NZ Super Rugby reboot

[Lizard]

So now the Welsh road bump is out of the way, it's time to get back into Super Rugby.

The most important match is Chiefs v Crusaders, which for some reason is being played in Suva. This is the top of the table clash and could go a long way to deciding the top qualifier. Both teams play an Aussie side next time, and then meet the Highlanders and Hurricanes respectively to round out the regular season.

Canes and Blues is the other local derby. The Blues are basically dead in the water, but the Canes have a lot to play for.

The Highlanders are playing the Kings so that's a win.

[zer0]

This is the time of year when the Blues will now kick into gear and ruin the playoff hopes of as many other teams as possible.

[rowan]

So, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted? Oh, that's right, Kiwi teams were kicking ass even more than usual. I had intended to give up on the Canes after 20 traumatic years of humiliation and tragedy, and support the Jaguares instead, but since that didn't work out, and the Canes are deftly setting the fans up for disappointment again, I guess I'll allow myself to be sucked in one las time and see if they can actually go all the way at last. I just hope this break hasn't destroyed the momentum.

[J Dory]

Given we're getting down to the business end of things, I guess I should try to figure out how this all works. Let me know if I've got any of this wrong.

So 8 teams go through. First from each conference finishes top of their group so if nothing changed, stormers, lions, brumbies and crusaders. Then, 4 wildcard by points overall. Right now that's Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Sharks.

Focusing on the last wild card spot:

Sharks 35 - still to play Lions, Cheetahs and Sunwolves.
Warratahs 34 - still to play Sunwolves, Hurricanes, Blues
Bulls 32 - still to play Jaguars, Sunwolves, Cheetahs
Blues 30 - still to play Hurricanes, Brumbies, Waratahs

With out a doubt the blues have the hardest run home, but it's not over dammit!!

[melbournerebel]

"Then, 4 wildcard by points overall. Right now that's Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Sharks."

Right and wrong. The Wild cards are three from AU/NZ and one from ZA1/ZA2

Right now that's Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Sharks.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Where's the final being played this year? I cant remember if its set in stone at the start or decided once the finalists are known. Be mad if its in SA and 2 kiwi teams make it tbh.

[Lizard]

It depends who makes it. Top seed hosts, essentially.

[rowan]

Unless the rules have changed this year, the finalist with the best record will host the final.

[cashead]

Honestly, after getting a taste of test rugby, I find it hard to give two fucks about Super Rugby.

[morepork]

Honestly, after getting a taste of test rugby, I find it hard to give two fucks about Super Rugby.

Bloos.

[rowan]

Well, a couple of local derbies didn't grab my interest too much, but the race for the playoff spots was just beginning to heat up before this bothersome interruption, and I'm sure my enthusiasm will be back in tact by the end of the weekend's action...

[Lizard]

Bula vinaka, Crusaders. Thanks for coming, Bros.

Chiefs Mana takes us back to our rightful top of the table.

[scuzzaman]

Bula vinaka, Crusaders. Thanks for coming, Bros.

Chiefs Mana takes us back to our rightful top of the table.

Twas a solid performance from the Chiefs, against arguably the most dangerous side in the comp.

I'm still puzzled as to why McKenzie didn't get a run against Wales. He has surely earned it.

[rowan]

So the Lions are first into the playoffs, the Kiwi teams still look dominant, Sunwolves & Kings still look out of their depth, and the Jags are leading the Bulls approaching HT in BA right now...

[zer0]

This is the time of year when the Blues will now kick into gear and ruin the playoff hopes of as many other teams as possible.

Came close to trolling the Hurricanes. If they can rinse and repeat (or, better yet, improve on) that first 60 minutes against the Brumbies and Waratahs, then there could be some mightily upset and deflated 'Strayans.

[rowan]

Jags 29 Bulls 11. 3rd win of the season for the debutantes and puts a big dent in the Bulls' playoff hopes. Nice one, good weekend all in all

[cashead]

Messam has missed out on the 7s and the Olympics, and has now joined the Chiefs for the remainder of the season.

From Messam's and the Chiefs twitter accounts.

[rowan]

Big test for the Canes this weekend, away to NSW. This is about the stage where the wheels usually come off the Wellington-based franchise, although they did manage to make it to the last stage of the playoffs last year before horrifying their loyal fans. Win against the Tahs and they could be genuine contenders once again, but whatever weaknesses they have are sure to be ruthlessly exposed in Sydney.

[zer0]

Blues are almost literally running rings around the Brumbies when they're not scrummaging, mauling or having to suffer the ref interjecting himself into the match.

Having been stripped of the goal kicking duties, West is actually now starting to look like the decent first five he promised to be. If he needs someone else kicking, then that complicates the midfield selections for next year.

[zer0]

This is the time of year when the Blues will now kick into gear and ruin the playoff hopes of as many other teams as possible.

Yep, accounted for the Brumbies comfortably in the end. Being the team players that they are, I believe that the Blues have now all but guaranteed that all four of the other NZ teams will make the finals.

[rowan]

What's happened to Aussie rugby this year? Brumbies thrashed by NZ's weakest franchise, and Chiefs currently annihilating the Reds - in Brisbane! Or will the Tahs signal the beginning of the great Aussie revival in Sydney tomorrow. T'wouldn't surprise me . . .

[Lizard]

Aussie rugby has over extended itself. If it had focused on being the number 1 code in the rugby states, it would be better off than having poured time and money into inevitably doomed ventures in WA and VIC.

[rowan]

As an interesting comparison, NFL only spread west in earnest after the Second World War. I guess the difference there, and why it became so successful, was that as a mainstream pro sport it got included on high school and college curriculums. Meanwhile, it supplanted rugby as the major football code on the West Coast.

[scuzzaman]

This is the time of year when the Blues will now kick into gear and ruin the playoff hopes of as many other teams as possible.

My hat's off to ya, mate: you called it!

[rowan]

Kings taking a hammering. That's three already this weekend. Dare I say it, but this competition just about needs a first and second division Lions, meanwhile, looking like the team most likely to break up the Kiwi hegemony...