Stormers still SA’s best bet
9 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI says the Stormers remain on course for a home semi-final, a fact that makes them the best-placed South African franchise.
As I wrote two weeks ago, three South African franchises should qualify for the 2012 play-offs. The Stormers have already booked their place in the next phase by securing the SA conference title, while the Bulls and Sharks should advance on the back of big home victories in the final round of the league.
I expect the Bulls to collect five log points from their coming fixture against the Lions, but even that may not be enough to secure home advantage in the qualifying play-off. They missed an opportunity in Durban last week in that another four points would have furthered their cause for a top-four finish. As it stands, they’re unlikely to surpass the Crusaders, and so a journey to Christchurch is now looking highly likely.
The Crusaders will host the Western Force in their final league match, and based on current form the Cantabrians must be favourites to win comfortably. Even if they accumulate four log points instead of five and the Bulls bank a full house at Loftus, the Crusaders will still finish ahead of Bulls on the log. The Bulls will be hoping the Force can do them a favour and score an upset like the Rebels did earlier in the season, but aberrations like that are surely a once in a season occurence.
Like the Stormers and Sharks, the Bulls will know what they need to do to advance before they even take the field on Saturday. The matches involving the three South African contenders are the final three of the league. No doubt the coaches of these teams will be watching the overseas fixtures on Friday and Saturday morning with keen interest.
The Stormers will be supporting the Hurricanes when they host the Chiefs. A win for the Hurricanes will mean that the Stormers merely need to beat the Rebels to secure top spot on the log. The upshot of this outcome is that the Stormers will host a semi-final and a possible final.
If the Hurricanes can’t win that match, the Stormers will at least hope that their defence limits the Chiefs to three tries or less. A Chiefs win without the bonus point will mean that the Stormers still have a chance of finishing top of the log, providing of course they score four or more tries in a win against the Rebels at Newlands.
The Bulls and Sharks, however, will be hoping that the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes and end the latter team’s play-off ambitions. They will also hope that the Waratahs beat the Reds or at least stop Ewen McKenzie’s men from claiming five log points from that encounter.
There is a chance that the Hurricanes and Reds will score bonus-point victories in their respective matches, and that would take both teams up to 58 log points. However if that were to happen, the Bulls and Sharks would still be in a good position, given that they both boast superior points differentials to that of the Hurricanes and Reds. They would, of course, still need to win their matches against the Lions and Cheetahs respectively.
It seems more likely that the Chiefs will win in Wellington, although it could be closer than most expect. What this result could do is give the Stormers a chance of claiming top spot. It is something they need to shoot for, and there isn’t a tremendous amount of risk involved.
The Brumbies are likely to beat the Blues in Canberra, and five log points would see them moving one point ahead of the Stormers. That result would see the Stormers needing at least one log point from the Rebels fixture to finish second, as they have won more matches than the Brumbies.
If the Brumbies don’t get the bonus point, then the Stormers will be free to pursue a five-point haul knowing there will be no consequences should they lose. There will however, be everything to gain in the shape of a potential home final.
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185 Comments
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9 Jul 2012, 10:01 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-71: @Gumboots(Gumboots)-85: some here would lead you to believe that topping the SA conference is no achievement but on this thread i’ve posted only just two post from april & may from one person and in BOTH the person in literally willing his own team to “top the SA log” & “end first in the SA conference”
jealousy makes people nasty hey
40.Tacitus:
21 May 2012, 11:04 am @Xkreni-WP(Xkreni-WP)-38:
I believe the Bulls will lose against the Chiefs.
Bulls will win at Loftus against the Stormers.
Sharks will win in Durban against the Stormers.
Then the log will be:
Bulls
Stormers
Sharks.
It all then comes down to the game in Durban. If we lose that, we end third. If we win it, we end first in the SA conference.
9 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home(poppa69)-99:
a bit like my kiwi wife… not hooking up with a kiwi man…
9 Jul 2012, 10:05 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-102:
do you want to admit that here, theres a perception about kiwi woman on this site that doesnt lend itself to your candid admission? I do hope she wasnt ferned, cause “apparently” hes been with a few even though they all look like truck drivers? lol
9 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-101:
You do realise the monetary and home advantage benefits of topping the conference, right?
If you think I wanted the Bulls to top the SA conference for some rumoured “conference trophy” then you’re sadly mistaken.
Basically, the Bulls are now out of the competition (they were out the moment they lost to the Stormers at Loftus, as no SA team has ever won this competition when having to travel overseas for a play-off match).
THAT’s the reason why topping the conference is so critical.
9 Jul 2012, 10:08 am
Shew. Finally found my way to the Cheese and Whine function I have so been looking forward to….
Sharks whining.
Bulls whining
Stormers dining….
9 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
Now that they can’t beat us on the rugby field they are now attacking our drinking and toilet water.
9 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
Say what you wanna about the Stormers, but they must be the team of the season.
Two losses and even bigger deficit in the personnel department but odds on for a home semi and Final. Not taking anything for granted, though.
I put down the anti-Stomer vitriol to good ol’ banter just like when we slag off the other sides, but some (SHARKS) dudes here really need some growing up to do.
The only abuse I’m willing to tolerate is from Bulls fans as they’ve reached the summit three times and have every right to rub this in. As for (some) Sharks fans, guys, just like us you aint won sh*t, so please direct the playa hating towards Pretoria. Asseblief, tog!
9 Jul 2012, 10:14 am
The Bulls rugby union needs to distribute trinkets of those super cups to their fans to carry around in their wallets and purses as a reminder of the good days.
9 Jul 2012, 10:19 am
@sharksgirl
I am a real Sharks supporter,not one who wishes his side losses so that the coach gets the boot.
I played my clubrugby I Durban aswell,straight out of the Bluff.
Sharks forever!
Go the feckin black and white dynamite!
BOOM!
9 Jul 2012, 10:19 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home(poppa69)-99:
no! But I assure you we are not all like HG and Fernly, don’t really know Wooden Spoon. If you whant to meet some decent Sharks supporters, I suggest you go to Sharksworld a little. I only come on here because of UFO, Dawn, Stormersboy and even Tacitus, Te Ranagatira, Hurricane and Cane and a few others. I generally ignore the rest 
I can take banter and one eyed supporting, after all I am one eyed when it comes to the Sharks! But abuse I cannot tolerate!
So you stay in Sydney? a few years ago we went to the expensive and long procedure of getting okaid to move to Australia, and when we finally got it right we got cold feet and decided to remain in SA! I can’t say I have regretted the decision but it would have been a nice adventure. We were to go to Brisbane.
9 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-108:
To be honest, we Stormers/WP supporters have not had the best of times for the past decade and we don’t have all that much to brag about.
We still need to win a decent trophy.
That being said, our future looks rosy. Some very good youngsters coming through the ranks.
9 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
@BishopsOD(BishopsOD)-107: “The only abuse I’m willing to tolerate is from Bulls fans as they’ve reached the summit three times and have every right to rub this in. As for (some) Sharks fans, guys, just like us you aint won sh*t”
Oh really? apparently the Sharks have one over the Stormers for having “been close to winning it” more times than the Stormers
that’s in the same league as a guy bragging that he nearly boned halle berry when the rest of you have only taken her out on dates
9 Jul 2012, 10:22 am
Sharks supporters like to accuse the Stormers of chokers,but they conveniently forget how they bottled their greatest chance to win a super trophy at KP many moons ago.Since that day they were never the same again.
9 Jul 2012, 10:23 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-112:
How did you hear about that? I only told like, twenty guys?
9 Jul 2012, 10:25 am
#104 Tacitus,Tac I think transie is blogging with blinkers on the only reason to top the sa conference or finish in the top two on the log overall is to get a home semi-final and possibly a home final.I remember rod maqueen he was coach of the queensland reds at the time being interviewed and he said then and that was a good few years ago NO sa team would ever win a super rugby title if they have to travel to play a semi or a final in NZ or OS as the travelling is to much for a sa team to play one game and expect to win itThe same goes for a team coming to sa for a semi or final as was the case with the bulls as they won all 3 super rugby titles in sa,if the bulls had to travel overseas for a final it is doubtful whether they would have won the finals.
9 Jul 2012, 10:25 am
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-110: hehe I understand perfectly in regards to not all supporters are like them, Puma is a gentleman and a scholar and a fine representative of decent sharkies..
9 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
The Stormers have topped the SA conference, and with some daylight to spare it seems, in spite of their inability to collect any win bonus points.
Played 15 and won 13. A fantastic record, and one worthy of praise, considering that the next Sa team has only won 9 games. A possible 14 from 16.
Now the some of the Sharkies (because it’s pretty much them) here that have been putting the Stormers down the whole season in spite of their own woeful performances are still hoping and praying for our demise.
You guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves,
Congratulations I would have thought are in order.
You aren’t congratulating us or me, we didn’t play the matches, just like the Bulls supporters here didn’t win 3 titles.
It’s the team that deserves the plaudits, and you guys should be big enough to see that.
Or am I way overestimating you?
9 Jul 2012, 10:36 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-117:
excellent post
9 Jul 2012, 10:37 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-97:
No gloating from my side. Fact is we have won all but two… I have not said we would win the Super Title – I said it would be great if we do but a lot of work. I see you criticizing yes…
9 Jul 2012, 10:37 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-117:
Pick & Go has a Super Rugby ranking table which shows ranking point positions of each team since the first Super 12 match in 1996. Each team starts on 80 points and they move up and down relative to each other using the same points exchange system that the IRB use for ranking Test-playing nations.
Exchange points are doubled for semi’s and finals.
The current ranking?
1. Stormers – 86.6120
2. Crusaders – 85.6376
3. Reds – 85.3546
4. Chiefs – 84.6653
5. Hurricanes – 83.4557
6. Sharks – 82.8192
7. Brumbies – 82.3547
8. Bulls – 81.6059
Daylight indeed.
9 Jul 2012, 10:38 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-100:
Thanks!
9 Jul 2012, 10:41 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-109: I NEVER questioned your support of the Sharks!!! EVER! I just do not like abuse like you, HG, NZichina, Skopskiet, Wee Pee and Tank and many many more dish here and do not whant to be associated with it! Yes I do whant a change of coaching staff at the Sharks, but I NEVER willed/wanted the Sharks to lose! I just saw a silver lining to a possible loss! You don’t know me so YOU CANNOT question my support of the Sharks! I have missed only 3 home games in the last 5 seasons, Yes I am one of those few KP faithfull come rain or sunshine, win or lose! I attend some club games and am heavily involved with KZN school rugby (Maritzburg College especially)! However, I am really disatisfied with the mediocrity my team has produced in these last 5 seasons! With a performance like Saturdays we can see what our players are capable of! I cannot understand how you can be happy of where we are sitting on the log, or losing to the Lions? and yes I am GREEN with envy at where the Stormers are sitting at the moment! WE should be there if we had a Head coach who recognised the importance of a defence coach and in our case a sports psychologist!
9 Jul 2012, 10:44 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-115: you assume too much, my post wasn’t directed at tac, but the throngs of supporters of the one team that has come close to winning super rugby enough times, who have bee pouring water over the achievement of topping the SA log…
pay attention and you’ll see who they are.
9 Jul 2012, 10:44 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-120: Wow big surprise.
9 Jul 2012, 10:44 am
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-122:
You have no reason to justify yourself, least of all to Fern.
9 Jul 2012, 10:51 am
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-122:
Don’t even discuss anything with him/her/it…
9 Jul 2012, 10:56 am
@sharksgirl
If you watch clubrugga you may well have marvelled at HG’s silky skills
Which club do you support?
9 Jul 2012, 10:57 am
#119 Gumboots I am not critisizing i am merely pointing out a fact that your team has won nothing yet and still have a bit to do yet,that is all.
9 Jul 2012, 10:59 am
I see supporters from all sides slagging each other off…
9 Jul 2012, 11:00 am
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-129:
So it has always been, and so it always will be in the future…
9 Jul 2012, 11:03 am
Exactly… The generalising must stop… Its all sides… In fact maybe not Cheetah supporters…
9 Jul 2012, 11:05 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-128:
9 Jul 2012, 11:15 am
#123 Transie i read what you blogged and sometimes tacs posts come back to haunt him.Topping the sa conference is good for one thing it guarantees you a place in the semis and a posible final.Personally i think this conference story is rubbish and it should be about whoever finishes in the top four of the log,if it is 4nz teams or 4ozzie teams or 4 sa teams so be it.
9 Jul 2012, 11:21 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-133:
Agree with you! The only reason for the conference is to ensure there is an Ozzie team in the mix…
What has happened to the Bulls is what Tac was wishing on the Stormers.
Lesson! Never wish anything bad on another… it comes back to haunt you…
Maybe he will learn from his mistakes and come back just as unbiased as before…
9 Jul 2012, 11:22 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-133: john o’neill won’t like that because if the aussie sides are dismal and have less points it will mean no revenue for his union until the 1st RC game and that he can’t tolerate, john o’neill is about MONEY and nothing else, how else can you explain him agreeing to a TEST againt Scotland on tuesday and another against Wales on the weekend? Greed, that’s all.
9 Jul 2012, 11:33 am
#132 Gumboots The currie cup now comes second to winning the super rugby title as their is more prestige involved,sure it is nice to win the currie cup,but personally i want to win the super rugby title more as it is a bigger competition against good opposition.
9 Jul 2012, 11:38 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-106: What do you mean “drinking AND toilet water”? In your house that’s the same thing.
9 Jul 2012, 11:47 am
@blueboy(blueboy)-136:
You play Currie Cup with your second stringers, something the Stormers have been doing in Super Rugby this year!!!
So the credibility is not what it used to be… Only my opinion…
I think Super Trophy 1
Conference Trophy 2
Vodacom Cup 3
Currie Cup 4
9 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-138: 2 out of 4 ain’t bad
So far,.
9 Jul 2012, 12:03 pm
#138 Gumboots I wonder how many other fans feel about this the CC teams are only now feeder teams for super rugby teams and the CC is now a second tier competition for the super rugby franchises.
9 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
#139 Stormersboy Yes that is a good haul for the last 11 years.
9 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
sharks and stormers brawling again?
its funny.
but it get pretty boring too.
well done stormers on your great season so far, personally i think the stormers team are limited by their attacking game only. get that right and they will be dominant for a long time.
by the same token, the sharks need to up their defensive game but fransie will do that for us.
so i expect the rivalry to continue for a long time to come.
its a good thing for me, because i am a provincialistic b a s tard like the rest of my countrymen and it keeps our rugby relevant and strong imo.
because lets be honest, a game vs a few kiwi teams and basically ALL the aussie teams just doesnt cut the mustard when it comes to our obsession with rugby.
not that the games arent avidly followed, they simply dont get the blood boiling as much do they?
thats why i am excited for my good mate transie as regards the kings inclusion, because he will at last have a mast to pin his flag to.
9 Jul 2012, 12:09 pm
Sharksgirl there is never any abuse from me, just the facts.
9 Jul 2012, 12:09 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-142:
9 Jul 2012, 12:23 pm
Congrats on winning the conference trophy Stormers.
So what now for my Sharks?
We can end 5th or 6th, but ending 6th will suit us better so that we can play the Brumbies (who we’ve beaten this year) away.
Should we win that game what would be the best cenario for us furher in the competition to win it?
If the chiefs top the log we would play them next, and if the Stormers top the log we would play them in the semi.
The problem with playing the Stormers in a semi is that we would most likely then have to go back to NZ for the final. That traveling would make it impossible.
Rather play the Chiefs in the semi and come back to SA for final or stay in NZ for final against Crusaders.
So it would be either:
1) AUS / NZ / SA (Chiefs top log)
2) Aus / NZ / NZ (Chiefs top log)
3) Aus / SA / NZ (Stormers top log)
So from a Shark point of view we would like the Chiefs to top the log as it would be the easier way taking travel in consideration to win the competition.
Now please stormer supporters, this is not hate towards you, but common sense only.
9 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
China
I am still waiting for my post,I never mixed with saffas when I was in nz.
Fetch biets!
9 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-142: Go KINGS!!!!!!!!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
fern you clearly told me you shagged plenty of ugly woman in NZ and some ex pat Saffa’s if you have to brag about it chances are you didn’t do any, I dont know how to find old posts otherwise i’d post it
9 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-145:
we should not forget that the sharks can easily finish 7th.
a 5 pointer for the reds against the waratahs and less than 5 points for us against the cheetahs and that’s our s15 over.
9 Jul 2012, 12:39 pm
@charo(charo)-149: true
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