Super XV: What previously happened.

Ok, the summer tours are gone and this elongated Super XV is resuming with round XVI of 2012.

A reminder of the log positions after round XV without these stupid bye points.

Spoiler:

There are three rounds left to go.

Fixtures list.

June 29 Highlanders vs Chiefs
June 29 Rebels vs Reds
June 30 Crusaders vs Hurricanes
June 30 Force vs Brumbies
June 30 Stormers vs Lions
June 30 Bulls vs Cheetahs
July 6 Chiefs vs Crusaders
July 6 Reds vs Highlanders
July 6 Sharks vs Bulls
July 7 Blues vs Force
July 7 Waratahs vs Brumbies
July 7 Cheetahs vs Stormers
July 7 Lions vs Rebels
July 13 Hurricanes vs Chiefs
July 14 Brumbies vs Blues
July 14 Crusaders vs Force
July 14 Reds vs Waratahs
July 14 Stormers vs Rebels
July 14 Sharks vs Cheetahs
July 14 Bulls vs Lions

The question is what will happen in the business end of this tournament.

In my view there are nine teams who mathematically can still make it.
Chiefs
Stormers
Crusaders
Sharks
Brumbies
Hurricanes
Bulls
Highlanders
Reds


I expect the follwing teams to make it.

Stormers
Chiefs
Crusaders
Brumbies
Bulls
Sharks

Biltong, I've gone for the same 6 as you, with one exception, 'Canes over Bulls - more out of hope than likelihood tho

ASBo. the problem I see for the Canes is they have only two matches left, and both against the top two NZ sides, I can't see them beat the Crusaders in Christchurch and even though they are meeting the Chiefs in wellington the Chiefs have been the stand out team on attack and defence this year, the hurricanes may match them in playmakers, but definitely not in defence.

So likely the hurricanes won't get much more than bonus points out of their last two matches putting them on somewhere between 43-45.

The Bulls on the other hand have the cheethas at home, the sharks away and the Lions away, you wouldn't bet against them winning at least two. Which would put them on 49-51 points.

biltongbek wrote:ASBo. the problem I see for the Canes is they have only two matches left, and both against the top two NZ sides, I can't see them beat the Crusaders in Christchurch and even though they are meeting the Chiefs in wellington the Chiefs have been the stand out team on attack and defence this year, the hurricanes may match them in playmakers, but definitely not in defence.

So likely the hurricanes won't get much more than bonus points out of their last two matches putting them on somewhere between 43-45.

The Bulls on the other hand have the cheethas at home, the sharks away and the Lions away, you wouldn't bet against them winning at least two. Which would put them on 49-51 points.

I agree Biltong. And while the Crusaders will likely be missing Reid and Carter this week, TJ Perenara is a big loss for the 'Canes (he broke his ankle in a "friendly" against the Reds - pity he wasn't allowed released for the JRWC instead). Plus I don't know if Jane is back either

Kiwi, at least the Hurricanes have Andre Taylor.