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Following on from the penultimate round of the 2014 Super Rugby, it is probably a good time to have a look at where we are at.
It’s a time when I look back over the season and look at the “who would have thoughts!”
Without the discipline of Roarer Who Needs Melon to watch every single Australian game and analyse statistics to produce a team of the round or Roarer Diggercane’s eloquent interpretation borne of countless dedicated hours to the game, as a layman I thought I’d throw out my top points of interest.
Ultimately, I’d love to hear what has made this season so interesting or not for my fellow Roarers.
#1 The finals race
Sure we will know the top six by 9.15pm, it won’t be before the end of the round that we will know final placings.
Yes the Waratahs will finish number one, but given other potential challengers, other home games will be crucial. Perhaps I have not paid much attention before – yes, as you know I am a Force supporter- but I can’t remember final six permutations as open as they are now one round out.
Besides the Waratahs, everything is up in the air for the fans of the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Blues, Force, Brumbies, Highlanders and Crusaders.
#2 The Force
They’ve won the close ones this year but not put anyone to the sword. Heading into the final round, they have the same amount of points but more wins that the champion Chiefs? I would have liked odds for that at the start of the season.
#3 The Waratahs
Handed the trophy in Round 2 by the NSW brigade and then mocked as “February champions” through the middle rounds, the Tahs have found their mojo. Love them or hate them, there cannot be a true rugby lover, outside of Queensland, that can’t find inspiration from Potgieter’s evident and infectious joy of playing the game.
#4 The New Zealand conference
This weekend will decide whether three Australian teams or three New Zealand teams make the top six. This may possibly lead to ‘strongest conference’ conversations and I guess there are two points of view. For the Australian teams, the Force, Brumbies and Waratahs are in finals contention, whereas all New Zealand teams can make it.
It is also valid to throw in the disclaimer that the South African sides have been pretty even which, in conjunction with their poor away record (understandably) has not helped.
#5 The Reds
What an absolutely spectacular fall from grace. Personally I thought that after their victory over the Rebels they were on the right track but an average game from the Force put this in perspective.
I suppose that the shining light is, despite the fact that they are losing players to every other completion in the world and look to have given up on local talent (what is Kerevi doing next year?), they look to have James O’Connor sewn up.
#6 The Sharks
After two amazing wins in New Zealand, against the all the odds and playing a man short most of the time, the Sharks have gone home and lost two crucial derbies to drop the all-important top spot.
I think that this is an indicator that, despite the fact that only the Sharks will make the six (have I got this wrong mathematicians?), the South African conference is strong but travel hurts.
As I note above, I am probably more interested in what my fellow Roarers think and put the above six points together as starting points for conversation. All in all, in my opinion, regardless of the results this weekend and in the finals, it has been an absorbing season. Super Rugby is alive and strong.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.