Super Rugby News
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby News:
Showing once again, how stupid all speculations in the media are.
I think the Highlanders were putting out a positive rumour at the same time news was breaking about even more players leaving.
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Will Jordan rebuffed offers from other New Zealand franchises to stick with his hometown Crusaders for at least three more years.
Makalio, now in his third season with the Crusaders, confirmed he turned down another offer to stick with the red and blacks, citing the team's culture for his decision to stay put.At Least the Highlanders and Blues are actively trying to recruit.
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@Chris Highlanders could be NZ wooden spooners next year, though the Blues still might find a way of taking out that accolade.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby News:
@Chris Highlanders could be NZ wooden spooners next year, though the Blues still might find a way of taking out that accolade.
I don't see the Blues taking the Wooden spoon this year. They should beat the reds this weekend to go above the chiefs who have the bye. Then both teams will lose in the final round games
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@Canes4life Yeah I think the Highlanders may have a tough year if you are looking at replacing
B Smith,W Naholo,T Li,M Faddes,R Buckman,M Banks,E Dixon,J Hemapo,L Whiitelock,L Squire,T Franklin,T Lomax, I don't see enough quality on the Transfer market to cover that amount of experience. -
Predictions:
Friday:
Highlanders (31 points) vs Waratahs (30 points)
Predicted winner: Highlanders (35 points)
Rebels (34 points) vs Chiefs (31 points)
Predicted winner: Chiefs (35 points) however Rebels get a losing bonus point and also end up on 35 points.
Sunday:
Stormers (34 points) vs Sharks (33 points)
Predicted winner: Stormers (39 points) with the Sharks getting no points
Bulls (36 points) vs Lions (35 points)
Predicted winner: Bulls ( 41 points) with Lions getting no pointsTop 8: Crusaders, Jaguares, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Bulls, Stormers, Rebels, Chiefs
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Chiefs and Highlanders have a sniff now of playoffs. Winners of Bulls v Lions and Stormers v Sharks will probably take 5th and 6th spot last 2 right open.
36 points will probably get you at least 8th even 35 points may now.
Rebels v Chiefs a knockout match.
Bulls or Lions could make it to 7th with a losing bonus point. -
@Canes4life Any word on BB and the injury that got him pulled from the game last night ?
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Friday:
Highlanders (31 points) vs Waratahs (30 points)
Predicted winner: Highlanders (35 points)
Rebels (34 points) vs Chiefs (31 points)
Predicted winner: Chiefs (35 points) however Rebels get a losing bonus point and also end up on 35 points.
Sunday:
Stormers (34 points) vs Sharks (33 points)
Predicted winner: Stormers (39 points) with the Sharks getting no points
Bulls (36 points) vs Lions (35 points)
Predicted winner: Bulls ( 41 points) with Lions getting no pointsTop 8: Crusaders, Jaguares, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Bulls, Stormers, Rebels, Chiefs
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The conference leaders are a certainty after this weekend's 17th round; no one in their respective conferences can catch up with them. The Crusaders' top spot is settled, too, but the Brumbies can - in theory - still take that 2nd place. I say "in theory", because the Jaguares play the Sunwolves at home next week and the ponies play the Reds at home.
1 Crusaders - 58
2 Jaguares - 46
3 Brumbies - 43The Hurricanes' 4th spot (49) is safe too; none of the other conference runners-up can catch them.
However, none of the other wild card spots are certain, yet. Teams that are now outside the wild spots, can still finish in 5th-8th place, with the exception of the Sunwolves, although the Blues' and Reds' chances are merely theoretical.
The Chiefs (31) are still in a reasonably good position to reach the finals as they play the miserable Rebels (34) in Melbourne, and that's exactly the team they may be able to push out of the finals. So that's definitely a game to watch next week!
The Highlanders (31) v Waratahs (30) game is another one with still a lot at stake, with both teams outside the wildcard spots, but still close.
If both the Chiefs and Highlanders end on the same number of competition points (like they are now), the Chiefs will finish above the Highlanders, because the Chiefs had more wins this season.
From all teams outside the wildcard spots, the Sharks have the highest number of points (33) and they play the Stormers, one of the teams in a wildcard spot with the least number of points (34). These teams will literally battle for a finals spot next week.
If teams finish on a equal number of competition points, the number of wins is the first tiebreaker (hence Chiefs over Highlanders), but if the next tiebreaker has to be used, then the Highlanders are in the best position.
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There’s a lot to like about the Canes at the minute.
I have some seen some real improvement in their set piece areas especially the scrum,but the real improvement I am seeing is in and around changing tactics when things are not working , last week we saw a lot kicks in behind the Sharks wingers ,in other words looking to play more code in the opposition half..
And once again this morning against the lions a slight shift in and around running into the the contact individually
Much quicker ball in the 2nd half, add in some real impact off the bench and the return to form of Dane Coles and the form of all their All Blacks Ardie Especially, I really do think the Canes will be better matched to take on the 2 time champs..
Be a real shame if these 2 teams meet in a semi final. -
@Steven-Harris Yeah the Canes will be better equipped than they were last year and previously this year when they roll down to Crusader country (assuming both teams win their quarter finals). I don't think it's possible for the Crusaders and Canes to meet in the final which is a real shame.
Aslong as the big five of Coles, Savea, Perenara, B Barrett & J Barrett remain fit, then the Canes have a real chance of knocking over the Crusaders in their own back yard. Will take a massive effort to do so though.
I'd like to see J Barrett, Perenara and Savea take a seat next week, along with the likes of IWL, T Smith, Blackwell & Laumape.
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@Canes4life you could probably play your Dev team and the Blues would still find a way to lose..lol
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I'd say it would look something like this: 1. Armstrong 2. Coles 3. May (apparently meant to return) 4. Lea'upepe 5. Mitchell 6. Bedwell-Curtis 7. Kirifi 8. Evans 9. Judd 10. Barrett/Garden-Bachop 11. Rayasi 12. Umaga Jensen 13. Goosen 14. Lowe 15. Toala
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