2018 Super Rugby Finals
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Just a further thought on the 'tweaked' finals format this year. Sanzaar would have fairly comfortably known that NZ sides were likely to finish in 1st, fourth and fifth positions on the conference ladder. Therefore it's hard not to consider the possibility that they've amended the format this year at least in part to limit the possibility of an all-NZ final and therefore broaden the international appeal of the competition showpiece. To the absolute detriment of the 'integrity' of the competition.
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@shark said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
Just a further thought on the 'tweaked' finals format this year. Sanzaar would have fairly comfortably known that NZ sides were likely to finish in 1st, fourth and fifth positions on the conference ladder. Therefore it's hard not to consider the possibility that they've amended the format this year at least in part to limit the possibility of an all-NZ final and therefore broaden the international appeal of the competition showpiece. To the absolute detriment of the 'integrity' of the competition.
That is some serious conspiracy theory shit
NZ has the deck stacked against them to finish first in the comp. So many good local teams.
Alternatively, they are trying to push that this is a genuine ladder (It's not -- the conference winners get priority), and therefore give the top qualifier the chance to play no 4 rather than 2 or 3.
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@shark said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
Just a further thought on the 'tweaked' finals format this year. Sanzaar would have fairly comfortably known that NZ sides were likely to finish in 1st, fourth and fifth positions on the conference ladder. Therefore it's hard not to consider the possibility that they've amended the format this year at least in part to limit the possibility of an all-NZ final and therefore broaden the international appeal of the competition showpiece. To the absolute detriment of the 'integrity' of the competition.
This was the 2017 Finals format:
The result of that format, with the current standings and conferences, would have been the same QFs and SFs as with the 2018 format:
QF:
1 Crusaders v 8 Sharks
2 Lions v 7 Jaguares
3 Waratahs v 6 Highlanders
4 Hurricanes v 5 ChiefsSF1 (CRU/SHA) v QF4 (HUR/CHI)
SF2 (LIO/JAG) v SF2 (WAR/HIG)So the finals format hasn't been tweaked, just renumbered.
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@shark said in 2018 Super Rugby Finals:
Just a further thought on the 'tweaked' finals format this year. Sanzaar would have fairly comfortably known that NZ sides were likely to finish in 1st, fourth and fifth positions on the conference ladder. Therefore it's hard not to consider the possibility that they've amended the format this year at least in part to limit the possibility of an all-NZ final and therefore broaden the international appeal of the competition showpiece. To the absolute detriment of the 'integrity' of the competition.
Are you sure this is a change for this year? I'm sure that this debate has come up in previous years and the same justification (travel uncertainty) has been given. Pretty sure the option was decided by the teams too, not sanzaar.
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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!
