues, Reds and Hurricanes
Semifinals: Hurricanes (1) v Blues (4), Chiefs (2) v Reds (3)Thanks for taking the time to do this
But with 8 possible scenarios it just emphasises how fucking retarded the whole thing is
English Premiership
Top 4 teams involved
2 Semis
1 FinalIt's not fucking rocket science
Which is what I prefer, but also I think when we look at it's not rocket science, they get paid by how many games are on tv, and finals rate higher. Hell I would drop finals altogether and have first past post which is an indication of whole season.
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@MiketheSnow said in Super Rugby 2025:
But with 8 possible scenarios it just emphasises how fucking retarded the whole thing is
It's all about maximising the games played to please the broadcasters. Common sense never applies.
@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2025:
@MiketheSnow said in Super Rugby 2025:
But with 8 possible scenarios it just emphasises how fucking retarded the whole thing is
It's all about maximising the games played to please the broadcasters. Common sense never applies.
This is modern Super. It's not 'best rugby' any more, it's driven by broadcaster imperatives. Which ironically weakens the comp and makes it less valuable.
12 teams. Full round robin. Semis and finals. Epic. It worked.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2025:
@MiketheSnow said in Super Rugby 2025:
But with 8 possible scenarios it just emphasises how fucking retarded the whole thing is
It's all about maximising the games played to please the broadcasters. Common sense never applies.
This is modern Super. It's not 'best rugby' any more, it's driven by broadcaster imperatives. Which ironically weakens the comp and makes it less valuable.
12 teams. Full round robin. Semis and finals. Epic. It worked.
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
This is modern Super. It's not 'best rugby' any more, it's driven by broadcaster imperatives
..and one of things they want to avoid is a 4 teams finals with no Aussies. In most year all that would take is the Brumbies to have a below par season
6 teams makes it much more likely that there are 2 Aussie sides. Brumbies are a small market so they really want a NSW or Queensland there
Yes it distorts things but that's the reality
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I honestly don't know what is answer, what I will say when you have 4 team finals (my preference, after first past post) you will have moans because there too many meaningless games towards end regular season too. I dislike we have to make comp what TV wants, but let's face it ,unless we want amateur comp with no payments we got to listen to what the man with money wants? I not aware of many pro sports who don't do what tv wants.
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Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
@sparky said in Super Rugby 2025:
Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
I wasn't aware Razor was coach and Mo'unga was at 10 this month
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@sparky said in Super Rugby 2025:
Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
I wasn't aware Razor was coach and Mo'unga was at 10 this month
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@sparky said in Super Rugby 2025:
Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
I wasn't aware Razor was coach and Mo'unga was at 10 this month
I'd argue Sam Whitelock was the most important piece out of the lot when it came to that title run. The experience he brought to the Crusaders I feel is somewhat underrated amongst pundits and the media, Mo'unga definitely gets a lot of the plaudits, but Whitelock was the key ingredient IMO.
I remember one year, Whitelock came back early from overseas, the Crusaders weren't looking good at the time and then Whitelock managed to steady the ship. As a Canes fan, I always saw the Saders as a much tougher proposition with Whitelock in the side than not as he was such a dominant presence at set piece.
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@Landers92 said in Super Rugby 2025:
Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
Fantastic news. I wonder if that will mean he plays NPC rugby for Wellington, considering he's from here.
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Fantastic news. I wonder if that will mean he plays NPC rugby for Wellington, considering he's from here.
You may like to read this to set the record straight
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Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
@Landers92 said in Super Rugby 2025:
Will post in here because there’s no Canes 2026 thread.
Some inside word on Warner Dearns to carry on from yesterday discussion. I put some feelers out and got told this.
The Hurricanes have got him but it’s all very under wraps right now. His team in Japan is announcing he is heading off over the next week or 2 and then the Hurricanes will follow suit - It’s a 2026 only sabbatical to my understanding at this stage.
There you go Canes fans. Big news.
Is that loan with opportunity to buy? (Using football parlance)
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Fantastic news. I wonder if that will mean he plays NPC rugby for Wellington, considering he's from here.
You may like to read this to set the record straight
@Higgins said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Fantastic news. I wonder if that will mean he plays NPC rugby for Wellington, considering he's from here.
You may like to read this to set the record straight
He was Welly born so he was here first.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@sparky said in Super Rugby 2025:
Given the amazing record in recent years in the Super Rugby playoffs, surely the Crusaders should be seen as the most likely team to lift the trophy this year.
I wasn't aware Razor was coach and Mo'unga was at 10 this month
I'd argue Sam Whitelock was the most important piece out of the lot when it came to that title run. The experience he brought to the Crusaders I feel is somewhat underrated amongst pundits and the media, Mo'unga definitely gets a lot of the plaudits, but Whitelock was the key ingredient IMO.
I remember one year, Whitelock came back early from overseas, the Crusaders weren't looking good at the time and then Whitelock managed to steady the ship. As a Canes fan, I always saw the Saders as a much tougher proposition with Whitelock in the side than not as he was such a dominant presence at set piece.
@Canes4life We probably had better cover for Sam than Richie. For what it's worth:
Razor's overall winning percentage at the Crusaders was 83.7%.
It goes up to 85% for games that Sam played in and falls to 81.1% for games Sam didn't play.
But it goes up to 87.1% for games Richie played and falls to just 70.8% when Richie didn't play.
Richie played 93/117 games (81 wins); Sam played 80/117 games (68 wins).
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@Canes4life We probably had better cover for Sam than Richie. For what it's worth:
Razor's overall winning percentage at the Crusaders was 83.7%.
It goes up to 85% for games that Sam played in and falls to 81.1% for games Sam didn't play.
But it goes up to 87.1% for games Richie played and falls to just 70.8% when Richie didn't play.
Richie played 93/117 games (81 wins); Sam played 80/117 games (68 wins).
@Chris-B said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life We probably had better cover for Sam than Richie. For what it's worth:
Razor's overall winning percentage at the Crusaders was 83.7%.
It goes up to 85% for games that Sam played in and falls to 81.1% for games Sam didn't play.
But it goes up to 87.1% for games Richie played and falls to just 70.8% when Richie didn't play.
Richie played 93/117 games (81 wins); Sam played 80/117 games (68 wins).
That's interesting, I'm not saying Mo'unga wasn't influential because he is the most successful Super 10 the Crusaders have had and it's obvious in those numbers, but I just feel Whitelock isn't mentioned enough when people speak about that 7 year title run. To me, the Saders simply don't win all those titles without him.
He's the GOAT lock in my view.
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@Chris-B said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life We probably had better cover for Sam than Richie. For what it's worth:
Razor's overall winning percentage at the Crusaders was 83.7%.
It goes up to 85% for games that Sam played in and falls to 81.1% for games Sam didn't play.
But it goes up to 87.1% for games Richie played and falls to just 70.8% when Richie didn't play.
Richie played 93/117 games (81 wins); Sam played 80/117 games (68 wins).
That's interesting, I'm not saying Mo'unga wasn't influential because he is the most successful Super 10 the Crusaders have had and it's obvious in those numbers, but I just feel Whitelock isn't mentioned enough when people speak about that 7 year title run. To me, the Saders simply don't win all those titles without him.
He's the GOAT lock in my view.
