2013 Super XV: Fixtures, Results & Table

I think it is likely that we will see two totally contrasting semi finals.

The Chiefs vs Crusaders could most likely be a match of control by the Crusaders with multiphase attacks, the Chiefs getting themsleves into the game with their trademark counter attacks, which could spark their forwards into some of those performances we have seen this season where their physicality at the breakdowns are almost impossible to deal with.

However if amcCaw comes back and he partners with Read the Chiefs are unlikely to boss the breakdonw.

It could also become a tight finals match which we have seen a few examples of during some NZ derbies where defences are switched on and it coulld turn into a 20 poiint match.

The Bulls and Brumbies are both limited teams in the manner which they play, however if the Bulls manage to get momentum they have shown this season their backline does have a lot of pace out wide and could hit the Burmbies very hard.

Territory will be the main concern for both these teams, kicking every opportunity to goal they get.

Going by the saders last matches they really have no excuse for not taking this out. Unlike the other sides they are peaking and they even get to get McCaw back as fresh as a daisy.

Theyve won the last 9 from 10- the last loss ironically the same match this week- in Hamilton. But since then they've hammered the Chiefs at home.

Last weeks match vs Reds is a little tricky to judge as many of the Ozzies have had the Lions Blues for a while now, and unfortunately the crowd simply wouldnt give Cooper a chance- that had to affect his confidence.. (just not on Canterbury folk!)- Hopefully us Wellingtonians can be a bit more forgiving on the 24 Aug at the tin.

The Canterbury folk were trying to raise Cooper's confidence not bring it down. Every time he got the ball the crowd could be heard saying we like YOUUUUUUUUU or you're so COOOOOOOOL. This is the thanks they get for being sporting.  

Dagg was right in his tweet. It's embarrassing all the booing. The only problem I see is ever since the crowds in NZ have done it he hasn't had a good game, which might well make them think it's a practice worth continuing.

Anyone know if and when the Kings-Lions promotion/relegation match will be televised?

They are televising it in SA Doc.it is this weekend and next weekend.

OK. Time for a phone call to me not so friendly cable tv service provider.

Our Reunion votng here went heavily for a Saders Bulls final...

Taylorman... do you think the Crusaders can beat the Bulls in their own backyard??? They haven't won there since 2008.

If the Crusaders win this weekend I believe we can beat the Bulls. The key for me is that the Saders pack is firing. It won't be easy but there won't be the travel issue leading up to the final.

Its the altitude which for me will take the Bulls home. Can't see them losing at home. If the Crusaders win the Bulls will win IMO... if the Chiefs win tomorrow, the Chiefs will win as the Bulls are no where near as strong on the road.

Home advantage is definitely a huge advantage. The Crusaders have proven they can win away from home but agree that altitude is a big obstacle. Let's see what happens this weekend.

I think I'm right in saying that no one has won an away final since 2000/2001 or something.. which was the Crusaders themselves???

Only away 'overseas' was Saders (Brumbies 2004) and Saders also won in Dunedin vs highlanders ('away at home').

Bulls beat the Sharks in Durban as the other away win at home.

Everyone else has won at home...titles so far
Saders = 7
Bulls = 3
Blues = 3
Brumbies = 2
Reds and Chiefs 1 each

Of the 17 played so far Saders have won 7, been in 9 finals and in 14 of the 17 semi finals the last time not a semi finalist in 2001. after winning 3 on the trot.

Saders have an overall a 67% win record, of the other winning sides sides:

Brumbies- 58%
Blues- 56%
Bulls, Reds and Chiefs- 50%


Fairly formidable outfit you have to say but still havnt won it since 2008.

Personally I thought their best ever side was the earthquake side of 2011- lost to the Reds in the final.

fa0019 wrote:Taylorman... do you think the Crusaders can beat the Bulls in their own backyard??? They haven't won there since 2008.

Yeah thats tough. I mentioned this earlier and I recall supporting them in the same match- 2010 I think... Bulls smothered them out of it, thats why I think our best chance is a Chiefs Bulls match in Hamilton.

I'm with Kia in terms of them having a good chance and this time theyve only got Hamilton after a home game last week. Theyve been lucky travel wise.

On paper and in terms of form theyre the top side of the four by a distance- 8 wins from last 9 matches or something like that and have McCaw coming back so 'everything' says they should win.....

......
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except theyre playing in SA. Seen it before too many times...

The Brumbies are going to win this weekend so it'll be a home game for the Crusaders in the final and the travel schedule will make it a romp home for Canterbury. The tea leaves have spoken. Or was it the early morning beer...

Kia you been smoking some Jamaican contraband this morning or what?

He who laughs first cries last...

Jake White, making his return to SA. What better way to give a two fingered salute as he boards the plane to NZ than causing an upset at Loftus? Am I crazy or have I just blown your mind?  

Brumbies aren't going to win this weekend, the Bulls will be too motivated.

Jake White is making all the right noises required by the Aussie media, don't let the hype swoon you over.

Don't be fooled into thinking the predictable will happen. Look out behind you! Didn't see that coming, did you?  

Not about predictable mate, the Brumbies have struggled against top teams this year, scoring a total of only 6 tries in the five matches they have played against the top 6 qualifiers.

Only once did they outscore their opponent and that was the Reds in the first month.

What time is Chiefs Crusaders on? Want to watch that

I think it is 6h30 UK time.

1930 NZ time is 0830 UK time and 0930 CET time.

So you'll know the result technically before I do in Madrid CJ so flick me a message if we lose in order for me to keep sleeping.  

will do...

Naa I'm split on this one... Last year the Chiefs owned this very match with SBW in full flight. That just may be the diff this year, that looks the missing cog in their wheel.
But I just can't help thinking Saders have again timed their late run a match early as they have done every year since they won it. Theyve gone flat each time about this point, and a Chiefs win might even delay that flat match by one...vs Bulls in SA when they need to be peaking...perhaps the McCaw factor might make the diff.

Halftime in PE.

Lions lead 19 - 14

Quite a good game actually, lots of balk in hand, but the defences have been good, also plenty of penalties by Jaco Peyper.

Kings scroed a lovely try in the corner from a pin ooint cross kick by Katrakilis and the Lions who struggled territorially scored an intercept try on halftime.

The Kings started with a bang and for a moment it looked kike the Super Rugby gap would be too big, but the Lions although territorially behind, they had most of the possession.

Amazing how a side that plays at the sxv level al year can be giving way to a side that hasnt...

...on tonights game coincidentally two items on the same page from Stuff...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/8969508/All-Blacks-inspire-Melbourne-coach-Bellamy

must get that book...
and...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8969311/Crusaders-wary-of-Wayne-Smith-influence

Lions have defeated the Kings by 26-19 in the away leg.

The Kings ad a one man advantage in the last ten minutes, scored one try to come within 7 but couldn't get another.

plenty of handling errors must be the dew at the coast, Lions in my opinion looks more dangerous on attack, their set piece was also better.

Looks like the Lions will be back in Suoer Rugby next year.

Hard to say, mate. Certainly the odds would favour the Lions, but there is a sharp spine to those Kings. Will keep things interesting next week.

I suppose we go back to our earlier diialogue, neither team, neither bunch of players, and neither group of supporters deserve to be in this situation.

I personally think the Eastern Cape deserve a team, their supporters have been magnificent, 27 500 in the stadium tonight, they are second highest in SA for the year.

The Lions were never this well supported.

It makes sense to have a team there, more so than the alions who are 45 minutes away from the Bulls.

half time Canterbury 9 Waikato 3, all penalties.

Crusaders will feel a bit disappointed they're not at least 3 points more up. Chiefs went away from their good start. Hika Elliot had a mare with the throwing. Crusaders looked stronger in the exchanges as the match went on. 6 points is not enough though. At least for me!

A couple of DC misfires has given the Chiefs a bit of life. Can see McCaw coming on to reverse the flow.

awesome masaga!!!!

gaww...twice Cruden has got these on the Saders...last time a DC charge down. McCaw must come on and Chiefs showing exactly why they topped the table.

Try Dagg?...man is he class.

any more whitelocks out there? Weve only got four on...we need a few more...

wouldnt wanna be you at the mo kia...one point ...6 minutes to go...cruden a bad one...anyones game. big players needed here...dc and dagg

I'm suffering Tman you can be sure of that...

We left points out there and it proved the difference. Hats off to the Chiefs defence. Deserved the victory in the end. Good luck in the final. I'm gutted.

 Geez what a finish...Chiefs defence came through in the end and the shift happened just after half time. Bad luck Crusaders who didnt get enough chances. This just keeps happening to the Saders...their slower starts to the season always making it hard for them at the end.

If the saders had won that in the end I'm not sure they would have taken the Bulls at home next week but we'll never know.

Well done to two very good sides.

Now thats what I call first class rugby, pity theres only a handful of us on here that saw it.

Well done to the Chiefs, well deserved victory.

Cant see the Bulls losing meaning a Bulls final in Hamilton and a good chance for back to back titles. Big effort to drag down that Saders side...not many sides could have done that.

I had a feeling the Brumbies would find a way to sneak it. Jake White will be having a big chuckle to himself on the flight to NZ. Unfortunately my Crusaders Brumbies final prediction didn't eventuate but now a home final to the Chiefs who don't have to travel anywhere and I can't see anything but a Chiefs victory. The travel scehdule is just too tough for the Brumbies.

and itd be a first Kia. Just think the Chiefs will be one all consuming chainball wrecking machine this weekend with nothing left out there. Smart just wont do it for the Brumbies this time...pure bullrush as it used to be I reckon...

Agree with Taylorman, the Bulls were poor in their intensity by their usual standards, the Chiefs are not going to hold back anything, it just isn't in their nature, smart scrumming and territory won't be enough for the Brumbies, if they want to win this one, they will have to bash the Chiefs at every collision, they will have to dominate the breakdown and get the Chiefs on the back foot, and even then, the manner in which the chiefs counter is going to be fast paced, wide and most likely too much to handle.

The surprise factor in the Chiefs meeting the Brumbies in the final, is that these two teams didnt meet in round robin play.

Biltong wrote:Agree with Taylorman, the Bulls were poor in their intensity by their usual standards, the Chiefs are not going to hold back anything, it just isn't in their nature, smart scrumming and territory won't be enough for the Brumbies, if they want to win this one, they will have to bash the Chiefs at every collision, they will have to dominate the breakdown and get the Chiefs on the back foot, and even then, the manner in which the chiefs counter is going to be fast paced, wide and most likely too much to handle.

At least thats the plan Biltong. the biggest problem will be underestimating the Brumbies so theyre playing the underdog card nicely.

They have beaten the Lions this year and our Reunion survey NZ-ers got the final participants completely wrong- the highest vote was for a Bulls Crusaders final while the lowest of the four available options was the actual final participants, so its understandable how they can be underestimated. The good thing is the Chiefs know this now and where they possibly might have lost this match last weekend, perhaps they wont this time.

What's your view on having a home venue vs a neutral one for the Super 15 final?

Im against neutral grounds for Finals games (including semis), all it does is reward mediocrity.