Super Rugby - Who's it going to be?
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<p>yeah I know I saw....:( </p>
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<p>woulda got even better odds had I gone 13+, Bulls were pretty clueless, Creevy was superb</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="593671" data-time="1467497601">
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<p>Lions are now on 47 pts so should finish at the top. The Jags in BA could be a potential banana skin game but I doubt it.</p>
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<p>The NZ conference is really tight:</p>
<p>Chiefs 46</p>
<p>Crusaders 45</p>
<p>Hurricanes 44</p>
<p>Highlanders 43</p>
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<p>It still means that the Lions will have to travel back to South Africa for their playoff game from Argentina.</p> -
Possibly been discussed and also not sure where to put this so this thread as good as any. <br><br>
I was looking into this "thing" that Auckland are the closest home game for the Jagulars. Couldn't see it as surely Africa is closer. Well yes it is. 6,500km to Cape Town as the crow flies as opposed to 10,000 to Auckland.<br><br>
But the planes don't fly as the crow flies. They fly via Sao Paulo which means flights are 17 hours against 13 to Auckland.<br><br>
It's probably been discussed (I recall some drama for the Chiefs getting to BA from SA) but it's the first time I've bothered to work it out. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="593736" data-time="1467518169">
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<p>But the planes don't fly as the crow flies. They fly via Sao Paulo which means flights are 17 hours against 13 to Auckland.<br>
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<p>But less jetlag</p>
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<p>Argentina GMT -3</p>
<p>NZ GMT +12</p>
<p>SA GMT +2</p>
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<p>So only 5 hours difference SA Arg, but 9 hours NZ ARG. That's why the trip is easier - it ain't just the travel</p>
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<p>Edit; and also why the ABs don't lose as much - TRC is now set up so SA ARG is the only back to back weekend. When we lost to Deans, we played in consecutive weekends Hamiltron, Joburg and then Melbourne. Surprise, we lost the last game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="593748" data-time="1467526219">
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<p>If the play-offs started next weekend and the current table determined who plays who:</p>
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<p>Lions v Sharks</p>
<p>Chiefs v Highlanders</p>
<p>Stormers v Hurricanes</p>
<p>Brumbies v Crusaders</p>
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<p>A single home game for NZ teams? Absolutely ridiculous :mocking:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="593716" data-time="1467510532">
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<p>It still means that the Lions will have to travel back to South Africa for their playoff game from Argentina.</p>
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<p>Maybe offset by the team they would play also having to travel to Jo'burg if it isn't the Sharks.</p> -
Lions held serve this morning and went back top. Chiefs are locked into the playoffs along with the lions. Chiefs can finish 1, 2, 5, 6 or 7. Canes probably the biggest risk of losing amongst nz teams tonight and tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.
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Of course saders locked in too when ponies lost last night. Celebrated by annihilating it in that training run against the rebels.
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And canes firming up now.
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Stormers have guaranteed top spot of Africa 1 with the win tonight.
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Stormers locked into the 3 seed now. So if you fancy yourself in Capetown, and most teams would given the stormers' playoff record, then finishing 6th might be okay after all. Shit of a flight though.
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<p>guess that Tahs are no longer looking forward to heading to Auckland which is a must win with BP if they want to have a shot at topping the Aussie standings esp with the Brumbies at home to the force...</p>
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<p>While the Blues wil be last in the NZ conference, they could finish higher than the top Aussie team (if the Force upset the Brumbies) if they beat the Tahs, and higher than everyone in the other conference bar the Lions & Stormers.....so, 7th on a combined table, although more likely going to be 9th/10th if they can pick up a win.</p> -
<p>Assuming the Lions beat the Jaguares and finish 1st their opponent will be either the Sharks or Bulls. The Sharks are at home and have an easier game.</p>
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<p>The 6th place NZ team will need to play the Stormers in Cape Town.</p>
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<p>The 2 NZ derbies decides who hosts a QF and who travels to Aust and SA. </p>
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<p>An updated table:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/table/'>http://www.superxv.com/table/</a></p> -
<p>Tiebreaking rules below:</p>
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<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm9gw9FVMAAI-bM.jpg" alt="Cm9gw9FVMAAI-bM.jpg"></p> -
<p>It's great 4 NZ sides have made it through...but the quality of the SA and Australia franchises is shocking.</p>
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<p>We risk having NZ players heading overseas to get more competitive games of rugby at this rate.</p>
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<p>I seriously think Australia and SA should be stripped of a franchise each, and then if expansion must continue do it from the Pacific Islands etc.</p>
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<p>I just about never watch any games not involving NZ teams any more, and I'm on the point of purely restricting my viewing to local derbies.</p>
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<p>Super Rugby was at one stage the jewel of world club rugby in terms of quality, even if it never had the fanatical fan support of the Heineken cup. But now it's just 4 or 5 quality NZ sides, and this season the Lions, with the Brumbies having faded woefully (but not so woefully they won't beat the Force and qualify ahead of 3 of the NZ sides).</p>
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<p>Not too happy about where Super Rugby is headed at all (a feeder comp for UK & French club rugby).</p>
