Super Rugby

[rowan]

So these teams are out - the mighty Cape region, 3 former winners with half a dozen or so titles between them, and the Poodles. The Blues, in particular, have become a complete embarrassment :

11. Stormers 16 6 0 10 390:423 29

12. Bulls 15 6 0 9 429:464 29

13. Reds 15 5 0 10 341:474 23

14. Blues 15 4 0 11 361:455 22

15. Sunwolves 15 3 0 12 377:616 14

[rowan]

This is the Rebels' 8th season. They've yet to have a winning season and have never finished higher than 10th. Needless to add, they've yet to make the playoffs. The last record will be broken this season as they can't finish any lower than 9th. But they'll only have a winning season if they beat the Highlanders this weekend to make the playoffs, then win the next two games and make the final - all of which is extremely unlikely. But here's to hoping they pull off a miracle...

[rowan]

Highlanders to rest their first-stringers. Should've seen that coming, since theirs not a lot of difference between facing the Lions or Tahs in the quarters - except the former are much further away. So this is good news for the Rebels!!

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/highlanders ... or-sharks/

[rowan]

Canes go down to the Chiefs but retain 4th spot and home advantage in the quarters. I suspect their primary objectives there were to not lose by more than 44 points and avoid injury - though the shoulder-charging Chiefs seemed intent on foiling the latter. 28-24 Chiefs win. Canes host a rematch next weekend.

[rowan]

Close but no cigar for the Rebels this morning. Sharks now have destiny in their own hands. Home win over Jags this afternoon puts them in the playoffs - and the Rebels out. The bonus point the Rebels collected in defeat also ends the Brumbies' chances.

[rowan]

Shame for the Brumbies. Meritorious win over the in-form Tahs', but the Rebels' bonus point in defeat this morning means the men from the capital are already out of contention. & the Sharks have the supreme advantage of going into the final game of the regular season against the Jags knowing exactly what they need. If the Lions lose today (they currently lead the Bulls 19-12 at HT) that could make it more interesting, however, as the South Americans would then have top place in the SA Conference in their sights.

Lions lead 31-12 inside the last 10. That's bad news for the Rebels, as the Jags won't have anything to play for in Durban. They can't improve their position either overall or within their conference, and neither can the Sharks overtake them. But the Sharks will be fighting for their own survival, needing a win to book a date with the Saders.

FT 38-12.

[rowan]

So the bonus point win for the Lions and the Tahs' surprising loss messed up my playoffs forecast, with those two teams switching positions in the overall standings. It's now going to be the following, if the Sharks win:

Saders host Sharks (or Rebels)
Lions host Jags
Tahs host Otago
Canes host Chiefs

[rowan]

Saders host Sharks
Lions host Jags
Tahs host Otago
Canes host Chiefs

Indeed, that is the picture, as the Sharks win 20-10 against the Jags to wrap up the regular season. Here are the final standings heading into the playoffs:

1. Crusaders 16 14 0 2 542:295 63
2. Lions 16 9 0 7 519:435 46
3. Waratahs 16 9 1 6 557:445 44
4. Hurricanes 16 11 0 5 474:343 51
5. Chiefs 16 11 0 5 463:368 49
6. Highlanders 16 10 0 6 437:445 44
7. Jaguares 16 9 0 7 409:418 38
8. Sharks 16 7 1 8 437:442 36

9. Rebels 16 7 0 9 440:461 36
10. Brumbies 16 7 0 9 393:422 34
11. Stormers 16 6 0 10 390:423 29
12. Bulls 16 6 0 10 441:502 29
13. Reds 16 6 0 10 389:501 28
14. Blues 16 4 0 12 378:509 22
15. Sunwolves 16 3 0 13 404:664 14

[rowan]

Looks like the Rebels weren't to happy at just missing out on a playoffs spot for the first time in their history:

Melbourne Rebels number eight Amanaki Mafi has been charged by police in New Zealand after an alleged altercation with team-mate Lopeti Timani.

The incident happened after the Australian outfit’s 43-37 defeat to the Highlanders, a result which cost them their place in the end-of-season play-offs.

Mafi will now appear in Dunedin District Court on Monday charged with injuring with intent to injure.r

Still, 9th was their highest finish ever.

Meanwhile, this is a good call

Chiefs centre Johnny Faauli has been banned for six weeks for his dangerous tackle on Wes Goosen during their 28-24 victory over the Hurricanes.

The back was red carded and deemed to contravene Law 9.13 having connected with Goosen’s head after failing to wrap his arms around the Canes man.

Faauli will therefore miss the game against the Hurricanes in the quarter-finals, as well as the rest of the Super Rugby season, should they emerge triumphant in Wellington.

[Lizard]

Yep. That shoulder charge was unbelievably dumb and worthy of punishment.

[rowan]

Yes, & Goosen still uncertain for the quarters due to concussion symptoms. Brad Shields also a concern with injured ribs. It's going to be a tough game; that's for sure.

[rowan]

Goosen bracketed on the bench and Shields bracketed in the starting XV. Jordie at center? Not sure about this. It's gonna be a tough game . . .

[Spy]

How slow is Savea?

[rowan]

Quick enough to score in the 1st minute...

[Spy]

Quick enough to score in the 1st minute...

Yes, although he was getting reeled in. The second intercept should have been a given try for an international winger, but he was running in gumboots and got overtaken by 2 defenders despite a decent head start. Pretty sluggish for one of his pedigree.

[rowan]

Yes, bit surprising he still holds down a starting position given the Canes' embarrassment of riches in the outside backs department. Anyway, Canes go to the break with a 17-0 lead.

[rowan]

Lam appears to have sealed it with the Canes' 4th try. 32-17 inside the final 10; Jordie with a crucial sideline conversion. This will probably be the Canes' final home game of the season, unless there are major upsets elsewhere. They look capable of beating anyone anywhere - with the notable exception of the Saders in Christchurch. Unfortunately that's what the semi-final may well come down to. ..

[rowan]

FT 32-31. Chiefs with a consolation try in injury time, never threatened the lead after Lam scored the Canes' 4th about 10 minutes from time.

[zer0]

A shame the TMO was an ESOL student but ultimately won't really matter. I'd dare say the Crusaders are unstoppable from this point.

[zer0]

After being screwed around for years by Hansen the Hutt, I don't begrudge Todd one bit for going to Japan to earn some big cash during the RC. But Christ on a bike how fantastic would it be to see him take his rightful place as the test openside.

[rowan]

Oh joy, we get to play the Saders in Christchurch again...

[rowan]

Looks like a humdinger in Sydney right now. I suspected this would be a good match. Tahs with the narrow lead heading into the final 1/4.

[rowan]

Well done, Tah's. No all-NZ final possible now.

Lions-Jags just kicked off...

[rowan]

Jags storming back in the second half, 27-23 after 55 mins. It was 24-9 at the break . . .

Vamos Jaguares!!

[rowan]

& it was all Lions for the rest of the game. 40-23 it finishes. That's going to be a tough semi-final for the Tahs in Jo'burg.