Super 14 Wrap
Pass around the oranges – its halftime. 7 weeks down, 7 to go and let’s have a bit of fun at my expense by dredging out those pre-season predictions and updating them. So without further ado, in current table order:
SHARKS 6-0 25pts (pre-season prediction 6-7 mid-table)
Yes, well. First slice of humble pie although I’m still not convinced the Sharks are genuine title contenders and they could fall down the ladder on their road trip. But it would be a major surprise to see them fall out of the top 4 completely, so that’s one playoff spot taken. Will be interesting to see if they can secure a home semi-final, which may not be that imposing for whomever the opposition are as the heat and humidity will not be such a big factor in May. On the other hand, I have a sneaky feeling we’ve yet to see them play at their best, so for me the jury is still out until they’re on the road.
BLUES 5-1 23pts (10-3 home semi)
Thankfully I got one right. They’ve performed as I expected they would and they’ll finish 1 or 2 and get a home semi, although they’ll lose a couple of games between now and then. But don’t panic Jafas, the Super 14 trophy is coming home to its rightful resting place.
FORCE 4-1-2 21pts (5-8)
Bashing up on a 14-man Reds team with 14 injuries does not make the Force a title contender. Hopefully they’re enjoying their lofty position in the ladder, as after the bye they have the Sharks at home, then the Crusaders, Chiefs and Brumbies away. Not to mention the Blues in the last round. Mid-table with more than 5 wins yes, semi-finalists no.
BULLS 4-3 18pts (9-4 losing semifinalists)
Fark this team p!sses me off at times. A two year-old baby could have implemented their game plan better against the Crusaders last weekend. And reminds me of a similar totally inept performance against the Blues last year.
Which is their problem. One of the better forward packs (if not exactly mobile), a world-class halfback, decent first-five – a simple game plan designed to their strengths would beat just about anybody. As they showed against the Brumbies.
So why play loose allowing turnovers and kick the ball down the throats of the best counter-attacking team around? The Bulls seriously lack intelligence at times, and until they grow a few more brain cells will never win a Super 14 title, despite having the playing roster to do so. They’ll possibly sneak into the playoffs in fourth spot, but that’s the end of the road.
CRUSADERS 3-3 17pts (8-5 somewhere from 3rd to 6th)
The Crusaders are where I thought they’d be, but their playoff chances are significantly enhanced by bonus points and the inconsistencies shown by other teams. I’ll have to retract my earlier statement they’ll miss the semis – they’ll make it but will have to win the title the hard way away from hone. Difficult, but not impossible.
CHEETAHS 3-1-3 17pts (3-10 bottom 3)
They’re about to embark on their road trip and will drop down the ladder faster than someone swimming with concrete boots. Maybe not bottom 3, but not far off it.
(to be continued…)
SHARKS 6-0 25pts (pre-season prediction 6-7 mid-table)
Yes, well. First slice of humble pie although I’m still not convinced the Sharks are genuine title contenders and they could fall down the ladder on their road trip. But it would be a major surprise to see them fall out of the top 4 completely, so that’s one playoff spot taken. Will be interesting to see if they can secure a home semi-final, which may not be that imposing for whomever the opposition are as the heat and humidity will not be such a big factor in May. On the other hand, I have a sneaky feeling we’ve yet to see them play at their best, so for me the jury is still out until they’re on the road.
BLUES 5-1 23pts (10-3 home semi)
Thankfully I got one right. They’ve performed as I expected they would and they’ll finish 1 or 2 and get a home semi, although they’ll lose a couple of games between now and then. But don’t panic Jafas, the Super 14 trophy is coming home to its rightful resting place.
FORCE 4-1-2 21pts (5-8)
Bashing up on a 14-man Reds team with 14 injuries does not make the Force a title contender. Hopefully they’re enjoying their lofty position in the ladder, as after the bye they have the Sharks at home, then the Crusaders, Chiefs and Brumbies away. Not to mention the Blues in the last round. Mid-table with more than 5 wins yes, semi-finalists no.
BULLS 4-3 18pts (9-4 losing semifinalists)
Fark this team p!sses me off at times. A two year-old baby could have implemented their game plan better against the Crusaders last weekend. And reminds me of a similar totally inept performance against the Blues last year.
Which is their problem. One of the better forward packs (if not exactly mobile), a world-class halfback, decent first-five – a simple game plan designed to their strengths would beat just about anybody. As they showed against the Brumbies.
So why play loose allowing turnovers and kick the ball down the throats of the best counter-attacking team around? The Bulls seriously lack intelligence at times, and until they grow a few more brain cells will never win a Super 14 title, despite having the playing roster to do so. They’ll possibly sneak into the playoffs in fourth spot, but that’s the end of the road.
CRUSADERS 3-3 17pts (8-5 somewhere from 3rd to 6th)
The Crusaders are where I thought they’d be, but their playoff chances are significantly enhanced by bonus points and the inconsistencies shown by other teams. I’ll have to retract my earlier statement they’ll miss the semis – they’ll make it but will have to win the title the hard way away from hone. Difficult, but not impossible.
CHEETAHS 3-1-3 17pts (3-10 bottom 3)
They’re about to embark on their road trip and will drop down the ladder faster than someone swimming with concrete boots. Maybe not bottom 3, but not far off it.
(to be continued…)
Labels: 2007S14
posted by Rob Crawford at 9:08 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home