The Crusaders look certain to finish on top of the Super 14 log, but, on current form, any one of a number of teams can fill the remaining three semifinal spots.
Here rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen of the IOL looks at the current log standings and remaining fixtures and predicts how the teams will finish up. The Stormers look good for a home semifinal.
1 Crusaders 38 points
Fixtures: Blues (home), Sharks (home), Reds (away), Highlanders (home)
Probable points: 4, 4, 4, 5
Total: 55 (FIRST)
2 Sharks 32
Waratahs (away), Crusaders (away), Cheetahs (home), Chiefs (home)
Probable points: 4, 1, 4, 1
Total: 42 (FOURTH)
3 Waratahs 31
Sharks (home), Bulls (away), Stormers (away), Reds (away)
Probable points: 1, 0, 0, 1
Total: 33 (SIXTH)
4 Stormers 27
Highlanders (home), Brumbies (home), Waratahs (home), Lions (away)
Probable points: 5, 4, 4, 4
Total: 44 (SECOND)
5 Chiefs 27
Reds (home), Force (away), Lions (away), Sharks (away)
Probable points: 4, 4, 1, 4
Total: 40 (FIFTH)
6 Hurricanes 26
Cheetahs (away), Lions (home), Force (home), Blues (away)
Probable points: 4, 5, 4, 4
Total: 43 (THIRD)
7 Blues 25
Crusaders (away), Reds (away), Highlanders (away), Hurricanes (home)
Probable points: 1, 1, 4, 0
Total: 31 (SEVENTH)
8 Brumbies 24
Lions (home), Stormers (away), Bulls (away), Force (away)
Probable points: 5, 1, 0, 1
Total: 31 (EIGHTH)
9 Force 24
Chiefs (home), Hurricanes (away), Brumbies (home)
Probable points: 0, 0, 4
Total: 28 (NINTH)
10 Reds 16
Chiefs (away), Blues (home), Crusaders (home), Waratahs (home)
Probable points: 0, 0, 0, 4
Total: 20 (TWELFTH)
11 Bulls 15
Waratahs (home), Brumbies (home), Cheetahs (away)
Probable points: 4, 4, 1
Total: 24 (TENTH)
12 Highlanders 11
Stormers (away), Cheetahs (away), Blues (home), Crusaders (away)
Probable points: 0, 0, 0, 0
Total: 11 (FOURTEENTH)
13 Cheetahs 11
Hurricanes (home), Highlanders (home), Sharks (away), Bulls (home)
Probable points: 1, 5, 1, 4
Total: 22 (ELEVENTH)
14 Lions 7
Brumbies (away), Hurricanes (away), Chiefs (home), Stormers (home)
Probable points: 0, 0, 4, 1
Total: 12 (THIRTEENTH)
Sharksworld Note: For ease of understanding, This is how he predicts the Final log:
1. Crusaders
2. Stormers
3. Hurricanes
4. Sharks
5. Chiefs
6. Waratahs
7. Blues
8. Brumbies
9. Force
10. Bulls
11. Cheetahs
12. Reds
13. Lions
14. Highlanders
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As much as i hate to admit this, i have a feeling this guy has the top section of the log pretty damn spot on. 🙁
Except of course he is bonkers if he thinks we are going to let the chiefs beat us at home 😀
The Sharks will beat the Chiefs at KP. I am more worried about the Tahs and Saders games.
yoss that then still gives us 2 wins from 4 starts and that will see us in 4th. 🙁
Yeah, but I said worried, not panic stricken 😉 . The Tahs can be beaten, it is just going to be more difficult.
I don’t fancy us for the Saders game as they are still the best team in the comp and it is last game of the tour syndrome. I hope we finish second or third. Pity the team that has to play a semi in Christchurch.
Wheres wpw??
Theres an own goal i need to discuss with him
he has the Stormers finishing on 44 in second. If Shraks beat Chiefs and the rest is according to his predictions that leaves us on 45. Enough to finisg second. That’s why I worry about the Tahs – we need to beat them to keep our destiny in our hands as far as 2nd place is concerned.
Shraks 😳
Beat the Chiefs…we must!
Think the writer got the Chiefs game wrong. The Chiefs are such an enigma, they totally killed the Crusaders but they’ll be a long way from home at the end of a long tournament when they play the Sharks. I expect the Sharks to pip them.
Jessie I hate this (dont want to think about semis at this stage) but cant help myself here. This weekend Shark vs Tahs game is vital. Think the Canes wont beat the Blues away for a starter. I think if the Tahs beat the Sharks this weekend they may end up with the Saders, Stormers, & Sharks in the semis. Bonus points are going to be vital for 2-4 positions.
One loss and suddenly we can’t even beat the Chiefs at home? 🙄 BALLS!!!
And suddenly the Stormers and Canes can’t put a foot wrong?
Anyway…I’m not gonna read too much into this…I’ll take it week-by-week.But those who think we have no more surprises ahead are in for a big… eh…SURPRISE!
How can JvdW says the Lions wil WIN their home game vs Chiefs, but Sharks will LOSE their home game vs Chiefs ❓ 😯
I think the man is making a statement here…
The Sharks have hit a slump and even the Lions can thump them if they were to have a rematch
And IOL pays him to write this crap?
Nonsense
Forget David Bullard…I’m taking this loser to the Human Rights Commission… 😐
Comment 13 of 15, posted at 23.04.08 13:09:28 by blackshark (JAWS)
The Lions cant even thump SK Walmers womens touch rugby team at the moment.
1. crusaders – 55
2. stormers – 44
3. hurricanes – 44
4. chiefs – 44
5. sharks – 39
6. waratahs – 39
log positions 2 to 4 will be decided on points difference.
final – stormers vs chiefs @ newlands
oh. stormers to win the final.
I like your thinking geraas
#13
Where did he write that? 😯
It will be nice if the Lions don’t end last…