The 2014 Super Rugby season has been one unpredictable roller coaster ride of thrills right from the word go - it's a shame that the competition must take the enforced 3 week break for the internationals (4 weeks for the South African sides due to the Boks' test against Scotland).
Come on England, Wales, France et. al, sign the damn thing so we don't have this ridiculous situation, but more on that for another time..
The previous champions of the last 3 seasons, the Reds and Chiefs have had somewhat forgettable seasons - the Reds are out of the running for the playoffs after a 6-game losing streak while the Chiefs' hopes are hanging on a thread after two morale-sapping defeats to the Hurricanes and Waratahs. More on the Chiefs shortly.
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| Stormers celebrate after their dramatic win over the Sharks |
Only the Rebels, Cheetahs, Lions and surprisingly, the Reds are out of the running for playoff football after the last weekend.
It's best to look forward at the teams' prospects for the last 3 weekends of Super Rugby to make the most of the season that has been so far.
1. Sharks - will finish 3rd on the table
Were on course for home advantage for the whole playoffs until their coastal rivals, Stormers stole victory from their fins with that last minute drop goal in what might end up being their last home game of the season with the Sharks playing the Cheetahs and Stormers away in their last two games. Having played one more game than their contenders, the Sharks now rely on their contenders falling over.
2. Waratahs - will finish 1st
Have made a strong claim for Super Rugby supremacy after an impressive win over the Chiefs in New Plymouth. The Waratahs face the Brumbies, Highlanders at home before finishing off in Brisbane with an interstate derby with the Reds. They should be hot favourites for home advantage throughout the playoffs if they overcome the Brumbies and Highlanders and even if they stumble against the Reds in Brisbane.
3. Crusaders - will finish 2nd
Previously written off as boring, not the side that they were, the Crusaders have roared back and thanks to slips by other teams suddenly have destiny in their own hands. They face the Hurricanes in Wellington and then finish at home against the Blues and Highlanders. While the Crusaders' home record hasn't been as good as previous seasons, it should be enough to see them finish 2nd.
4. Brumbies - will finish 7th
The Brumbies' shocking tour of South Africa might have cost them a playoff place; with only two games to play, they face a tough finish with the Waratahs in Sydney, then a rather inconvenient bye before finishing off with the Force who would still be in the running for the playoffs.
5. Highlanders - will finish 6th
The Highlanders have redeemed themselves this season and given the way the season has gone for them, and the way they have picked up bonus points even in defeat, they can't really be written off. They've got the Chiefs at home and then the Waratahs and Crusaders away. Win one of those games and pick up a few bonus points in the other two defeats and it could very well be enough for a first playoff spot since 2002.
6. Hurricanes - will finish 5th
The Hurricanes have been breathtakingly brilliant and frustratingly poor in equal measure this season but as a result of the slip up of other teams, remain very much in contention for the playoffs. They face the Crusaders at home and then the Chiefs away in their last two games. Too hard to predict which means they will probably end up winning their last two games and use the bye to prepare for a trip to Perth for the playoffs.
7. Force - will finish 4th
The surprise package of Super Rugby this season and the break might very well be what the Perth side need right now after a busy month which has seen them travel through 12 time zones. They face the Blues and Reds at home - sides they should beat on their own turf, before travelling to the Brumbies in the last weekend. They might not even victory against the Brumbies to guarantee a home game for the playoffs given the slip ups by the Brumbies, Highlanders and Hurricanes.
8. Chiefs - will finish 10th
A big come down after the last two seasons, the Chiefs' injury woes and the fact that sides are much more adept at playing Dave Rennie's side have been their downfall. They face the Highlanders away, Hurricanes at home and the Blues away in their last three games. They might be refreshed after the international break but so will the other sides. Defeats to the Highlanders and Canes will signal the end of their title defence.
9. Bulls - will finish 9th
The Bulls have been their usual selves, being right in the mix when based at home, then blowing their chances with a poor tour in Australia and New Zealand. Exciting to watch at times, the Bulls' slim chances of making the playoffs might have been stymied by their shock loss to the Lions in Johannesburg before the break. With their last 2 games against the in-form Stormers in Cape Town and the Rebels at home, even the expected win against the Melbourne side in their last game won't be enough for them to make the playoffs.
10. Blues - will finish 11th
A controversial and inconsistent season will end with a consolation win over the already-eliminated Chiefs after defeats to the Force and Crusaders away from home. Talented but not consistent enough to be title contenders and a lot of work to do for JK in the off-season.
11. Stormers - will finish 8th
After a poor start, the Stormers have recently shown what they are capable of and it's a shame they couldn't replicate this form earlier. They've got the Bulls and Sharks at home and could prove the double-whammy spoiler for the Sharks. Their 5-game winning streak will see them finish in 8th albeit well away from the playoffs.
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