Quarter finals

[Lizard]

Highlanders make it 1 from 1 for NZ.

15-9 in Canberra.

Next up - Canes v Sharks in the Cake Tin.

[Len]

Shark-nado!

[rowan]

8500 in a 25,000 stadium. That's why this Kiwi domination concerns me. It's been a shocker for the Ockers this year

First semi looks likely to be a re-match of last year's final.

[Spy]

I thought conditions were bad in Canberra, but Wellington has turned on a shocker. Canes up 13-0 in appalling conditions.

[morepork]

BB hammering it.

[morepork]

Coles the go o penalty man.

"Wot me?"

[cashead]

Garth April can't hit the broad side of a barn today, but it really isn't his fault this time.

[morepork]

Penalty kicks won't win it. Missing the sound of driving rain hitting the raincoat looking at this.

[cashead]

That's probably Coles' season done.

[Spy]

That's a quality couple of tries. And 2 nice conversions in tough conditions.

[morepork]

Chur

[cashead]

The Sharks have pretty much given up. Nothing's worked for them, and it looks like they can't get on the plane back to Durban fast enough.

[morepork]

The Sharks have pretty much given up. Nothing's worked for them, and it looks like they can't get on the plane back to Durban fast enough.

It just needs vasaline.

[morepork]

Fucking sharks. Jug for biggest tackle, side step, whatever. Come on. mote vation

[Spy]

FT 41-0.

[rowan]

Almost 18,000 in attendance, despite the conditions, compared to 8500 in Canberra.

Canes' victory was very much expected, but now they have to face their nemesis from last year in the semis, and I'm not too confident about their prospects. Let's say 50/50, and the final won't be easy either, regardless who it is (I'm guessing the Chiefs).

[rowan]

I just realised the Chiefs will play the Canes in the semis, as they finished below the Highlanders, so the Otago boys will travel to Jo'burg. Very hard to pick the winners of those two semis, but I think there might just be two away victories in store...

[Lizard]

Did anyone watch the Crusaders game? I'm in Fiji and probably won't bother trying to find a replay.

Caught the last 30 minutes of the Chiefs smashing the Stormers, though.

[Spy]

Crusaders missed too many tackles, particularly in midfield.

[rowan]

Winner of the Canes - Chief final will win the title. I suspect it'll be the latter, but if the Wellington-based outfit get by the Chiefs, I think they'll finally get their maiden title this year. They're the only Kiwi side never to have won it, despite being a regular in the playoffs...

[jared_7]

Only 3 out of 4? Not good enough, Cru let us down, typical.

[jared_7]

Wonder how we can tinker with the format next year so South Africa get more guaranteed places in the semis?

You know its going to happen.

[rowan]

Not to mention Aussies...

[J Dory]

Wonder how we can tinker with the format next year so South Africa get more guaranteed places in the semis?

You know its going to happen.

Now we're down to the business end, the best 4 teams are in the semis, so it's not all broken. I'm starting to think making sure all conferences are represented in the quarter finals is not so bad.

Perhaps changing how home advantage is picked to be based on total points would be a sensible tinker.

[rowan]

Wonder how we can tinker with the format next year so South Africa get more guaranteed places in the semis?

You know its going to happen.

Now we're down to the business end, the best 4 teams are in the semis, so it's not all broken. I'm starting to think making sure all conferences are represented in the quarter finals is not so bad.

Perhaps changing how home advantage is picked to be based on total points would be a sensible tinker.

Good call. The current system reduces slightly the incentive to finish as high as possible up the ladder.