G
Geeves
Guest
There are a number of things I don’t like about this year’s format. It’s bad enough that you don’t get to play all sides. For example the Reds miss both the Sharks and Highlanders. These would have been two tough games and well I have always a certain respect for the Highlanders especially after they knocked QLD out of the finals race at Ballymore one year.
The thing I really don’t like this year is the points you collect for having a week off. In fact it’s something that is bugging the hell out of me. I know there are always the arguments about the bonus points but at least I can vaguely understand what they are trying to do but hell (I’m assuming that everyone gets 2 Byes?) all the Bye points do is hide how a side is doing.
The second thing that annoys me is the automatic semi for a conference winner. So let’s have a look at the following table (after round 11 data from http://www.superxv.com/)
See T1 Round 11.jpg
Now let’s do three things. The First option is to remove the 4 points you get for having a rest, the second is what happens if we ignored the conference rule and the last is getting rid of bonus points because sooner of later someone is going to ask
See R11 2.jpg
Firstly the really ugly and obvious thing is how badly the Brumbies are doing this year. It’s made worse that really the Aus and SA teams are clogging up the arse end of the table. Now the aim of this dribble is not to abuse a team but to highlight that the BYE points are worthless. Let’s face it if everyone gets equal number of them why award them?
The other thing I really don’t like is the winner of the conference gets an automatic place. Well let’s face it the Crusaders are once again playing bloody good rugby. They also had a voluntary draw this year with the Hurricanes after the earthquake. As the Hurricanes are playing poorly this year (yes I know they won last week) I would have been surprised if they could have beaten the Crusaders this year. The difference between hosting a final and travelling for a final has always favoured the home side (I believe, I don’t have the data on me, someone can prove me wrong). I think that the finals should be based on position on the total points as it rewards teams that have done well throughout the season.
What I did find interesting was that the bonus points had SFA to do with the final 6 this year. Normally they are critical. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season finishes.
Lets at least get rid of the bonus points for next year.
The thing I really don’t like this year is the points you collect for having a week off. In fact it’s something that is bugging the hell out of me. I know there are always the arguments about the bonus points but at least I can vaguely understand what they are trying to do but hell (I’m assuming that everyone gets 2 Byes?) all the Bye points do is hide how a side is doing.
The second thing that annoys me is the automatic semi for a conference winner. So let’s have a look at the following table (after round 11 data from http://www.superxv.com/)
See T1 Round 11.jpg
Now let’s do three things. The First option is to remove the 4 points you get for having a rest, the second is what happens if we ignored the conference rule and the last is getting rid of bonus points because sooner of later someone is going to ask
See R11 2.jpg
Firstly the really ugly and obvious thing is how badly the Brumbies are doing this year. It’s made worse that really the Aus and SA teams are clogging up the arse end of the table. Now the aim of this dribble is not to abuse a team but to highlight that the BYE points are worthless. Let’s face it if everyone gets equal number of them why award them?
The other thing I really don’t like is the winner of the conference gets an automatic place. Well let’s face it the Crusaders are once again playing bloody good rugby. They also had a voluntary draw this year with the Hurricanes after the earthquake. As the Hurricanes are playing poorly this year (yes I know they won last week) I would have been surprised if they could have beaten the Crusaders this year. The difference between hosting a final and travelling for a final has always favoured the home side (I believe, I don’t have the data on me, someone can prove me wrong). I think that the finals should be based on position on the total points as it rewards teams that have done well throughout the season.
What I did find interesting was that the bonus points had SFA to do with the final 6 this year. Normally they are critical. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season finishes.
Lets at least get rid of the bonus points for next year.
