SuperVX log end of week 6

I like to look at the SuperXV log from a different angle. Trying to keep tabs on the log when it provides 4 log points for a bye and having teams on different number of games played does confuse the issue in my view.

When you look at the SuperXV of last year the teams that qualified effectviely scored 3 log points per round played on average. So here is a log showing average points earned per team for the rounds they have played. The log reflects where each team stands PER LOG POINTS earned per match played. That would provide a clearer understanding of where teams find themselves.




Cheetahs have now finished their Antipodean tour.
Stormers have yet to tour, so their position is sure to change.
Lions season is gone, half their sqaud is injured and they still have to tour.
Crusaders are currently touring and have won their first match in SA
Brumbies have had one game in New Zealand
Rebels has had one match in New Zealand
Hurricanes in a strong position they have completed their SA tour and only has one match left in Australia
Blues have finished their SA tour and still has to travel Australia
Sharks have completed their Australian tour and on their way to New Zealand.
Rebels still has to tour SA and NZ
Force still has to tour SA and NZ
Reds have completed their SA tour and still has to travel NZ
Waratahs have completed their tour of NZ and still has to travel SA
Bulls still has to travel NZ and Australia
Highlanders still has one more match in Australia and still has to travel SA
Cheifs has mainly had home matches and still has to travel SA and Australia.

wow biltong, interesting variation on the interpretation. Thanks mate.

biltongbek wrote:wow biltong, interesting variation on the interpretation. Thanks mate.

You forgot to put the Brumbies up to 3rd as Aussie conference leader

(Just to illustrate how daft the guaranteed home playoff for the conference leaders is), Though given that the Brumbies have had mostly home games to date I expect them to drop down from now on. Assuming the Reds can find a fit fly-half that is.

Otherwise I think your table does accurately reflect where the teams are today. Though given that the Cheetahs' 2 wins are down-under I'm almost putting them into the "dark horse" category if they can start winning home games.

Can either of you two shed some light on how Haskell is performing for the Highlanders? Don't get to watch any Super15 really, and the highlights don't provide much insight into a player's full performance!

Yeah, I purposefully didn't put the "conference" leaders at the top. This is purely to reflect where teams are in relation to performance.

I'll put this up after every weekend and compare it to the actual log at the end.

I bet you it will not look the same.

The cheetahs will definitely upset a few more teams, but unfortunately the best I expect from them middle table.

bluestonevedder wrote:Can either of you two shed some light on how Haskell is performing for the Highlanders? Don't get to watch any Super15 really, and the highlights don't provide much insight into a player's full performance!

It took him a while to earn a starting berth (probably a reflection of the lower level play in Japanese club rugby) but now he and Thompson seem to have a good thing going as left and right flankers (Thompson is looking increasingly likely to get Kaino's black jersey, unless Todd or Braid really stand up as opensides and McCaw switches to 6).

ah that's great thanks Kiwi. Good to hear he's performing- I personally think he's really improved his game the last few years, and it showed at the WC. Hopefully he'll return a better, all-round player, possibly to push for an England shirt back.

Interesting to hear that about Thompson, always rated him, but Kaino is a heck of a player to try and oust!

Thompson has been in cracking form for the Highlanders. With Kaino's injury and him heading abroad after the season, Thompson must be top pick to take the 6 shirt.

My view on Haskell has been that he's doing quite well, getting more into the games every week, particularly regarding carrying. His biggest problem has been adjusting to the pace of the games, particularly when compared to the highly energetic Thompson. I think part of that has been how much continuous rugby he's played in the last 12 months; playing the French domestic season (the longest around), last year's 6N, the WC, then straight to Japan, immediately followed by Super Rugby. He looks to be first choice now, but that's probably principally down to Hardie being out for the season, I think the Highlanders plan had been to use Haskell mostly coming on from the bench.

Thanks stlowe, good post. Is Haskell tending to play 6 or 7, or even 8?

When he was coming on from the bench he played either 7 or 8, replacing Hardie or Manu, with Thompson the player that always stayed on for the whole match at 6. Thompson was injured the other week and he replaced him at 6. With Hardie out for the season he'll be wearing 7 from now on, though the balance with Thompson means that isn't necessarily the traditional openside role.

For me haskell has got better with each run. Saw a good interview with him and he seems to have settled in well. At time of the interview had a goal of starting and has met that. So he must be coping well under joseph who is known as a hard taskmaster.

With the highlanders one of the better performing teams Haskell must be doing things right. Will watch with interest how he goes this week.

While the Hurricanes look okay at present you have to remember that they have shown an inability to win at home.

After loving in wellington last ten years this is the first time Ive felt like supporting the canes such is the unity of this team. Too many prima donnas in the past. All flash n no bash.

Is that just cause we are so far ahead of the Blues?