The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
It is that time of year again, the Super Rugby finals are upon us! Casting an eye over the list of finals competitors, it would seem apparent that there are some usual suspects present. I decided to delve a little further into the finals history of our 6 candidates this year, and have come up with some interesting numbers.
First, I compiled a list of the number of times that each playoff candidate has made the Super Rugby finals. I have excluded Super competitions prior to 1996. As the game went professional in 1996, I thought it was apt to only include finals appearances in the professional era. To do otherwise would have skewed the results.
I also compiled the number of games played in the finals, and each teams winning %. My list also includes championships won, and championship winning percentage, calculated from the number of times a team has appeared in the finals (not on games won). I have not included this year in my figures, as although the six teams have qualified, they are yet to play a finals game this year.
So, strap yourselves in, here we go!
As we can see, the Crusaders are by far the most effective when it comes to the finals. Next cab off the rank is the Bulls. The Bulls have featured in the finals six times since 1996, and have won 6 of the 9 games they have played. An interesting stat is the 40% win percentage of the Reds. In win percentages of the finals contenders, the Reds have the third best winning percentage. This is also reflected in the number of championships won.
An interesting stat is that of all the teams that will feature in the finals this year, the Sharks have the most appearances behind the Crusaders. However, they are the second least effective percentage wise, only ahead of the Stormers.
- interesting fact!-
New Zealand is the only country to have had all of their teams feature in at least one grand final. The Blues have won the championship 3 times, the Crusaders 7 times. The Chiefs featured in the 2009 final, the Highlanders lost to the Crusaders in the 1999 final, and the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders in the 2006 final.
Head to Head
This weekend the Crusaders will play the Bulls, and the Reds will play the Shorks. I cast an eye on the number of times these sides have gone head to head in the finals. I found some interesting results.
The following table shows the finals head to heads of the Crusaders and the Bulls:
As you can see, the Crusaders have only one once against the Bulls in four finals encounters. Mind you, the three Bulls wins were in South Africa.
The Reds and the Sharks have faced each other once in the finals. That was in 1996. The game was played at Ballymore, and the Sharks emerged victorious.
What does this all mean?
Realistically, to me all of these stats don't mean a lot. In my opinion, the form teams at the moment are the Reds and Crusaders. However, finals rugby is a different beast. Past history is not going to win any team a game this weekend. It just makes for interesting (I hope) reading.It is going to be a hell of a ride. Stock up the beer fridge.
First, I compiled a list of the number of times that each playoff candidate has made the Super Rugby finals. I have excluded Super competitions prior to 1996. As the game went professional in 1996, I thought it was apt to only include finals appearances in the professional era. To do otherwise would have skewed the results.
I also compiled the number of games played in the finals, and each teams winning %. My list also includes championships won, and championship winning percentage, calculated from the number of times a team has appeared in the finals (not on games won). I have not included this year in my figures, as although the six teams have qualified, they are yet to play a finals game this year.
So, strap yourselves in, here we go!
As we can see, the Crusaders are by far the most effective when it comes to the finals. Next cab off the rank is the Bulls. The Bulls have featured in the finals six times since 1996, and have won 6 of the 9 games they have played. An interesting stat is the 40% win percentage of the Reds. In win percentages of the finals contenders, the Reds have the third best winning percentage. This is also reflected in the number of championships won.
An interesting stat is that of all the teams that will feature in the finals this year, the Sharks have the most appearances behind the Crusaders. However, they are the second least effective percentage wise, only ahead of the Stormers.
- interesting fact!-
New Zealand is the only country to have had all of their teams feature in at least one grand final. The Blues have won the championship 3 times, the Crusaders 7 times. The Chiefs featured in the 2009 final, the Highlanders lost to the Crusaders in the 1999 final, and the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders in the 2006 final.
Head to Head
This weekend the Crusaders will play the Bulls, and the Reds will play the Shorks. I cast an eye on the number of times these sides have gone head to head in the finals. I found some interesting results.
The following table shows the finals head to heads of the Crusaders and the Bulls:
As you can see, the Crusaders have only one once against the Bulls in four finals encounters. Mind you, the three Bulls wins were in South Africa.
The Reds and the Sharks have faced each other once in the finals. That was in 1996. The game was played at Ballymore, and the Sharks emerged victorious.
What does this all mean?
Realistically, to me all of these stats don't mean a lot. In my opinion, the form teams at the moment are the Reds and Crusaders. However, finals rugby is a different beast. Past history is not going to win any team a game this weekend. It just makes for interesting (I hope) reading.It is going to be a hell of a ride. Stock up the beer fridge.
