The anomaly of the Super 14 points system
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By ThoughtsOnSports, 7 May 2009 ThoughtsOnSports is a Roar Rookie
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- Bulls, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rugby Union, Sharks, Super Rugby
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It is possible that the top of the Super 14 table will look like the following, with only the final Sharks Vs Bulls match to go.
Chiefs 42
Crusaders 42
Hurricanes 41
*Bulls 41
*Sharks 39
At first glance, the Sharks Vs Bulls match looks like a must win game for both teams.
But if the Sharks beat the Bulls in a close, high-scoring match, so the Sharks get five points and Bulls get two, then we have two home semi-finals in South Africa.
This type of scenario is a contentious feature of the Super 14 points system.
It is odd that the number of points awarded differs from match to match in the Super 14. The two teams in a close, high scoring match get seven (5+2) points awarded to them, while a comfortable win in a low scoring match results in only four (4+0) points being awarded.
One way the table could end up as above is as follows.
In Round 13, the Crusaders get a bonus point win against the Reds; the Bulls roll the Cheetahs but fail to get a bonus point; the Chiefs get up in a close, low scoring match against the Hurricanes, and the Sharks do the same against the Waratahs.
No real upsets there. And the top of the table looks like the following after Round 13.
Chiefs 41
Bulls 41
Hurricanes 40
Sharks 39
Crusaders 37
In the final round, the Brumbies and Reds upset the Chiefs and Hurricanes in two close matches (unlikely, but certainly possible, especially with the hot and cold form of the Reds); while the Crusaders get a bonus point win over the Blues.
This leaves the top of table as it is above.
It is unlikely that the matches will unfold exactly like this, but it seems inevitable that something like this will eventually happen with the Super 14 points system.
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Bonza said | May 7th 2009 @ 5:10am | Report comment
Np sign of theTahs or Brumbies – I think the Tahs can beat the Sharks and that only leaves the Lions – With two wins of 4points they would be in the mix that you discuss. Brumbies the same
sheek said | May 7th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Crikey, I’ve written some rubbish whenever I’ve been bored, but this is right up there with the best gibberish.
So, it’s all the fault of the bonus system???
It’s alway the fault of someone, or something else – never the players & coaches themselves, if they don’t achieve what they wanted to. Perish the thought it could be their own shortcomings to blame.
ThoughtsOnSports said | May 7th 2009 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Bonza: I agree, the Tahs and the Brumbies could well be in the mix.
Sheek: I actually like the bonus points system.
The point is that a situation may arise where the Sharks and the Bulls could in theory get together before their match and agree to fix it so that they both get home finals. From the Sharks and Bulls point of view, this would be very desirable in view of the fact that both are in danger of missing the finals altogether.
There’s no suggestion that they would collude, but if it did turn out that the Sharks got 5 points and the Bulls got 2, then a few people would be wondering?
sheek said | May 7th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
TOS,
The Sharks & Bulls collude? Surely this doesn’t happen in professional sport, does it???
Okay, at least you have explained yourself better.
But you know the saying, “what a tangled web we weave……….!”
AndyS said | May 7th 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
I heard there been rumblings in SA about the boost the Brumbies got last weekend, so wonder people might…
LeftArmSpinner said | May 8th 2009 @ 7:00am | Report comment
If, if and if……….. It will be what will be. I’m just waiting to see the game of the year, Chiefs V the Hurricanes………. and the boys are back, Masaga and Sivi. Strap in for a big one……….
Sandy B said | May 8th 2009 @ 9:39pm | Report comment
Well the Crusaders have put in the first peice of the jigsaw to move to 37 points
Now if the Chiefs lose to the Highlanders with no points, the brumbies win with a bonus point, the tahs beat the sharks with a bonus point and the sharks get 2 bonus points, AND the bulls lose to the cheetahs with no bonus points then the table would be like this:
Canes 43
Chiefs 37
Bulls 37
Sharks 37
Crusaders 37
Tahs 37
Brumbies 37
Bring it on !
katzilla said | May 9th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Sandy i assume you mean the Canes and not the highlanders. But yeah thats the table i’d like to see lol.
Come on the Canes! The Pizza and Beers are ready for the biggest blockbuster of the year.
If Hamiltron (city of the future) is not a sell out then give the franchise to someone else and take back all our unwanted Canes territory players.