Pressure on the Waratahs to make the Finals

[Ali's Choice]

The Waratahs’ overnight loss to the Sharks sets up a mouth-watering run into the finals. With just three games to play this is the state of play for the teams outside the top 3.

4th - Crusaders 48 points (game in hand)
5th - Sharks 47 points
6th – Waratahs 46 points
7th - Bulls 45 points
8th – Highlanders 44 points

The pressure is really on the Waratahs. Whilst they currently sit in 6th position, and occupy the final wildcard spot, they have two crucial games ahead of them. They play a resurgent Bulls team in Pretoria next week, before hosting the Highlanders 8 days later in Sydney after a long flight back from the Republic. It goes without saying that these two matches are crucial for all teams involved.

It’s looking likely that 54 points should be enough to scrape into the top 6. If that’s the case, the Waratahs must win at least one of these clashes, before they meet the out of form Brumbies in Round 18 for what is a fixture they simply must win, and should win given both teams’ respective form.

 

[Slim 293]

It'll be quite a feat in the current format if the NZ conference supplies 3 teams in the finals...

 

[Bullrush]

I think it would be quite fitting and a good reflection of their seasons if the winner of that last game gets through to the finals. Personally, I'd love to see the Highlanders get thru but if they can't beat the Tahs in that last game then they probably don't deserve to be there. Same for the Tahs.

 

[Ali's Choice]

It'll be quite a feat in the current format if the NZ conference supplies 3 teams in the finals...

Personally, I can't see that happening. I think the long season is starting to catch up to the Highlanders. I cannot see them beating the Tahs in Sydney or the Blues in Auckland.

 

[Scarfman]

4th - Crusaders 48 points (game in hand)
5th - Sharks 47 points
6th – Waratahs 46 points
7th – Bulls 45 points
8th - Highlanders 44 points

CRUSADERS - Bye, Blues (H), Hurricanes (H)
SHARKS - Cheetahs (A), Lions (A), Bulls (A)
WARATAHS - Bulls (A), Highlanders (H), Brumbies (H)
BULLS - Waratahs (H), Stormers (A), Sharks (H)
HIGHLANDERS - Force (H), Waratahs (A), Blues (A)

Looking at that list, the Bulls have a real shot at 5th spot. Maybe Sharks 6th, Tahs 7th?

 

[fatprop]

Tahs will struggle to make it after last night, the Bulls are back, the Highlanders will be difficult and the Brumbies will consider their season a near success if they can screw up the Tahs progression

 

[Ali's Choice]

4th - Crusaders 48 points (game in hand)
5th - Sharks 47 points
6th – Waratahs 46 points
7th – Bulls 45 points
8th - Highlanders 44 points

CRUSADERS - Bye, Blues (H), Hurricanes (H)
SHARKS - Cheetahs (A), Lions (A), Bulls (A)
WARATAHS - Bulls (A), Highlanders (H), Brumbies (H)
BULLS - Waratahs (H), Stormers (A), Sharks (H)
HIGHLANDERS - Force (H), Waratahs (A), Blues (A)

Looking at that list, the Bulls have a real shot at 5th spot. Maybe Sharks 6th, Tahs 7th?

Yeah, the points I allocated in the OP were from stuff.co.nz and failed to include the Bulls' overnight win. I will ammend the OP accordingly.

I think the Bulls might scrape into the semis, but that will, in all likelihood, involve a trip to NZ for a semi final. And whilst no-one should ever write off a champion team, I don't think they are the same oponent playing away as they are in Pretoria at Fortress Loftus.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Tahs will struggle to make it after last night, the Bulls are back, the Highlanders will be difficult and the Brumbies will consider their season a near success if they can screw up the Tahs progression

I think the Waratahs will lose in Pretoria, but beat the Highlanders, thus ensuring that their clash with the Brumbies is effectively a sudden death elimination final. And given the current state of the Brumbies, and the fact that the Waratahs will have everything to play for, I see the men from NSW winning and securing a finals place.

 

[Scarfman]

The Sharks / Bulls clash in the final round will probably eliminate one of them.

 

[Ali's Choice]

The Sharks / Bulls clash in the final round will probably eliminate one of them.

Indeed. You could add that clash to those listed in the OP as being absolutely crucial in deciding the final wildcard spots. I do think it is a bit weird though, how the Bulls and Sharks played only last week and they play again so soon.

I think all these upcoming crunch games are a boon for Super Rugby, and a testament to expanded finals format. Six playoff teams instead of four means more teams contesting for finals spots, and more important late-season games.

 

[Guy]

basic skills... passes that hit the target, securing the ball in the tackle, and support play... forget 'boring' footy as some idiots keep carrying on about, we need to concentrate on simply being professionals...

 

[tigerland12]

Otago are doing the same thing the Reds did last year, starting to slip off at the business end. I'd like to see them get through though, but I think Sharks and Bulls will grab 5th and 6th, simply because they have a home games, Waratahs on the road against the Bulls and Otago (this game is vital) might struggle a bit

 

[disco]

I think the Reds will finish on top of the log now they have pipped the Crusaders so if the Tahs make the finals I hope they don't finish 6th.

I'm happy for the Reds to play anyone but the Saders or Tahs in the 1st week of the finals.

 

[tigerland12]

I think the Reds will finish on top of the log now they have pipped the Crusaders so if the Tahs make the finals I hope they don't finish 6th.

I'm happy for the Reds to play anyone but the Saders or Tahs in the 1st week of the finals.

Well if the Reds finish first they won't be playing anyone in the first week of the finals

 

[Ruggo]

I think the Reds will finish on top of the log now they have pipped the Crusaders so if the Tahs make the finals I hope they don't finish 6th.

I'm happy for the Reds to play anyone but the Saders or Tahs in the 1st week of the finals.

I hope you are wright disco. I have an uneasy feeling about the Reds run home. It looks easy on paper but in context all three games are banana sking games.

1/ Our record over the Brumbies is still shit.
2/ The NZ travel is still a bit of a bogey and the Chiefs can be a surprise package on any given day.
3/ We have never won in Perth and it is the last chance for a lot of Force players to put their hand up for Wallaby selection.

That being said, this whole season has been built around putting these little challengers to bed.

 

[disco]

Well if the Reds finish first they won't be playing anyone in the first week of the finals

How does the finals play out then I thought it would just be 1v6 2v5 & 3v4 with the winner staying on.

 

[cyclopath]

How does the finals play out then I thought it would just be 1v6 2v5 & 3v4 with the winner staying on.

So what do you do with 3 teams?
1 and 2 week off, 3 v 6, 4 v 5 then 1 and 2 play those winners respectively.

 

[Blue]

Yeah, the points I allocated in the OP were from stuff.co.nz and failed to include the Bulls' overnight win. I will ammend the OP accordingly.

I think the Bulls might scrape into the semis, but that will, in all likelihood, involve a trip to NZ for a semi final. And whilst no-one should ever write off a champion team, I don't think they are the same oponent playing away as they are in Pretoria at Fortress Loftus.

Still back the Bulls to win all their remaining games. Problem is by the time they get on a plane they will havd had seven colors of shit beaten out of them, especially after the last two games that will both be physically intense.

So if they make it they playoffs it's in all likelihood the Crusaders or Stormers away and the latter is obviosuly the preferred route.

 

[GC]

I think it is 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 in the first week of the finals. Winner of each plays 1 and 2 in the second week. Final in 3'rd week.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Why is it that whether it's a 4 team final or 6, the tahs do only just enough to get there