Crunch Time

Howdie Howdie.

So it’s the easter period and a crucial time for the Super 14. I’ve let the ball slip a bit with the predictions, but I hope to be back on track next week.

What looked like a very mediocre weekend in the Super 14 is actually turning out to be one of the most crucial weekends of the tournament.

The two teams that have a bye have it at a time when they need to recuperate and find some inspiration. The Sharks have been playing Shit over the last two weeks and this is coming from a die-hard sharks fan.

We already have two results with the Stormers breaking their loosing streak and the Lions getting a hiding in Perth.

What can we look forward to tomorrow? Well the first Saturday game sees the Blues host the Reds. The Blues are currently on 28 points with 3 points in sight against the ailing Reds. A win in Auckland will see the Blues on 31 points, the same as the Chiefs and the Sharks. However, they will jump to the top of the log courtesy of their high number of bonus points. The Blues are on form and Rene Ranger will be hoping to threaten the whitewash in an attempt to claim yet another bonus point for the once upon a time champions. They have the mettle to do it, Blues by 10.

Then we see two teams that are keen for a semi final spot playing each other. The Hurricanes play host to a Brumbies team that will be playing every game form here out for the late Shaun MacKay. If the Hurricanes win they will then surpass the Blues at the top of the table with 32 points. If the Brumbies win they will move into 3rd, with the Bulls vs Chiefs game still to come.

I think the Hurricanes have a point to prove, being the highest rated New Zealand team to never win the tournament be it Super 10, 12 or 14. However, the Brumbies are off the piss and want to win the tournament. My head says the Hurricanes by 10 but don’t put the house on it.

The next two games, if played with a South African final in mind can help the Sharks and Bulls immensely in the tournament.

The Cheetahs host the Crusaders in Bloem with an upset on the cards. An epic battle between Juan Smith and Richie McCaw will be the highlight of the match.

If the Cheetahs win, they will have a reason to get drunk and listen to DE LA RAY DE LA RAY on repeat for the rest of the evening. However, that will mean that the Crusaders will not have a hope of making the Semi Finals.

The highflying Chiefs are in Pretoria to play the Bulls. Both are must wins for each team as the Bulls will finish the week at the top of the log should they win. Should the Chiefs win they will retain their position.

It’s the closest super rugby tournament to date. Only 5 points separate the top 8 teams! Chances are that the Semi Finals will be decided on bonus points. This will make the Sharks and Brumbies, each on three bonus points, and the Waratahs and Crusader, each on 4 bonus points, worry a bit.

Deciding the Super 14 semi finals on bonus points is like deciding the Barclay Card English Premiership on goal difference. It just isn’t fair!

There were calls in the past for a round of quarterfinals, which will see an equal playing field going into the finals. However, this will be quite a way off as Sanzar is focusing more on extending the number of teams in the tournament.