The Super 14 2010 season final has been played, and before I sit to watch the replay, without knowing the outcome, I share the following reflections.
Of the four teams that made the finals from the end of regular season log -
1st Bulls
2nd Stormers
3rd Waratahs
4th Crusaders
Only 2 of these teams have an historical expectancy of winning, and they - the Crusaders and Bulls - played each other in the semi-final, meaning only 1 (the Bulls as it turned out) could progress.
The other semi was played between two teams that do not have this historical expectantcy of winning.
The Bulls and the Stormers met overnight in Soweto, SA, for the title of 2010 Super 14 Champion.
Bulls to win. No reshaping of history in relation to teams who have won a Super competition during the last 18 or so years.
Showing posts with label Teams - Stormers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teams - Stormers. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
SA teams to fade out of Top 4 if....
Here's my calls...
* The Stormers may fade out of the Top 4
* If the Blue Bulls lose too many on the Road they will at best make 3 or 4, and from memory no SA team has won the competition from that position, because unless they play on home soil, the travel over here AGAIN to play in the finals is their undoing
* If the SA teams fade as above, that leaves more spaces for AUS and NZ teams.
* If the playoffs occur in AUS or NZ, it raises the chances of the ANZ teams winning compared to if they were being played in SA
* Unlike last year Aust will have 1 if not 2 teams in the Top 4
The next question is - will this translate into a better performance by Aust in the Tri-Nations?
* The Stormers may fade out of the Top 4
* If the Blue Bulls lose too many on the Road they will at best make 3 or 4, and from memory no SA team has won the competition from that position, because unless they play on home soil, the travel over here AGAIN to play in the finals is their undoing
* If the SA teams fade as above, that leaves more spaces for AUS and NZ teams.
* If the playoffs occur in AUS or NZ, it raises the chances of the ANZ teams winning compared to if they were being played in SA
* Unlike last year Aust will have 1 if not 2 teams in the Top 4
The next question is - will this translate into a better performance by Aust in the Tri-Nations?
Friday, March 26, 2010
SA teams weak means more final chances for Australian teams
When SA has two strong teams in the Super competition, it means less Aussie teams make it to the final 4. When SA have say the Sharks and the Bulls firing, that leaves only 2 spots to fit all Aust and NZ teams into. Sounds simplistic, but this was one of the factors that contribed to no Australian teams making the playoffs in 2009. A point I am sure is not lost on the ARU.
In 2010, with the Sharks strong on paper and weak on the field, only the Bulls are left. What about the Stormers you ask? If they were still in the mix at the end of the regular season it would be almost out of character. They have a habit of slipping out of contention as the season moves to an end. As for the winning the championship - that would be really against history.
In 2010, with the Sharks strong on paper and weak on the field, only the Bulls are left. What about the Stormers you ask? If they were still in the mix at the end of the regular season it would be almost out of character. They have a habit of slipping out of contention as the season moves to an end. As for the winning the championship - that would be really against history.
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