Sharks are victims of a flawed format
30 Jul 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says Saturday’s Super Rugby final will be a farce instead of a real contest the tournament deserves.
Can the Sharks win in Hamilton and claim a first Super Rugby title?
Of course they can.
Are they good enough, individually and as a unit, to beat the home team?
Of course they are.
Will they win it?
Never.
The competition structure in Super Rugby finals has always been flawed because of the need to cram as much as possible into the year calendar, make the various administrations as much money as possible and give the broadcaster as much product as is possible.
A final should be about a contest and the definition of a contest is that the winner should not be predetermined.
Finals in which one team travels more than 19,300km and is given one training run before the season climax are finals only in name.
You play at home, you win. You play away, you lose. Occasionally a very good side wins away from home in another country in Super Rugby. In the history of the tournament, this was the exclusive right of a very talented and special Crusaders squad.
Officials argue that this is to reward consistency and the team placing top of the league gets all the play-off advantages. Cool, then why have a final? Win the league and you should be the champions.
The moment a play-off structure was introduced, which guaranteed each of the three Sanzar countries a play-off spot, it nullified any justification of rewarding league form.
Australia is the weakest conference. The Reds would have placed sixth on league strength. They won the Australian conference and got third on the overall league.
It is all a lie. From the outset, league form is not rewarded.
There should be three titles: a trophy and cash for the respective conference winner. It is a reward. It is an achievement. You, for example the Stormers, are the best South African team in the conference.
Then there’s the overall league winner and a very huge cash incentive and a big trophy. You are consistently the best team of the season, for example, the Stormers this year.
Now, your winners get a heads-up in the six-team play-offs, which is another tournament within a tournament. The heads-up is you get to host a play-off match which puts you in a position to play in the final, which is at a neutral venue and whose only purpose is revenue for the two respective teams and the competition organisers.
And there is a fortnight break between the play-off and the final. Then you have a tournament, in which there is merit, there is reward and there is logic.
Why have a climax to a tournament in which the format determines the winner? We play at home, we win. We play away, we lose. Why bother?
I have heard all the crazy arguments that if a team is that good they win anywhere. Crap.
The Crusaders’ campaign a year ago had a Hollywood script but a real ending, not that which sells to a dummy audience.
The same applies this coming Saturday. The Chiefs have to win because they are rested, at home and well prepared. The Sharks, in Brisbane a fortnight ago, in Cape Town last week and in Hamilton this weekend, have spent more time travelling than on the field.
Greed is the only motivator of the current system. There is no reward to any player, team or supporter.
Invariably the losing team in the final is lambasted by a disappointed supporter, and before there is time for proper analysis it all gets repeated in a league format at a national level.
Why no final here? The draw again influences the final standings.
The Sharks have confirmed their class in beating the Stormers. They were good enough. And they got the result. The Stormers, given the class of player, overachieved in winning the league and hosting a semi-final through consistently winning and they did not choke. A choke is when there is no way a team should lose. There was always a chance that they could lose because of the limitations within the available match 22 and the lack of try-scoring potency in the game plan.
The Chiefs, in New Zealand, were deserving winners and a Crusaders’ victory would merely have added to the illusion of the brilliance of a Crusaders team that relies on the extraordinary talents of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter and a historical dominance that has long not been a reflection of their rugby in the tournament.
The seven-times tournament champions have now lost five successive semi-finals and that is more relevant than the seven titles won by another generation.
We play at home, we win. You play at home, you win.
If it works for you, cool, but then add a bit of perspective to the illusion and see the tournament as a money spinner and not a representation of a team’s ability.
Both semi-finals were great value for New Zealand and SA respectively. Both national squads will be strong. Both will teams be extremely difficult to beat at home.
Don’t confuse national with regional and provincial. No bloke in Canterbury wants the Chiefs to beat the Sharks because the latter are South African. On the contrary. The same applies here. Unite behind the Sharks? Tell that to the Bulls and Lions supporters, as just two examples. Unite behind the Boks yes, but the Sharks are not a representation of Cape Town or Johannesburg.
National is national. Provincial is provincial. League is league. Knockout is knockout. Cash is all that motivates the administration. If it was about the contest, they wouldn’t force one team to spend 48 hours travelling across the world and then make them play 48 hours after touchdown.
The Sharks and Chiefs are bloody good sides. There is little between the two. It should be the dream final.
Instead it is a farce. It was when the Chiefs travelled to Pretoria a few years ago.
Can the Sharks win?
Of course they can.
Will they win?
They’ve won already if you are judging their rugby.
469 Comments
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30 Jul 2012, 20:09 pm
@Dusky-347: yup two slime balls recognizing whats honest and whats goody two shoes bullshit baffles brain dead moron delinquency pretentiousness…
Isn’t it FAR more refreshing in life to ACTUALLY be honest..?? with oneself as well as with these goody two shoes bullshit artists all over the place…
30 Jul 2012, 20:11 pm
@fitz1ella-349:
what dont you get dude?? please suport them, we dont need your support, you have our blessing to fully support the Chiefs 
30 Jul 2012, 20:16 pm
Skop…skop…waar is jy ou suur gwar ?
30 Jul 2012, 20:17 pm
@Skeppie-291: now we know why heyneke rates him so highly! I have to say as a south african I am supporting the sharks this weekend. They knocked out my beloved stormers but we need to support them
30 Jul 2012, 20:17 pm
I’d love the Sharks to win on saturday. It’s just some of their fans I’d like to see disappointed and humbled.
Anyway, I’m out of here.
30 Jul 2012, 20:18 pm
@fitz1ella-351: Yes – it is indeed.
I personally 100% support being honest. If you want to support the Chiefs on Saturday, that is your right and its also your right to be honest about it.
There is too much ‘false correctness’ in society today. Its time people start being real, and giving their real opinions on things.
30 Jul 2012, 20:20 pm
@David-355: david, i have not even bragged, its just when you read a few of you stormers mates have said then of cause we will retaliate
30 Jul 2012, 20:21 pm
@Dusky-350: when I sat down to watch Stormers vs Sharks at Newlands on Saturday I summed up the situation.. looked at the body language and the fear ridden psyche gripping Stormers players as they traipsed out the tunnel and I resignedly said to my Stormer supporting buddy and to myself it don’t look like Stormers got what it takes to take this thing by the scruff of the neck and shake the overrated Sharks by their over inflated ball hairs into submission..
Stormers are their own worst enemies.. they do NOT know how to overcome their own fear ridden psyched out expectations .. and basically speaking their Coaching fraternity are basically a bunch of chicken arsed babies in the real world of rugby coaching relevancy…bottom line they are a fragile frenetic bunch of goddamn CHOKERS.. and until they rid themselves of that self imposed angst and anxiety.. they will NEVER amount to anything resembling champion status…
Now EXACTLY the same can happen to Chiefs on Saturday.. their OWN over hyped expectations at home in front of their exuberant expectant crowd can actually blackball their own ambitions and ability… it comes down to the psyche and the sheer courage to WIN when faced with all the heeby jeeby gremlins gnawing away at all the doubts and self imposed fear factors that can derail a team or a cause for glory..
So just like as happened at Newlands on saturday.. Sharks have the best seat in the house.. they got pretty much NOTHING to lose.. and EVERYTHING to gain.. whereas Stormers had EVERYTHING to lose last weekend as do Chiefs on Saturday when they run onto their home field representing the ‘favourite’ tag..
30 Jul 2012, 20:24 pm
@sharks_lover-357: A bit worried that Lambie and Jordaans injury. Read that Greenaway said Sharks took with them two injured players in Lambie and Jordaan, but hoping they will be okay come Saturday. Now think we had no choice as we have to take players that were signed in April. BUT could we not have had a case here to apply to get Fransie? Surely we could have now that Jordaan is injured and so is Timmy?
30 Jul 2012, 20:27 pm
@Puma-359: NAH boet they are fine, trust me Plum would not have taken them with if they were still injured, Also its easy to send info to the press to get people to believe other then whats happening
They knew of Whiteheadds injury during the match when he left the field with his hand swollen, if there was risk of Jordaan and lambie being injured they would have called for backup
30 Jul 2012, 20:28 pm
351 – Hey poepol, you talk a big talk but I know that when Mtwarira bursts through the middle with little Cruden hanging off him like something he just stepped in, you’ll be the first to fill the halls of your Sun Valley Shady Pines complex with a mighty BEAST! before remembering your stupid statement here and turning bright red, muttering some vile obscenity at the scowling nursing sister.
30 Jul 2012, 20:29 pm
@Puma-359:
The Sharks have taken more medical staff too, to ease the travel problem through dehydration processers etc
30 Jul 2012, 20:29 pm
@fitz1ella-358: I must actually agree again. Hey this is a record. I too like to look at body language. In the Sharks changeroom were a lot of smiles, high fives, high energy. When they switched to the Stormers, I also got the feeling the Stormers were in for a long game.
It will take a special occasion, and a special group of players to break that choke. Trust me, as a Sharks fan I know that. I think the Sharks 2008 Currie Cup title took a big chunk out of that chokers barrier for the Sharks and they have been whittling away at it ever since.
Stormers are a good team. It is indeed time for them to get their heads straight. You guys needed more Jeans there on Saturday. If Schalk was on the field perhaps he could have snapped the guys minds right. There was a 10 minute purple patch for the Stormers where the best rugby was played on the night – but unfortunately it did only last 10 minutes.
Lets see what happens on Saturday. If the Sharks win this – it will be history but the Chiefs will play their hearts out. They dont want a second SA team to break all kinds of records against them in a Super rugby final.
30 Jul 2012, 20:30 pm
@>^..^< katman-361:
oh hell Kat he will be here to tell us he “TOLD US SO” HE PREDICTED IT 
30 Jul 2012, 20:34 pm
@sharks_lover-352: I don’t need your blessing same as I don’t need your expectancy.. I don’t support Sharks.. like I don’t support Bulls .. hardly ever.. there might come a time few and far between where the lesser of the two evils results in me supporting one or the other but as a general rule I will hardly ever support either Sharks or Bulls in any game of rugby.. against perhaps anyone..
If it were Cheetahs or Lions maybe a different scenario.. but Sharks and Bulls.. the two most outright mercenary encroaching big brash bravado laden bunch of bullshit artists under the sun.. I don’t support such a bunch of balderdash braggart bullshitters hardly ever…
and come Saturday I reckon Chiefs deserve to smack these big brash bravado bullshitters into the never ending story one more time around the rosemary bush.. that’s if they got the balls and the inherent psychological strength to do what Stormers couldn’t..
30 Jul 2012, 20:34 pm
@sharks_lover-360: Hope so otherwise we don’t have any back up there. Greenaway said they were still injured and Plum was hoping Lambie and Jordaan were okay by the end of the week. Jeez I would have applied again to get Fransie to be honest. Anyhow it is press so who knows.
@sharks_lover-362: Yes I have read they have taken more medical staff with them. All good that really.
30 Jul 2012, 20:35 pm
@Puma-366: Centers will be Meyer Bosman (unfortunately) and JP Pietersen.
30 Jul 2012, 20:36 pm
@Puma-366: watch SR on channel !!! dstv
Ashwyn wearing a Sharks jersey
30 Jul 2012, 20:38 pm
@fitz1ella-365: BLAH BLAH BLAH, we dont care dude, get over it
30 Jul 2012, 20:40 pm
@Transformation-293:
That Transie, is a CLASSIC Keo moment.
It’s up their with Black Panty thinking a try can be awarded if the ball touches the top of the pole protector padding.
30 Jul 2012, 20:40 pm
@Dusky-367: Well Bosman was actually very good against the Reds in the 2nd half. I know he tripped over his own feet, but really that was all that he done wrong. Though Fransie would have been the best bet if we are having injures. Damn stupid rule that we can’t bring in a player when we now have two centres that are injured.
@sharks_lover-368: haha. Never saw. But he was supporting Stormers on the weekend and so was Mallett. Now I think they just getting behind the last Saffa team still standing. Good for them. Sharks all the way………………
30 Jul 2012, 20:41 pm
@Dusky-367: NOt so sure boet, but if it is the case?? Bosman has been a lot better of late, forget the falling over his own feet against the reds. in the last 2 matches he has not missed a tackle, he also did very well on attack
30 Jul 2012, 20:42 pm
@>^..^< katman-361: what little fuckwit fucknuts like you need is a good lesson in simple etiquette .. what you know about what anyone thinks is absolutely FUCKALL…
so no Beast is no hero of mine.. not when he’s wearing Sharkshit black.. I hope that Chiefs TH prop shoves him so hard up his Sharkshit backside that Beasty Boy realizes he ain’t nearly such a f’ng king kong load of dynamite that he actually thought he was..
Just like you you little pathetic overgrown fucknut fuckwit.. who thinks he’s so f’ng clever.. little fucknut fuckwits like you who THINK they clever are absolutely and decidedly STUPID.. you f’ing dumb emaciated MORON..!!!
30 Jul 2012, 20:42 pm
@Puma-371:
30 Jul 2012, 20:44 pm
Oh Hell Skoppie has fallen over the edge again
expect 100 posts of ranting hell 
30 Jul 2012, 20:47 pm
@Puma-371: Puma mate come saturday?? i am nervous as hell, This is a very good Chiefs team, of course the legs are gonna be worn out from all the travel, but we gotta just keep hoping ans supporting,
even if we only have a 5% chance?? it’s a chance
30 Jul 2012, 20:47 pm
@sharks_lover-374: I really hope the team just rests this week. No training needed now. More rest will do them good.
30 Jul 2012, 20:49 pm
@Puma-377: Boet they have to train lol, specially working at moves to break the Chiefs lines and forwards etc
30 Jul 2012, 20:50 pm
@sharks_lover-376: I am nervous already. Though to be honest if we don’t win I will still be really proud of our boys. They done what none of us thought they would ever do especially after losing to the Lions. Thought that was us gone. Then jeepers they came back like a cracker jack against Bulls and have never looked back. Now the legs will be getting tired for sure. They have my full support win or lose. Very proud of our Sharks.
30 Jul 2012, 20:52 pm
@sharks_lover-378: I know but I tell you rest will be more important now. We have done all the training that is needed. Very light training and not much else now. Need to go in as fresh as we can for Saturdays final. Think they have spoken about the moves and looked at the game the Chiefs played the Saders. That will tell them more.
30 Jul 2012, 20:52 pm
@Puma-379: Fort ssure boet, very prouod of them, they already gone way beyond expectations.
30 Jul 2012, 20:56 pm
@sharks_lover-378: Remember Chiefs played one less game than us and they played their semi last Friday that too was a day before ours. They will be rested and we still had to fly all the way back over the Indian Ocean. Eish! Our Travelling Sharks….lol.
I have done that travel to Oz (not Nz) many times and feel really tired and I have not played rugby in between the weeks. They will be tired for sure. Need rest and more rest this week.
30 Jul 2012, 20:59 pm
@Puma-382: for sure boet, may try argue that its nothing, but they have not done this travel etc
30 Jul 2012, 21:00 pm
@sharks_lover-381: So if Greenaway never mentioned Alberts then I take it he is over that injury (think it was his groin) on Saturday. We sure as heck need him. We do have Deysel as well. That I tell you is a good feeling knowing we have back up like that.
Damn wish we could have taken Fransie with…..hahaha. Fransie and SBW. What a clash up that would have been? We will see it though this RC as SBW is going to play for ABs in the RC. Well from what I have read.
30 Jul 2012, 21:03 pm
Skop, for an octogenarian you sound an awful lot like a sulky teenager. Won’t support this team, won’t support that guy. There’s nothing rational about anything you’re saying. You’ve still got a fair bit of growing up to do.
30 Jul 2012, 21:04 pm
@sharks_lover-383: Cheers bro.
Out of here now.
Go Sharks…
only 80min of this S15 left. They need to look at it that way and just go for it.
30 Jul 2012, 21:05 pm
@>^..^< katman-385: eish Kat dont expect that to happen any time soon
30 Jul 2012, 21:06 pm
@Puma-386: Take care bro have a good one
30 Jul 2012, 21:12 pm
Time for Gordon Ramsay
30 Jul 2012, 21:17 pm
a lot of people have said the Sharks are an “inconsistent” team. they are perhaps right in some respects. but the Sharks are consistent in one regard. they make the final pretty much like clock work every 5 years. 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2012. they have made the final 4 times in 17 years, they have featured in almost a quarter of ALL Super finals! the Bulls have played in 3 in 17 years and the stormers have played in a measly 1. i think it’s time the Sharks finally win one!
30 Jul 2012, 21:22 pm
2 things to note,
The day of the Final its Bismarks 100th SR match for the Sharks and it is also Mcleods birthday.
30 Jul 2012, 21:23 pm
Is he a weight lifter, Dawn?
30 Jul 2012, 21:26 pm
This weight lifting is incredible. The suspense and drama cannot be scripted better.
30 Jul 2012, 21:26 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-390: i hope those milestones don’t overshadow or detract from the focus. they often do I’m afraid.
30 Jul 2012, 21:27 pm
394 was directed to 391.
30 Jul 2012, 21:40 pm
@fitz1ella-358:
Hey Skop. The truth is, I thought the Stormers actually played above themselves, to hold the Sharks at bay for part of that game.
Fact is, the Stormers didn’t lose because of some psychological issue, or lack of BMT or whatever. Nope. The Sharks just have better players than them.
Hence the 7 or 8 Sharks in the Bok starting line up compared to the Stormers 3.
I didn’t take a rocket scientist to predict this outcome.
I see even Gavin Stormers supporter Rich has admitted to exactly this in his latest Supersport column. Pity he was too blind to admit it PRIOR to the game.
30 Jul 2012, 21:46 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-394: sont think it will mate
Le Clos comes 2nd in semi final heat, was a new SA record
30 Jul 2012, 21:48 pm
@Tacitus-396:
you shouldnt say this to Skoppie Tac, He will come back ranting more then ever about how lucky the Sharks were,
30 Jul 2012, 21:49 pm
@Tacitus-396: Going to be interesting as to what team Plum chooses for the final, with Whitehad injured, JOrdaan and lmabie back?? interesting indeed
30 Jul 2012, 21:55 pm
Luvving Keo at the moment…
Angst from last week turns to Sulky anger this week… (For Brokeback fans)
Happiness from last week, still happiness this week… (For Dynamite fans)
Such a mix of emotions….
Luvverly really….
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