Super Rugby News

Stargazer

@Kruse Haha, yes, I'm naively hoping that there may still be some good sports journos out there. Silly me! :person_facepalming_tone3:

Kruse

@Stargazer You have to wonder if the only reason it's being reported on now was that SANZAAR "prompted" them to do so, as it's long past time people were warned.

Kruse

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer You have to wonder if the only reason it's being reported on now was that SANZAAR "prompted" them to do so, as it's long past time people were warned.

I see the jaapies noticed back in January.
And the aussies - well, it's irrelevant to them really, isn't it?

Crucial

So with all teams now even on games played (14) the situation is

Crusaders 63 (v Hurricanes / 68-63 / 1 or 2 )
Lions 61 (v Sharks / 65-61 / 1 or 2 )
Stormers 39 (v Bulls / 44-39 / 3 )
Brumbies 34 (v Chiefs / 39-34 / 4 )
Hurricanes 54 (v Crusaders / 59-54 / 5 or 6)
Chiefs 53 (v Brumbies / 58-53 / 5 or 6)
Highlanders 46 (v Reds / 51-46 / 7 or 8 )
Sharks 42 (v Lions / 47-42 / 7 or 8 )

So (my guesses at end)

Q1: Crusaders OR Lions V Highlanders OR Sharks (Crusaders v Sharks)
Q2: Crusaders OR Lions V Highlanders OR Sharks (Lions v Highlanders)
Q3: Stormers V Hurricanes OR Chiefs (Stormers v ~~Chiefs~~ Canes)
Q4: Brumbies V Hurricanes OR Chiefs (Brumbies v ~~Hurricanes~~ Chiefs)

S1: Crusaders OR Lions OR Highlanders OR Sharks V Brumbies OR Hurricanes OR Chiefs (Crusaders v ~~Hurricanes~~ Chiefs)
S2: Crusaders OR Lions OR Highlanders OR Sharks V Stormers OR Hurricanes OR Chiefs (Lions v ~~Chiefs~~Canes)

Kruse

@Crucial If I read that right - you're picking the Chiefs to lose to the Brumbies this weekend?

Kruse

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Crucial If I read that right - you're picking the Chiefs to lose to the Brumbies this weekend?

(Or Lions to lose to Sharks?)

Crucial

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Crucial If I read that right - you're picking the Chiefs to lose to the Brumbies this weekend?

No. Confused myself. Sdaers to beat Canes. Chiefs to beat Brumbies

Crucial

The whole 5/6 between Chiefs and Canes is a real puzzler. Not that I think either would throw a game but you really have to wonder which potential route they would want.

Kruse

@Crucial said in Super Rugby News:

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Crucial If I read that right - you're picking the Chiefs to lose to the Brumbies this weekend?

No. Confused myself. Sdaers to beat Canes. Chiefs to beat Brumbies

Yeah - I had to look through it a few times myself to make sure I wasn't making an idiot of myself.
In any case - I guess it's good that at this point, the number of permutations is still so open.
I guess the upside for the Canes is that although at first glance they're getting shafted by the new system... if everything goes as one would expect (pretty much your guesses) - they can travel to SA, play 1 relatively easy game, stay over there - minimal travel, before SF against Lions.

Bovidae

@Stargazer Who reads the media guides?

It will be interesting to see the team lists for the Chiefs-Brumbies and Hurricanes-Crusaders games. The Nags have injury concerns and may rest some players safe in the knowledge they host a QF regardless of the result. If the Chiefs beat them then they could be playing eachother again the following week.

There is more on the line in the other game, and we know what happened in this fixture last year, when the Crusaders lost the chance to be the top seed.

Kruse

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer Who reads the media guides?

It will be interesting to see the team lists for the Chiefs-Brumbies and Hurricanes-Crusaders games. The Nags have injury concerns and may rest some players safe in the knowledge they host a QF regardless of the result. If the Chiefs beat them then they could be playing eachother again the following week.

There is more on the line in the other game, and we know what happened in this fixture last year, when the Crusaders lost the chance to be the top seed.

So - if Canes lose, they're looking at (probably) QF & SF in SouthAfrica, then fly back for a final in Christchurch,
If they win - they're looking at (probably), easy QF in Oz, fly to SA for tough SF, then fly home for a Final in Chch.
(I think)
Would they be considering resting a few players?

Crucial

If the Highlanders have to travel to SA for a quarter I wouldn't write them off beating the Lions. That would mean that the 6th placed team (either Canes or Chiefs) have to go to SA then come back and will get a home game against the Highlanders (who have also traveled back).

It could also mean that seeds 2, 3, 4 and 8 are eliminated
I guess if things go to plan one of the Canes or Chiefs will meet the Crusaders in a semi and the other in a final. However should the Crusaders get beaten in a semi then being 5th rather than 6th could potentially provide a home final.

taniwharugby

I'd back a kiwi side to go to SA and win, it's the game on return that is likely to be that step too far.

Unco

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer Who reads the media guides?

It will be interesting to see the team lists for the Chiefs-Brumbies and Hurricanes-Crusaders games. The Nags have injury concerns and may rest some players safe in the knowledge they host a QF regardless of the result. If the Chiefs beat them then they could be playing eachother again the following week.

There is more on the line in the other game, and we know what happened in this fixture last year, when the Crusaders lost the chance to be the top seed.

So - if Canes lose, they're looking at (probably) QF & SF in SouthAfrica, then fly back for a final in Christchurch,
If they win - they're looking at (probably), easy QF in Oz, fly to SA for tough SF, then fly home for a Final in Chch.
(I think)
Would they be considering resting a few players?

You've messed that up. Whoever finishes fifth will face an easy QF in Oz, a tough SF in Chch and then (potentially) a flight to SA for the final. That's assuming the sixth placed team (Chiefs or Canes) and Landers are knocked out though, if they end up winning their SF then the fifth place team would suddenly have a home final.

Kruse

@Unco said in Super Rugby News:

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer Who reads the media guides?

It will be interesting to see the team lists for the Chiefs-Brumbies and Hurricanes-Crusaders games. The Nags have injury concerns and may rest some players safe in the knowledge they host a QF regardless of the result. If the Chiefs beat them then they could be playing eachother again the following week.

There is more on the line in the other game, and we know what happened in this fixture last year, when the Crusaders lost the chance to be the top seed.

So - if Canes lose, they're looking at (probably) QF & SF in SouthAfrica, then fly back for a final in Christchurch,
If they win - they're looking at (probably), easy QF in Oz, fly to SA for tough SF, then fly home for a Final in Chch.
(I think)
Would they be considering resting a few players?

You've messed that up. Whoever finishes fifth will face an easy QF in Oz, a tough SF in Chch and then (potentially) a flight to SA for the final. That's assuming the sixth placed team (Chiefs or Canes) and Landers are knocked out though, if they end up winning their SF then the fifth place team would suddenly have a home final.

Are you remembering that if the Canes win, Crusaders are probably finishing 2nd?

Unco

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Unco said in Super Rugby News:

@Kruse said in Super Rugby News:

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer Who reads the media guides?

It will be interesting to see the team lists for the Chiefs-Brumbies and Hurricanes-Crusaders games. The Nags have injury concerns and may rest some players safe in the knowledge they host a QF regardless of the result. If the Chiefs beat them then they could be playing eachother again the following week.

There is more on the line in the other game, and we know what happened in this fixture last year, when the Crusaders lost the chance to be the top seed.

So - if Canes lose, they're looking at (probably) QF & SF in SouthAfrica, then fly back for a final in Christchurch,
If they win - they're looking at (probably), easy QF in Oz, fly to SA for tough SF, then fly home for a Final in Chch.
(I think)
Would they be considering resting a few players?

You've messed that up. Whoever finishes fifth will face an easy QF in Oz, a tough SF in Chch and then (potentially) a flight to SA for the final. That's assuming the sixth placed team (Chiefs or Canes) and Landers are knocked out though, if they end up winning their SF then the fifth place team would suddenly have a home final.

Are you remembering that if the Canes win, Crusaders are probably finishing 2nd?