Guys – it’s taken weeks of cajoling, pestering and, I’m sorry to say, even a few veiled threats but I have finally succeeded on getting a quorum of the Sharksworld “brains trust” to send in their predictions for this year’s Super 14. Herewith the official collations, sliced-and-diced to give you our (totally meaningless yet statistically accurate) opinion of what the final Super 14 log will look like.
Top spot was a tooth-and-nail battle between the Sharks and the Crusaders for top spot. The New England Pony Club had the most outright votes for first place, but the Sharks just squeaked it on average position. Of the eight contributors polled, only PJLD and Rugby Guru picked someone other than these two teams to bag top spot.
Our other two semifinalists, according to the averaged-out log, will be the Blues and the Hurricanes, meaning it will be the Sharks all alone against the might of the New Zealanders. The best Aussie challenge is likely to come from the Waratahs, in fifth spot. The other Saffa teams are unlikely to do as well as their own hype would suggest… the Stormers will manage a lowly 6th place, with the Bulls one spot further back.
At the southern end of the table, it was a veritable free-for-all, with four teams well in contention for the wooden spoon. At the end of the day, though, we (mostly) all agreed that the rag-tag bunch of no-hopers parading as the Cheetahs are a shoo-in for 14th spot, with the Reds, Lions and Highlanders above them, in that order.
Here is our consolidated log:
| # | Team | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharks | 1 (robdylan, baldrick) | 3 (KSA, Agent Orange, PJLD) |
| 2 | Crusaders | 1 (KSA, wpw, Agent Orange, Big Fish) | 4 (Rugby Guru, PJLD) |
| 3 | Blues | 1 (PJLD) | 7 (robdylan) |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 2 (KSA, Agent Orange) | 8 (Big Fish) |
| 5 | Waratahs | 2 (PJLD) | 8 (Rugby Guru, wpw) |
| 6 | Stormers | 4 (KSA) | 9 (Rugby Guru, Agent Orange) |
| 7 | Bulls | 5 (Big Fish) | 9 (robdylan) |
| 8 | Brumbies | 2 (baldrick) | 11 (Rugby Guru) |
| 9 | Chiefs | 1 (Rugby Guru) | 11 (wpw) |
| 10 | Force | 3 (Rugby Guru) | 11 (KSA, baldrick) |
| 11 | Highlanders | 10 (Rugby Guru, wpw) | 14 (KSA) |
| 12 | Lions | 10 (KSA, Baldrick) | 14 (Agent Orange, wpw) |
| 13 | Reds | 11 (Agent Orange) | 14 (Baldrick, Big Fish) |
| 14 | Cheetahs | 11 (Big Fish) | 14 (robdylam, Rugby Guru, PJLD) |
And, for completeness, here are the individual logs:
robdylan: Sharks, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Stormers, Waratahs, Blues, Brumbies, Bulls, Force, Lions, Highlanders, Reds, Cheetahs.
Rugby Guru: Chiefs, Sharks, Force, Crusaders, Blues, Hurricanes, Bulls, Waratahs, Stormers, Highlanders, Brumbies, Lions, Reds, Cheetahs.
KSA Shark: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sharks, Stormers, Waratahs , Blues, Bulls, Brumbies, Chiefs, Lions, Force, Reds, Cheetahs, Highlanders.
wpw: Crusaders, Sharks, Blues, Hurricanes, Stormers, Brumbies, Bulls, Waratahs, Force, Highlanders, Chiefs, Cheetahs, Reds, Lions.
Agent Orange: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sharks, Blues, Waratahs, Bulls, Chiefs, Brumbies, Stormers, Force, Reds, Highlanders, Cheetahs, Lions.
PJLD:Blues, Waratahs, Sharks, Crusaders, Force, Bulls, Hurricanes, Stormers, Brumbies, Chiefs, Highlanders, Reds, Lions, Cheetahs.
baldrick:Sharks, Brumbies, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Blues, Stormers, Waratahs, Bulls, Chiefs, Lions, Force, Cheetahs, Highlanders, Reds.
Big Fish: Crusaders, Sharks, Blues, Brumbies, Bulls, Stormers, Waratahs, Hurricanes, Force, Chiefs, Cheetahs, Highlanders, Lions, Reds.
read em and weep!
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
Dont I qualify for the brains trust?
Sent you mine ages ago.
Here are mine predictions:
1. Sharks
)
2. Crusaders
3. Stormers (I know, I know… but I am biased & want to avoid two SA teams meeting in the semi’s
4. Canes
5. Brumbies
6. Bulls
7. Chiefs
8. Blues
9. Waratahs
10. Highlanders
11. Force
12. Lions
13. Reds
14. Cheetahs
@Big Fish (Comment 2) : did you? Shit… why couldn’t I find them?
Ok – no big deal.. I can amend
@Big Fish (Comment 2) :
No, the ones with actuall brains are not allowed to part take!
@MorneN (Comment 5) : To make it funnerer
Here it is:
1. Crusaders
2. Waratahs
3. Sharks
4. Chiefs
5. Blues
6. Stormers
7. Canes
8. Force
9. Bulls
10. Brumbies
11. Highlanders
12. Lions
13. Reds
14. Cheetahs
all right… Fish’s predictions are now included. Technically, the Saders and Sharks are now dead even, but I’ll give the Sharks the benefit of the doubt because they have a more settled squad and benign draw.
@MorneN (Comment 7) : dude, the Tahs have no props and the heart of their pack (Vicermann and Elsom) has been ripped out. No WAY they will finish second.
@MorneN (Comment 5) :
@PJLD (Comment 6) :
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
Jackass!
@robdylan (Comment 9) :
Watch…
@MorneN (Comment 11) : new coach as well…?
You guys need to remember as well that the Saders and Blues also have rookie coaches at this level. Canes and Chiefs are the only settled NZ sides this year.
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
Well the Sharks also have a rookie coach…
@MorneN (Comment 13) :
New ideas, new combinations…
Super 14 is not the Currie Cup…
Only 17 days until the Super14 Season starts!
@MorneN (Comment 13) : fair enough…
Here is my 5 cents worth( the not so brainy trust)
1. Sharks
2. Crusaders
3. Hurricanes
4. Blues
5. Stormers
6. Waratahs
7. Chiefs
8. Bulls
9. Force
10.Brumbies
11.Lions
12.Reds
13.Highlanders
14.Cheetahs
Someone made a comment earlier and it is very valid here actually.
I think it was BS who said, “NONE of the teams have REALLY good squads on paper”
That makes this a very unpredictable season IMO and in that vain Only the most outrageous of log predictions (one with the Cheetahs winning the trophy as an example
) can really be seen as being wrong.
let’s call this the anything can happen season.
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
Haha.
Man I just love getting you Sharks tensed up before we kick off!
Lets just start this damn comp already!
Arre they showing all the games in the UK?
@MorneN (Comment 19) : amen to that… this waiting is driving me crazy
@MorneN (Comment 19) :
Amen to the starting the comp already bit of that post.
snap
@robdylan (Comment 21) :
Like waiting for the due date all over again!
@MorneN (Comment 20) : They show about 2/3 a weekend.
@MorneN (Comment 20) : nah dude. They show one or two a week.
Lucky I have ways and means
@KSA Shark © (Comment 23) : crackle
POP
Pirates!
@MorneN (Comment 29) : no ways, dude. I pay
You sharkies aren’t objective enough. Personally i see a mid table finish for you guys…just missing a semi as your penchant for not scoring a bonus point will cost you dearly. Say about fifth. Stormers will sneak a fourth and get hammered in the semi’s Bulls will finish eighth, Cheetahs and Lions stone last – with perhaps there fixture being the decider.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : So do I.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 31) :
I got them in at 4, just because they have a soft tour.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 31) : so according to you, who will win?
@robdylan (Comment 34) : I suspect the Tahs, Saders will triumph.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) :
Yup, got them at 1 and 2 myself.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) : Tahs have no pack to speak of this year. Seriously, they cannot possibly win it.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) :
@MorneN (Comment 36) :
I think they have lost to many players and then still lost Doughnut and Kepu in the pre-season.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) :
Go and read their preview. Don’t worry about the prediction just read the preview. They have a big loss of personnel as one of their big problems.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) :
In comparison to other teams, they are not that much worse off than anyone else.
@MorneN (Comment 40) :
This is one of those where you and I are gonna go at it and end up agreeing to disagree.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 41) :
Yup, so lets just end it here!
I think you need to give the Blues a bit more respect than you have and as for WPW and Agent Orange putting the Lions last have you no clue??
HOI JA SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRKSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : They will just keep cheating in the set pieces – when has an Aussie team ever had a pack – when they pick their best 8 for the national side – they still blow.
For what its worth, mine are as follows.
1 and 2 are interchangable as are 13 and 14.
1. Crusaders
2. Sharks
3. Blues
4. Stormers
5. Chiefs
6. Waratahs
7. Canes
8. Force
9. Highlanders
10. Brumbies
11. Lions
12. Reds
13. Bulls
14. Cheetahs
Rugby Guru seems to have the closest one for me…
This is the probable…with a possible semi for the Stormers in place of either the Force or Blues, and the Crusaders always have a shot not matter what…in place of anyone…but I am pretty sure about my top six and bottom 3…but I think there could be 1 or two dif positions in the midfield with the LIONS the best outside chance to crack it into the top six
However I think this is going to be the most contested S14 yet and the points to secure a final semi spot might even be as low as between 33-35…
Chiefs,
Sharks,
Force,
Blues,
Stormers,
Crusaders,
Bulls,
Waratahs,
Lions,
Hurricanes,
Brumbies,
Highlanders,
Reds,
Cheetahs
@Hmmm (Comment 48) : Hmmmm ……Lions and Bulls above the Canes…..Hmmmm
@Hmmm (Comment 48) : I really like the Chiefs style of playing , but they blow hot and cold. If they can become consistant they could really win it
@Hmmm (Comment 48) :
i have to disagree quite a bit there.
Force to high
Crusaders to low
Bulls to high
Hurricanes to low
Brumbies to low
Cheetahs to high.
@Pokkel (Comment 50) :
If they have not been sandbagged by the opposition then those two pre-season wins may be an indication of a good season to come.
What do you reckon okes? Another sub-9-minuter today?
@Hmmm (Comment 48) : This is a joke right?
@klempie (Comment 53) :
Yip!!!!!!!
Right I am off. Let’s see how this goes on wet roads.
Sub 9 what?
Oooooh
@Pokkel (Comment 50) :
I think of all The NZ sides…they the ones to pull it off this year…
Crusaders have a stable unit but will not make it…they will not do as badly as they did in 2001 finishing 10th after 3 consec titles…but they will fight hard to finish in the top 6…
Why does mine always get sooooo many responses!??!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) :
LoL Cheetahs are in 14th place…LoL
@Hmmm (Comment 61) :
At least someone reads my posts.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) :
Force are going to do well against NZ teams…
Wins against the Canes/Saders/Highlanders/and possibly the Blues…
They are also going to win against the Brumbies/Tahs….
They will beat the Cheetahs/Stormers and possibly the Sharks/LIONS (they always seem to struggle against them though)…
A def 7 victories (not many by great margins) with a possible 2 others…
I recon they will squeeze in with 35-37 log points…
@Hmmm (Comment 60) : Cos everyone loves a comedian.
8:54 everyone.
@Hmmm (Comment 63) :
to much internal strife at the Force, as much as they do press statement after press statement that the problems they have won’t affect them on the field, the more clear it becomes that they are trying to gloss over the problems instead of solving them.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) :
Canes will only win 1 out of their 4 derbies…
Lose to the Force and Tahs…
And lose to the Bulls/LIONS/Stormers…
That is 8 loses out of 13 games…
@klempie (Comment 65) :
Well done, but you are slacking off, it was faster last night.
@klempie (Comment 54) :
Never….
@KSA Shark © (Comment 68) : It was 8:57 last night boet.
@Hmmm (Comment 67) : Like a typical Lions supporter, you are dreaming boet.
@klempie (Comment 64) :
Carry on…I’ll drop your Sharks down the list and then they wont get near the semi’s…LoL
@Hmmm (Comment 72) : NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
@klempie (Comment 71) :
About what? What part is a dream…why would a LIONS supporter dream tha the Canes lose 8 out of 13!??!
@Hmmm (Comment 67) :
Canes will beat Blues, Highlanders and MAYBE the Chiefs.
Blues and Highlanders to be really low on the table this season.
Canes will also beat Tahs, Brumbies and Reds
Canes will beat Lions, Cheetahs and Bulls.
8 wins maybe 9
@klempie (Comment 70) :
Oh sorry. Well done than, but you could have improved by more.
@Hmmm (Comment 74) : OOPS!!
I should learn to read the statement properly. That always caught me out in exams. Thought you were talking about the Saders. 
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : I can’t even take a shower now before I get in my car as I forgot my towel at home. However, there is a Sharks flag in my boot…hmmmm….
@klempie (Comment 73) :
That is better…after your “LIONS dreaming comment” I was soooo close…oh jinne…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 75) :
Nope…
Wanna bet???
@Hmmm (Comment 79) : Just remember, I am a fellow Bulls hater.
@klempie (Comment 78) :
Yes I saw it there ?!?
@Hmmm (Comment 80) : Take it to bet365. I over doubled my money on SA’s win yesterday.
I like to brag.
@Hmmm (Comment 82) : Not you Hmmmm….lol
@klempie (Comment 83) :
LoL
What do we name it and how does odds work!??!
The KSA vs HMM prediction bet…LoL
@klempie (Comment 84) :
LoL
@Hmmm (Comment 85) : Don’t ask me about how odds work. I just picked the big numbers.
Right. I am out of here. Remember, you all have an 8:54 1.7km to beat.
@klempie (Comment 87) :
LoL
@Big Fish (Comment 2) :
My sentiments exactly!
I only have 2 wishes for this super14 season
* The sharks win the blues by FAR, cause ill be watching that one live.
*The sharks are just higher on the log than the chiefs, cause my one teacher is a chief, and im not going through the whole “Hahaha I told you so!”
And winning it, well it would just be AWSOME!
1. Crusaders
2. Sharks
3. Blues
4. Stormers
5. Hurricanes
6. Waratahs
7. Chiefs
8. Brumbies
9. Bulls
10.Force
11.Highlanders
12.Lions
13.Reds
14.Cheetahs
sharksworld has a new logo…with aliens?
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 93) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : But Matthew did a good job with this one anyway…
@Villie (Comment 90) : did I leave out yours too?
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 95) :
Advanced for his age.
@NickyB (Comment 91) : fortunately the Sharks will be aiming a little bit higher than just ending above the Chiefs
At least, I hope so
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 95) : everyone’s a comic genius today. And, clearly, a photoshop whizz as well
And they should be aiming 2 crush the blues BIG time!!!!
Really its like half of my birthday present 2 go 2 this game!!!
So yea, Big like cockroach CRUSHHH!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 97) :
I see he had a bit of a problem spelling W-O-R-L-D …
@robdylan (Comment 99) : I’ve actually never attempted to do anything on photoshop…
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 101) : Gah! Peasants don’t appreciate my talents
@robdylan (Comment 102) :
Have you played around with that photosynth thing – that looks interesting …
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 103) : nope – but about to try and find out what it is
@robdylan (Comment 96) : Yes Rob…but I can live with it!
