Super Rugby report card: how all 15 teams are faring with the playoffs approaching

Alex Broun 01:11 31/05/2018
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  • The Crusaders were superb against the Hurricanes

    Coming into the final rounds of the Super Rugby regular season and the Crusaders look the team to beat after their superb win against the Hurricanes. Elsewhere the Jaguares and Rebels continue to surprise.

    Here’s our report card on all 15 teams starting with the Australian conference and our predictions of where they will finish up:

    AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

    BRUMBIES (AUS)

    Current position: 12th

    Prediction: 14th

    The big disappointment so far, the Brumbies pulled off a stunning upset against the Bulls last time out. Dan McKellar’s team were in a straight shootout for the wooden spoon with the improving Sunwolves but after Pretoria, perhaps a late run to the playoffs is possible.

    MELBOURNE REBELS (AUS)

    Current position: 8th

    Prediction: Quarter-finals

    Started the season superbly winning four of the first five games to be shock leaders, but then the wheels came off. They loss their next five before notching up a crucial win against the Brumbies and a win over the Sunwolves. A few more wins and they may just end up in the playoffs.

    QUEENSLAND REDS (AUS)

    Current position: 13th

    Prediction: 13th

    Another up and down season with superb results against Bulls (H) and Jaguares (A) followed by shellackings against the Sunwolves and Brumbies. The Reds are a work in progress and short on depth and experience but Brad Thorn may have them buzzing by next season.

    SUNWOLVES (JAP)

    Current position: 15th

    Prediction: 15th

    History-making back to back wins, with the second coming after the siren against the Stormers via a superb Hayden Parker drop goal, gave the Wolves some joy. Jamie Joseph has finally got them growling and they may yet cause a few more upsets before the playoffs.

    NSW WARATAHS (AUS)

    Current position: 3rd (1st in Aust)

    Prediction: Quarter-finals

    Finally started to show some form over the last month. The Tahs should have beaten the Crusaders in Christchurch and they finally broke the Kiwi-Ozzie hoodoo against the Highlanders. Look playoff bound and may even reach the final four with home advantage in their quarter final.

    NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

    BLUES (NZ)

    Current position: 14th

    Prediction: 12th

    Another

    Disappointing season for the multi-talented Blues. The return of Sonny Bill Williams will help them in the last month and they have winnable games against the Reds and Rebels but with this much talent in their team the Blues are still under-performing badly.

    CHIEFS (NZ)

    Current position: 5th

    Prediction: Semi-finals

    Started to wane with some poor results – a loss to the Jaguares at home and the Sharks in SA – before bouncing back with a crucial win over NSW. Still a great side but look a rung below the Canes and the Saders and hard to see that changing in a few short weeks before the playoffs.

    CRUSADERS (NZ)

    Current position: 1st (1st in NZ)

    Prediction: Champions

    Even with a host of All Blacks out, managed to defeat the in-form Canes in horrendous conditions last week. Scott Robertson has his team playing superbly as a team and if they finish top of the table giving them home advantage in the playoffs, they will be champs.

    HIGHLANDERS (NZ)

    Current position: 6th

    Prediction: Quarter-finals

    Had to suffer the indignity of losing to NSW to end the Australian losing steak against NZ teams and have not looked their clinical best this season – except in patches. Have a tough run in against the Saders, Chiefs and Canes but still should just scrape into the playoffs.

    HURRICANES (NZ)

    Current position: 4th

    Prediction: Runners-up

    Smarting after being outplayed, and out-thought by the Saders last time out. They are now five points behind the leaders with a game in hand but those five points will be tough to make up in the final rounds – and the Canes won’t win the final if they have to travel to Christchurch.

    SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

    BULLS (SA)

    Current position: 11th

    Prediction: 10th

    Have really improved under John Mitchell and got back to something like the champions of old. If not for some poor results, like the home loss to the Brumbies, they may have been pushing for the playoffs. Definitely on an upward curve with some young talent like Warrick Gelant.

    JAGUARES (Arg)

    Current position: 7th

    Prediction: Quarter-finals

    The surprise packet of 2018 currently on a six run winning streak, including victories over Blues and Chiefs in NZ. Finally living up to their potential and need just one more win to reach the playoffs for an historic first time. New coach Mario Ledesma has over-achieved.

    LIONS (SA)

    Current pos: 2nd (1st in SA)

    Prediction: Semi-finals

    Without Johann Ackermann, the Lions have struggled and great results have been followed by shock losses (six in all). Still in prime position to finish top of the SA conference but importantly they will not finish first overall meaning they will have to travel for the playoffs.

    SHARKS (SA)

    Current position: 9th

    Prediction: 9th

    Have really started to put it together in the last month and could end up as South Africa’s top side. Superb wins over the Chiefs, Highlanders and Blues mean they are still in the running but must beat Lions (A) and Jaguares (H) to squeak into the final eight – and hope results go their way.

    STORMERS (SA)

    Current position: 10th

    Prediction: 11th

    Extremely disappointing season for the boys from the Cape, which looks to be the last for coach Robbie Fleck. They have won just five games with the low point the loss to the Sunwolves in Japan through a very late drop goal. Won’t be returning to the playoffs.

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