Super Rugby

[rowan]

I've said from the outset the Saders were favorites this year, and I also suggested their games this week and last would sort out the pecking order. Saders have come out on top, beating the Chiefs 31-24 in Suva. I'd be interested to know what the attendance was but journalists don't bother getting those kinds of details these days.

[rowan]

Looks like we got ourselves a rare win for a non-kiwi side over a Kiwi side in Cape Town. My timing was awful last time I said this, but I really don't think the Saffas have been so bad this season. Certainly they're not even close to experiencing the kind of a slump the Aussies are in right now. Stormers 30-22 Blues it finishes. A result sorely needed in this year's competition.

[Lizard]

I've said from the outset the Saders were favorites this year, and I also suggested their games this week and last would sort out the pecking order. Saders have come out on top, beating the Chiefs 31-24 in Suva. I'd be interested to know what the attendance was but journalists don't bother getting those kinds of details these days.

I reckon you're a bit optimistic if you think that attendance figures were available immediately (if at all). Have you been to the stadium in Suva?

[rowan]

No, never been to Fiji. But it wasn't just Fiji I was talking about. It seems to be a general trend - away from providing such an important detail. Anyway, attendance in Suva has since been reported at 20K - about twice the average at this year's games.

[zer0]

The Blues came up only eight points short in a South African match officiated by both Jaco van Heerden and Shaun Veldsman? Must've put in their best performance of the season.

[rowan]

You never beat the Kiwis. You just score more points than them . . .

Meanwhile, Canes flatter to deceive in the first half against the Cheetahs . . .

Ardie goes over for the Canes' 3rd try right on halftime. 21-7 at the break.

Canes explode out of the blocks as the 2nd half gets underway. 2 quick tries makes it 35-7 after 48 minutes. Seems like they're gradually recovering their confidence after last week's setback.

[Cameo]

The Blues came up only eight points short in a South African match officiated by both Jaco van Heerden and Shaun Veldsman? Must've put in their best performance of the season.

Just seen the highlights of that game. The reefing did look a joke. Red card seemEd very harsh but the last try was something else. Clearly in the ruck and off his feet

[zer0]

On the Suva venture, it's reported here that A) attendance was 17,000; B) that it cost Fiji 1.6 million NZD to host; and C) that the Chiefs indicated that they will not be returning.

[rowan]

Sour grapes from the Chiefs, perhaps? Sure, we know any venture to the islands isn't going to be a financial bonanza (which is why I've suggested Samoa & Tonga play their tests in Auckland). But what did they expect? 17K is well above average for this year's attendances, and you're not going to get a whole lot more into a stadium in Fiji. I think the biggest capacity available is 25 K. You could increase the price of tickets significantly for the All Blacks, Boks or Lions, but probably not for a Super Rugby game. Anyone, as a one-off it was a great promotion for the sport there and a real treat for the locals, so kudos to them for doing it. Incidentally, the Blues face the Reds in Samoa next month and I don't think they can get more than about 15 K into Apia Park, while the tickets will have to be even cheaper than they were in Suva.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

My assumption is that they're testing the waters for life without the saffers, aussies and pumas. Next time sanzaar negotiations happen they may decide to clear off with their Japanese and island mates.

[rowan]

Might just be the way to go . . .

[rowan]

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Might just be the way to go . . .

If they aren't going to get much in the way of competitive games, Japan is a much bigger economy more helpfully situated.

[rowan]

Actually I misread that. I think the West Pacific teams (including Australia) could break away from South Africa and Argentina, and then it would actually make sense to include Japan. Pacific Islands' only hope ever is playing out of Auckland. But I don't see the need for an islands team, really, if their players are able to play Super Rugby without any strings attached.

[rowan]

Blues & Chiefs drew

Looking very much like a 3-horse race between the Saders, Canes and Lions now, with their prospects pretty much in that order. Home advantage is going to be crucial, of course.

[zer0]

So the self-lobotomizing chimps -- otherwise known as the Blues -- squander a golden opportunity to defeat the Chiefs by thinking it was pre-2007 when drop goals were more shunned than leppers, and, instead, decide to throw the ball wide in wet weather rather than take the sensible option of the simple drop goal from out in front. The entirely predictable result is a knock-on, the opportunity gone and the match ended in a 16-all draw.

[rowan]

Wasn't it Anton Oliver who once claimed he was 'going for the win' when opting to run the ball from a last minute penalty instead of kick a simple goal? His team were actually 8 points behind at the time, which meant either result - a try (converted or otherwise) or a penalty would have secured his team a vital bonus point for losing by less than 7. In the event, they failed to get the try...

[rowan]

Force hammer the Reds. I'm really starting to think SAANZAR may be forced to revisit their decision to cull the competition the way things are going. Force and Kings are showing fighting spirit on the field and holding their own, while the Rebels are threatening legal ramifications and have state backing to boot. Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if the decision is reversed, and we end up with three conferences of six near year - with the Jaguares added to NZ.

[morepork]

Silly Bloos.

[Spy]

So the self-lobotomizing chimps -- otherwise known as the Blues -- squander a golden opportunity to defeat the Chiefs by thinking it was pre-2007 when drop goals were more shunned than leppers, and, instead, decide to throw the ball wide in wet weather rather than take the sensible option of the simple drop goal from out in front. The entirely predictable result is a knock-on, the opportunity gone and the match ended in a 16-all draw.

Yeah, they were setting up for the droppie, then had a characteristic abandonment of the plan and fcked it up. Lucky not to lose the game in the end. Couple of ace tries by the Chiefs in difficult conditions. Blues were pumped toward the end of the game. They wanted it, just couldn't pull it off.

[rowan]

Meanwhile that waste of space aka Sunpoodles is getting hammered at home by one of the franchises earmarked for the scrap heap. Cheetahs lead 7-33 last 10.

Update: 7-40 last 5.

FT 7-47.

What a farce ...

[rowan]

What's really missing this year are upsets. It's way too predictable. I can't even get excited about the Canes winning in SA anymore.

[rowan]

TOP 8 ALL BUT SET (99%)

NZL 20-0 AUS (5 to play)

[rowan]

Would be funny if the Lions won it, being practically the only non-Kiwi team playing well this season!!

They'll need home advantage to be in with a shout this time, that's for sure.

[Lizard]

If it is still tight nearer the end, it might pay an NZ team in 7th to chuck a game and finish 8th so they travel to Christchurch rather than Jo-burg