2018 Super Rugby Finals
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@shadowtrooper said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@kiwimurph I'm glad of the following;
- The four NZ teams have no significant travel
- Two NZ teams host QFs
- The best 8 teams made it anyway, despite the rigged conference system
I always maintained the Aus teams did not deserve a 2nd team in the playoffs the way they have played this season, whilst crediting the Sharks with some good performances, especially in NZ
Shame the Chiefs couldn't have made it a home QF, i go back to that loss against the Jags, that really hurt, and came back to bite them in the end.I thought the Rebels were a touch unlucky not to make it. When fit they were pretty impressive. They have wafer thin depth though and haven’t been able to cover for injuries like other teams.
Really pleased to see Sharks and Jags get in as I’ve enjoyed watching those teams.
As an aside I think this has been the best season in terms of the play and competitiveness since the conference system format began.
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@act-crusader As it worked out if Rebels had kicked the penalty after the siren vs the Jags to get the draw they would have made the playoffs.
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@kiwimurph yeah it’s hard not to look at those moments now and ask what if.
My QF picks:
Hurricane
Crusaders
Highlanders
Jaguares -
@act-crusader All 4 quarterfinals look interesting - Chiefs have a forward pack to really worry the Canes, Sharks have yet to play the Crusaders and look good v nz teams, Tahs are coming off a shocking loss but Highlanders have been leaking a heap of points lately themselves and Jaguares have lost their momentum from before June but don't have to travel as they are already in SA.
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@act-crusader you'll get $7.80 for a head to head multi on that.
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Question - are the Jaguares the first "expansion" team to make the play-offs or did someone like the Cheetahs do it one year?
Pretty sure they'll at least be the first expansion team to win a play-off game if they happen to tip over the Lions. I don't think they will, though.
To counter ACT I'm going to go: Chiefs, Crusaders, Waratahs, Lions.
I reckon the home teams will be hard to beat, but the Canes will be worried!
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@chris-b said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
Question - are the Jaguares the first "expansion" team to make the play-offs or did someone like the Cheetahs do it one year?
Pretty sure they'll at least be the first expansion team to win a play-off game if they happen to tip over the Lions. I don't think they will, though.
To counter ACT I'm going to go: Chiefs, Crusaders, Waratahs, Lions.
I reckon the home teams will be hard to beat, but the Canes will be worried!
Cheetahs made the playoffs in 2013.
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@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@kiwimurph yeah it’s hard not to look at those moments now and ask what if.
My QF picks:
Hurricane
Crusaders
Highlanders
JaguaresTwo for two so far.
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@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
starting to get vaguely excited for the playoffs, don't know who the Blues drew to play in first round yet, don't tell me though, I'll just tune in tomorrow afternoon and let it be a surprise!
I’m just quoting this one so I know not to forget it in 2023 when they finally get rid of Tana and make the playoffs again.
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@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@kiwimurph yeah it’s hard not to look at those moments now and ask what if.
My QF picks:
Hurricane
Crusaders
Highlanders
JaguaresTwo for two so far.
Next two will be a test
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@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@kiwimurph yeah it’s hard not to look at those moments now and ask what if.
My QF picks:
Hurricane
Crusaders
Highlanders
JaguaresTwo for two so far.
We should have just tipped all the home teams.
In hindsight, me tipping against the Canes with Jacko in charge of things was madness - even if he is an ex-Chief.
Under pressure he was always bound to revert to what he knows!
Next round I'm tipping the Crusaders and the Lions.
I can't see the Tahs traveling to SA and winning at altitude and I can't see the Canes doing that either.
So, it is my belief that all right thinking NZers should be supporting the Crusaders on Saturday!
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@chris-b said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
So, it is my belief that all right thinking NZers should be supporting the Crusaders on Saturday!
One of the few good things to come out of the Highlanders loss is no real travel for some key ABs. Everyone has been a short flight from home.
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@chris-b said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@act-crusader said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@kiwimurph yeah it’s hard not to look at those moments now and ask what if.
My QF picks:
Hurricane
Crusaders
Highlanders
JaguaresTwo for two so far.
We should have just tipped all the home teams.
In hindsight, me tipping against the Canes with Jacko in charge of things was madness - even if he is an ex-Chief.
Under pressure he was always bound to revert to what he knows!
Next round I'm tipping the Crusaders and the Lions.
I can't see the Tahs traveling to SA and winning at altitude and I can't see the Canes doing that either.
So, it is my belief that all right thinking NZers should be supporting the Crusaders on Saturday!
If the Crusaders beat the Canes this weekend, I would love to play the Tahs in the GF and get some payback from the Joubert debacle in Sydney a few years ago....
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so if the HUrricanes get up and beat the Crusaders, do they host the final having more points than the other 2 teams?
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@taniwharugby said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
so if the HUrricanes get up and beat the Crusaders, do they host the final having more points than the other 2 teams?
Nope they're 4th on the table, so will travel whomever of the Lions and Tahs wins.
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@machpants said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
@taniwharugby said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
so if the HUrricanes get up and beat the Crusaders, do they host the final having more points than the other 2 teams?
Nope they're 4th on the table, so will travel whomever of the Lions and Tahs wins.
I wish I could 'unlike' this.
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@machpants ah ok, I thought there had been changes to the finals to make them 'fairer'.
For my mind, after the quarters, it should have been reshuffled to log tables, so that would mean Crusaders-Tahs
Canes-Lions. -
Seems about right, two best NZ teams, best aussie team and best saffer team. Best of the rest plays best from NZ for the title.
