The final run - 2012 Super Rugby Champion

Basically i just wanted to start another Poll.

The last standing competitors:

Nostradamus Table after 18Rounds:
1. Chiefs
2. Stormers
3. Brumbies
4. Crusaders
5. Bulls
6. Sharks
7. Reds
8. Hurricanes

QF1- Crusaders v Bulls - Winner Crusaders
QF2 - Brumbies v Sharks - Winner Sharks

SF1 - Chiefs v Sharks - Winner Chiefs
SF2 - Stormers v Crusaders - Winner Stormers

GF - Chiefs v Stormers

2012 Super Rugby Champion - Chiefs

Hurricanes
Rd 18 v Chiefs
Likely Table finish- 8th
Unlikely to make the finals, need a bonus point win against the Chiefs and then also need the Reds to fail to win with a bonus point and either of the Bulls or sharks to lose with no bonus points.
Probability of making the finals: 5%
Summary: Performed above expectations in 2012, some extremely promising talent however injuries and lack of experience will see them miss out in 2012.. 2013 will be a big year for the boys from Wellington

Reds
Rd 18 v Waratahs
Likely Table finish - 7th
Similar position to the Hurricanes, relying on either of the Sharks, Bulls or Brumbies to lose with no bonus points.
Probability of making the finals: 10%
Summary: Won 5 in a row and showing similar form and grit to what won them the championship in 2011, however a mid season slump and lack of bonus points will come back to haunt them.

Crusaders
Rd 18 v Force
Likely Table finish - 4th
Finals Summary: Pure pedigree, experience will help them defeat the Bulls, but going to struggle against the Stormers in the SF

Sharks
Rd 18 v Cheetahs
Likely Table Finish - 6th
Summary: Hot and Cold through the season, already beaten the Brumbies at home in 2012. should do it again come the QF

Bulls
Rd 18 v Lions
Likely Table Finish - 5th
Summary: Looking strong early on in the season with a strong attack, however struggle against teams with a solid defensive pattern.. Cant see them beating the Crusaders in Christchurch

Brumbies
Rd 18 v Blues
Likely Table Finish - 3rd
Summary: Short of big match experience across the board, haven't been the same side since losing Lealifano, likely to lose to the Sharks in Canberra

Stormers
Rd 18 v Rebels
Likely Table Finish - 2nd
Summary: Defensively driven side, will make short work of the Crusaders at home, however losing the home ground advantage for the GF against the Chiefs will be a trip to far.

Chiefs
Rd 18 v Hurricanes
Likely Table Finish - 1st
Summary: Going to defeat the Sharks at home in the semi, great all round team, dangerous in attack and strong in defence.. 2012 Champions

Can see Brumbies beating the Sharks if they have a good day, but not the Crusaders. Can't see the Stormers beating the Crusaders either.

Can see Chiefs beating Crusaders, assuming no Bryce Lawrence

The Brumbies will be a very good chance of beating any team they come up against at home if they finish third...

I can't see any team beating the Chiefs or Stormers at home.. the Super Rugby Champion will be either one of those two teams

Problem is Slim they won't be playing at home in the semis.

The Stormers have been pathetic of late, cannot score tries.

Saw what happened last year when they tried to chase a lead, can't do it.

I'd love for them to travel to Cape Town and beat the Stormers there...

Unfortunately that wouldn't be the ideal itinerary if they were serious about winning the championship...

That was against a very very good Crusaders side.. the only team i can see doing that to the Stormers at a home final in 2012 is the Chiefs, maybe the Reds with QC back, however i expect the Chiefs will finish top of the table cementing their own home GF

This current Stormers side is no where near the one of last year. Still no time frame on when Burger, Koster, Vermulean will be back. They only managed 1 try against the Cheetahs last night and had 1 against the Lions up until the 70th minute the previous game. If a team gets a good start against them they're gone. I would back any of the current top 9 to beat them over there.

The Brumbies have won ten games this season. These wins were over the Western Force x2, Melbourne Rebels x2, NSW Waratahs x2, the Cheetahs, Lions, Hurricanes and Highlanders. They skipped playing the the Bulls and Crusaders. I can't see them winning from 3rd at all.

I think it will probably be out of the Crusaders, Chiefs if they finish 1st and the Sharks.

The Brumbies played the Bulls, in Pretoria, and lost by 2 points.

We didn't play the Stormers and Crusaders.

However, if we had've played them this year we would've played the Stormers in Cape Town, and the Crusaders in Canberra...

And history dictates the Brumbies would've won both of those...

Hypothetically speaking...

A loss is still a loss...

But a loss that produces 2 points is better than a loss that produces 0 points and a terrible points differential...

Really?

The Brumbies should just give up now...

I fear the glasses in your emoticon are hiding the fact it is missing an eye..

Got spite?

We know as Brumby fans, we've been in quite a few finals.

Brumbies are a chance at home in week one of the finals. It will get hard after that though.

The Stormers have been pathetic yet they're the only team to lose only 2 games all season. Doesn't say much for the rest of the competition. Funny how injuries have been used as an excuse for certain teams losing at various times this year but the Stormers have still managed to win despite their injuries and have not needed to use that excuse.