SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders
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@old-samurai-jack said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Reckon the Clan can take this. Blues got the big boppers but a dysfunctional backline. If the Crusaders were in the final, it would be game over but I suppose they have a chance now
Auckland-born Josh Ioane waves a cheery hi from the back..
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Well done to both teams. Question though. How many home games did each of the kiwi teams end up with? Does that largely correlate with finishing positions? And is there any correlation with nz refs and tmos v Australian ones? If so then this needs to be looked at moving forward.
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@arhs said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Well done to both teams. Question though. How many home games did each of the kiwi teams end up with? Does that largely correlate with finishing positions? And is there any correlation with nz refs and tmos v Australian ones? If so then this needs to be looked at moving forward.
Yes and no (Hurricanes).
The Blues and Hurricanes each played 3 games at home (yes, I count McLean Park as home, because it damned should be considered as such).
The Chiefs had the least home games (1) and finished fifth.The Highlanders and Crusaders had two home games.
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@arhs as @Stargazer said, we had a home game moved to aus so ended up having to fly Dunedin>Auckland>Sydney>Perth …and back and then back to Sydney and back in less that two weeks…so I don’t think we got any favours
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There are more factors that may or may not have played a role, like the Chiefs and Crusaders (and Reds and Brumbies) after having played a final, not getting a week off like the other franchises. And the mandatory All Blacks rests apparently not applying to every All Black.
To me, that's all just circumstantial. In the end, there's just a points differential separating the top 3. In such a short comp, adding semi-finals would have been better. But who was really keen on making the comp longer? I'm glad SR TT is almost over.
Can't wait for the NPC!
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@stargazer said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
@arhs said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Well done to both teams. Question though. How many home games did each of the kiwi teams end up with? Does that largely correlate with finishing positions? And is there any correlation with nz refs and tmos v Australian ones? If so then this needs to be looked at moving forward.
Yes and no (Hurricanes).
The Blues and Hurricanes each played 3 games at home (yes, I count McLean Park as home, because it damned should be considered as such).
The Chiefs had the least home games (1) and finished fifth.The Highlanders and Crusaders had two home games.
The Chiefs got really screwed too, with the Force in Week 1 right after the final, then home for a week, then off to Townsville. Piss poor scheduling, and but for a RC would probably also be undefeated.
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@frank said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Good to see the final at Eden Park - however, making the final simply being determined how much you can thrash the Aussie teams rings a bit hollow to me. This is very much a 2nd tier competition compared to the NZ Super Rugby tournament.
We knew this was the case going in, though. And the Canes and Chiefs (and Crusaders by 2 points) lost to the Aussies... so it is what it is.
Blues led the comp start to finish, and deserve the final. Whether we or the Landers win, we'll take the silverware thank you very much
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@kiwimurph said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Blues have had some pretty rough draws in recent Super seasons (pre covid) so swings and roundabouts.
... and let's not start on refereeing decisions eh
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@nzzp said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
@frank said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Good to see the final at Eden Park - however, making the final simply being determined how much you can thrash the Aussie teams rings a bit hollow to me. This is very much a 2nd tier competition compared to the NZ Super Rugby tournament.
We knew this was the case going in, though. And the Canes and Chiefs (and Crusaders by 2 points) lost to the Aussies... so it is what it is.
Blues led the comp start to finish, and deserve the final. Whether we or the Landers win, we'll take the silverware thank you very much
Don't get me wrong. Happy to see the Blues get a chance for a bit of a morale boost.
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Saw someone on the socials point out the highlanders have never lost a final away from home
Jokes aside I’m not obvious to the fact we’ve only made the final based on point differential and a bit of a messed up Comp format
Like the crusaders v rebels game, I really just hope it’s a good interesting game till the end (or a blown out for us
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@kiwiwomble said in FINAL: Blues Highlanders:
Saw someone on the socials point out the highlanders have never lost a final away from home
Jokes aside I’m not obvious to the fact we’ve only made the final based on point differential and a bit of a messed up Comp format
Like the crusaders v rebels game, I really just hope it’s a good interesting game till the end (or a blown out for us
)Eh? you get a dinosaur egg rare chance to gloat and you're all sportsman-like? Carpe diem!
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@nostrildamus the reality is the blues have to be favs , just being at at home if nothing else, so being too cocky is just asking for trouble
I’ll save it for IF we were to win it
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@kiwiwomble It's probably going to be very tight. Blues need their forwards to really get on top, because their execution at 9 and 10 is just way too slow.
