sharkbok
Captain23,295 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,295 posts
07 Apr 2014, 23:09#2
3 Australian teams in the top6, 2 SA teams and one New Zealand team.
Below is a summary of teams current status in the competition, and predicted results for the play offs.
Australia-Brumbies have played on extra game- except for the Bulls. They are strong contenders for the playoffs, maybe even a home semi. However they still have to tour, and they are going to be playing the Sharks in Canberra.
-Waratahs are still looking Australia's best bett to make the finals. (they have just finished their tour of Sa which can be considered a success, given they had the Sharks to play, and then a now week Stormers team- that was a 4 pointer.
-Western Force still have to tour South Africa and should get beaten in both games. I dont see them as contenders for the playoffs. -Reds look too inconsistent to make the playoffs.-Rebels- for too inconsistent. They had one great match against the Cheetas but have been average since.
New ZealandThe Chiefs have just had a tour that can be considered reasonably successful. They were fortunate to get draws, along with the bonus points. They should get stronger as the season goes on and a very good chance finishing top of the log.Both South African teams should really have finished them off, and made them leave with only 2 points.This would have left the Sharks in pole position.
The Hurricanes are getting better each game and could be contenders to make the play offs, and they have allready toured South Africa. Their backline is devastating, with Barrett getting better each match. They have players all over their backline that can take every chance and convert into a try. They make struggle with consistency in tighter games where their pack can get bullied.
The Crusaders are bound to improve at some point, so they are still in with a chance of getting to the play offs this year. They have too many gonod players. If they do not improve, it does raise alarm bells for the All Blacks given that the Worldcup is only one year away. Flyhalf has been the main problem area for them, with too many lateral running lines by the ball carrier, not the direct running style with supporting runners at angle
The Blues have no chance of the play offs. They still have to tour South Africa, where their tight5 is most likely to be slapped around with ease. Put them under pressure and they will make too many mistakes. A team with pace in the backline and a strong set piece will have them for lunch when they tour.
The Highlanders are just a joke in bad taste.
South AfricaThe Bulls are South Africas only realistic chance of being a 2nd team in the finals.
At this stage I would say the final rankings of the round robin stages will be:
1. Chiefs (bonus points for 4 tries should see them top the sharks)
2. Sharks3. Waratahs4. Brumbies5. Hurricanes6. Bulls
7. Crusaders. (Outside chance, as they traditionally get stronger as the tournament progresses)
8. Cheetas still have a small chance of making the playoffs. They are now going into a run like 6 home games, and given that Bulls in 6th place are only 9 points ahead.
I cant see any other teams being consistently good enough to be contenders. Unless something extraordinary happens like one of the form teams, totally losing form, or one of the average teams (like the Cheetas) getting a great run, it is hard to see much much change.
JWJust_win
Captain18,570 posts
JWJust_winCaptain18,570 posts
08 Apr 2014, 00:00#3
Sharkbok: good post mate, thanks. Glad to see the Chiefs up near the top after the SA tour & your sharks are looking good also. Knock off a few of the Ozzie and all of us will be happy
08 Apr 2014, 09:30#4
Hey Shark ... I see you don't think much of the Lions chances making mid table or even pipping the Cheetahs on the log.
Yes, I know the wheels fell off this weekend. We were awful ... but ... we're still capable of upsetting a few teams this season ... maybe even on tour.
I'm not saying we're contenders for the playoffs but surely we're at least in with a shot to pip the Cheetahs and Stormers on the log this year?
Don't write us off yet.
sharkbok
Captain23,295 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,295 posts
08 Apr 2014, 16:12#5
Cleancut, the Lions have surpassed everyone's expectations. Unfortunately I think they will soon start to go on a downward trail. They just do not have the player depth and a few injuries to the form players, and a tough tour lying ahead I am not expecting many more wins from them.
If the Cheetas can sort out their defence, which is a big if I think they could still squeeze into the finals. Bulls typically get stronger after their away tours, and the Stormers cant get any worse than what they are- and they do have their better players out injured.
Maybe the Lions can recruit more players next year, given that they are assured of playing Super Rugby
08 Apr 2014, 16:28#6
Good article, my biggest hope is that SA teams just don't give away home games to foreign teams. Even if they finish mid table, I hope that all teams in SA make it hard for travelling teams.
The Stormers have failed us, that team should have beaten the Waratahs. I just hope they can win the remainder of their games to give the the top SA teams a shot at the play-offs. Hopefully we can see the bulls, cheetahs in the play-offs and with the Sharks finishing on top.
I have been really pleased with the Lions, best season ever, considering the players they have.
08 Apr 2014, 16:41#7
Yeah ... we weren't supposed to beat the Cheetahs, nor the Blues, nor the Stormers and finally beating the Reds was an absurd thing to even imagine ... yet we did.
Our inexperience showed against the Bulls in the wet and playing Jantjies against the Sharks put us on the back foot. That with a few calls going against us cost us the match.
We are supposed to be the wooden spooners.
Yet 4 from 7 so far. Not too shabby for wooden spooners, huh?
I wonder what everyone will be saying about us when we beat a few more teams we're not supposed to.
Who knows ... it may just be the Sharks this weekend ... !!!
Wouldn't that be a kick in the head?
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
08 Apr 2014, 16:53#8
Who knows you may wake up one morning with enough hair to need shampoo. Wouldn't that be something.
