The run home: the comp gets serious
- Thread starter Lindommer
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TOCC
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Chiefs could land a killer blow on the hurricanes finals hopes tonight if they hold out for a win
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chief
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And suddenly the Hurricanes are back in contention for the finals.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
The Bulls and Stormers are charging into the distance, and although the rest are still ranked the same as last week, it is getting a lot more congested.
At this stage, if any team wants to win the title they'll have to do it in South Africa, potentially at altitude.
The 3rd and 4th positions look to be open to: Crusaders, Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Hurricanes.....the Aussie teams are all in a position to get into the finals but any more losses, especially to the other contenders, would now almost certainly cost them the final 4 position. Based on this week, the Brumbies and Hurricanes look the form teams BUT there have been plenty of twists and turns to now, so I wouldn't rule out a few more (a big turn around for the Waratahs would be appreciated about now).
At this stage, if any team wants to win the title they'll have to do it in South Africa, potentially at altitude.
The 3rd and 4th positions look to be open to: Crusaders, Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Hurricanes.....the Aussie teams are all in a position to get into the finals but any more losses, especially to the other contenders, would now almost certainly cost them the final 4 position. Based on this week, the Brumbies and Hurricanes look the form teams BUT there have been plenty of twists and turns to now, so I wouldn't rule out a few more (a big turn around for the Waratahs would be appreciated about now).
Twelve down, two to go. Those sitting 3, 4 and 5 on the ladder all lose but keep their spots. Who woulda thunk that could happen? Canes have revived their finals hopes and are now jostling for a 3 or 4 finish. So the Bulls and Stormers are in (they should finish 1 and 2) while the Saders, Reds, Tahs, Brumbies and Canes slug it out for the right to get flogged in RSA. The run home for the Saders is still horrific (I predicted to my son the Saders wouldn't win a match in the last four rounds, looking good) while the Reds have grabbed the Saders' Chinaman for a smooching session resulting in all their tall timber getting the chop. The Saders, Stormers and Reds have difficult roads to hoe but the Stormers have four priceless competition points up their sleeve. I could quite easily see the Saders and Reds missing out. The other finalist? I'd love to say the Tahs but the way they're playing I don't think even I can raise a cheer for them. The two last round matches (Saders/Ponies and Tahs/Canes) should result in the winners going through; however, my crystal ball's clouded up. But, significantly, for each of the seven finals aspirants their future is entirely in their own hands with two rounds to go.
The run home for the remaining finals contenders and the two spoilers (Sharks and Chiefs) is as follows:
Bulls SADERS/STORMERS
Stormers Sharks/BULLS
Saders BULLS/PONIES
Reds CANES/Clan
Tahs Chiefs/CANES
Brumbies Clan/SADERS
Canes REDS/TAHS
Sharks STORMERS/Force
Chiefs TAHS/Blues
My (current) prediction: Bulls, Stormers + who cares x 2.
Legend: home games in black, away games in red, finals contenders in CAPITALS.
The run home for the remaining finals contenders and the two spoilers (Sharks and Chiefs) is as follows:
Bulls SADERS/STORMERS
Stormers Sharks/BULLS
Saders BULLS/PONIES
Reds CANES/Clan
Tahs Chiefs/CANES
Brumbies Clan/SADERS
Canes REDS/TAHS
Sharks STORMERS/Force
Chiefs TAHS/Blues
My (current) prediction: Bulls, Stormers + who cares x 2.
Legend: home games in black, away games in red, finals contenders in CAPITALS.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Let's assume Lindo is right. Who do you guys think are the most likely to travel to SA and beat those two teams?
The Brumbies did well in Pretoria and won in Cape Town. The Tahs did okay. The Reds we don't know - this team hasn't played in CT and Pretoria. The Crusaders on recent form and last year - no.
The Hurricanes did well...especiall against the Bulsl where they pushed them to the end as did the Brumbies.
I would say Canes in Pretoria and Brumbies in Cape Town have the best chance.
The Tahs will push both the SA teams close but I think those two teams are a better chance of winning - the Tahs simply won't be able to score enough points to win at either venue.
The Brumbies did well in Pretoria and won in Cape Town. The Tahs did okay. The Reds we don't know - this team hasn't played in CT and Pretoria. The Crusaders on recent form and last year - no.
The Hurricanes did well...especiall against the Bulsl where they pushed them to the end as did the Brumbies.
I would say Canes in Pretoria and Brumbies in Cape Town have the best chance.
The Tahs will push both the SA teams close but I think those two teams are a better chance of winning - the Tahs simply won't be able to score enough points to win at either venue.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Thanks Lind, you really keep us informed. Dont care as long as the Stormers make the semis and if its on Newlands , the better.
Will be interesting to see if our teams make the finals, Orlando will be to small, mind you , you wont find a big enough venue if our two teams battle it out in a S14 final.
Will be interesting to see if our teams make the finals, Orlando will be to small, mind you , you wont find a big enough venue if our two teams battle it out in a S14 final.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
The only team that is safely in the top 4 is the Bulls. Stormers have two very tough games to finish, and it is still possible they will miss out. Unlikely, I know, but somewhat more likely that they could miss a home semi. If I was a Bulls fan I would be hoping that the Reds or Tahs can win the final two games, and the Stormers only win one, without bonus points. My team (I mean the Bulls) would have an even better shot of a title in that case.
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