Two to go: New Zealand run home
There is just six competition points separating the five New Zealand Conference teams, but with four intense local derbies to come, there is no chance of the Kiwi teams dominating the 2014 Super Rugby Finals Series.
The Crusaders and Highlanders destinies are in their own hands, although in a delicious twist of fate those two meet in the final round so that clash could be for a top six berth.
The Hurricanes, just one point behind, do not have their fate completely in their own hands, one of just two teams with only one fixture remaining.
The Blues and Chiefs need results to go their way if they are to survive.
The final facts…
- If the Crusaders and Highlanders defeat the Blues and Waratahs respectively in Round 18, then their final round clash in Christchurch will be for the New Zealand Conference.
- The Hurricanes need a bonus point win against the Chiefs to keep their hopes alive next weekend, if the Crusaders and Highlanders lose in Round 18 then the chances of the Wellington based team increases significantly.
- The Blues and Chiefs need the Force and Brumbies to trip up in their final matches while winning both of their games. The facts are simple for the two most northernmost New Zealand teams, one more loss and they won’t enter the Super Rugby Finals Series.
Championship contender: The two highest ranked winners over Round 17 in the Highlanders and Hurricanes look the best placed at this stage to challenge for the title, assuming the Crusaders don’t rediscover their swagger in the coming weeks. So far they there are two very different choices, the grafting work ethic of the Deep South and the menacing attack of the men from the capital.
Coming up: With four New Zealand Conference derbies remaining, two in each round, there will be a significant amount of cannibalisation in the final fortnight. The Hurricanes, with just one game remaining, need to beat the Chiefs and victory in Hamilton will end the champions reign, just as a win for the hosts will close out Mark Hammett’s team’s season. The Highlanders, looking good as a real fairy tale, have an upcoming blockbuster in Sydney.
Outside chances: If the Blues manage to get into the top six, there will be some real nerves for whoever has to face them, especially if they end up travelling to Sydney or Durban. In their last three games against Australian teams they have registered over 100 points, and have scored 99 in the same number of fixtures against the South Africans.
Turnaround of the year: Last season the Highlanders finished 14th overall despite a healthy collection of All Blacks, and this year, with the fewest number of internationals of any New Zealand franchise, the hard working nature of the Southerners has them on the verge of conquering a 12 year absence from the second stage of the season.
International hangover: The All Blacks looked to have had a mixed effect on the New Zealand teams, certainly in the case of the Crusaders, the loss of Richie McCaw and the lack of full match fitness of Kieran Read and Dan Carter is a slight concern. Meanwhile the Blues, Highlanders and Hurricanes got full change from their international representatives. The likes of Ma’a Nonu, Ben Smith and Dane Coles were crucial over the weekend.
Super Rugby Finals Series possibilities: Despite having five teams still in contention, the ruthless nature of the Kiwi grouping has given us no clear candidate, in dramatic contrast to Australia and South Africa (who have the Waratahs and Sharks as their leading threats). With 12 titles overall New Zealand is the most successful country but need one of their outfits to make a loud statement in the near future.
http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/two-to-go-new-zealand-run-home/
