Super Rugby Pacific's greatest season stained by one playoff game

I wrote posts on this on two rugby union FB platforms on June 9 (NZ time). I took it further to not only label this QF a “dead rubber” but also if the two sides had manufactured a win, with the Blues taking a raincheck on paying back the Chiefs in a future season, when a bottle neck arises.

Speculation? Indeed, but worth it to inject some credibility in SRP. With flagging interest in what has been a weak SRP, there needs to be some meaningful discussions around what needs to be done to make SRP a platform to select ABs/Wallabies from.

Now, I had reactions of “conspiracy theories” but it basically questions the motive of a repechage “Lucky Loser” facet because it only opens the playoffs to manipulation. It’s called the knockout stage for a reason. You snooze; you lose. No sweeteners required.

The only reason organisers opted for the Top 6 is for a revenue-gathering exercise but, it seems, it has backfired. The 8 qualifying format was a joke, akin to the Blues losing so many games and still making the playoffs. That smacks of the previous seasons’ dilemma.

It’s also worth noting some pool games were questionable because elite teams had done their homework on what boxes to tick for wins and which ones to forfeit. For example, Chiefs and Tahs had not performed in Lautoka against Fijian Drua on what is perceived to be a hostile pitch. Tahs had rested all Wallabies and marquee players.

The only option to retain integrity in SRP is to make to a Top 4. Cut your losses to win back the fans’ faith.

What nonsense. The 6 team finals served up some great rugby. The Blues on an uptick knocked over the Chiefs. Exciting game. The Chiefs have done enough to deserve a second shot. It's anyone didn't deserve to be there it was the Reds. They had some lucky wins but the FA ratio was poor. The stumble by the Chiefs also meant the Brumbies and Canes had to fight tooth and nail. The Blues could win and if they do they will be 9 wins, so No they can't lift the trophy with fewer wins than losses. It'll be a bruising match in Christchurch.

This the only comp out of the URC the Prem the Top 14 where almost half of the comp could actually win the comp like the Blues 6th or Canes who are out could actually win it ..apologies to the Reds…none of these other comps could do this except maybe Prem …truths up Super u are what u are it’s allgood

I would be happy with either the top 4 straight into the semi’s or top 2 and the knock out between the next 4. I also agree that under the current format the lucky looser should have lost home field advantage for the semi. The problem they have is that if they had been dropped to the bottom position the top 2 in regularly season would have ended up playing each other in the final, and you have to feel that that really should be our final, they were the two standout teams of the season.

Also interesting to note that early in the season there was much talk amongst the pundits of how well the Australian teams were going, I believe at one stage it was 2 NZ and 4 Aussie teams in the top 6. However when push comes to shove, we find that reversed, and now at semifinal weekend there is only 1 Australian team surviving.

It’s fine leave it alone. Nothings perfect.

Lost me at pineapple; love it on pizza

Fair call on the lucky loser thing

I think I’d prefer a 20 round comp with a winner declared. No finals. With Finals SR ends up that length so just do what the EPL does.

No competition should have over half the teams making the playoffs. The race for 6th place was quite exciting, and il admit did improve the last few weeks. But in my opinion in the big picture, it just rewards mediocrity. Having a team with a losing record make the playoffs devalues the regular season. In my opinion top 4 is a better option, and what I would prefer. or find a way to add a 12 th team from outside nz/Australia.

Format is fine with the caveat as Ben Smith says the lucky lifer team should lose any home advantage.

This format highlights the importance of bonus points and tries scored to grow a teams points differential. We want teams to keep trying to score tries late in games even if the games are lost to them.

To play in an effective quarterfinal that will be followed by a home semi final whether you win or lose is a farce.

This game should not have taken place, and if they were desperate to do so the teams should have been reseeded afterwards with the “lucky loser” OBVIOUSLY seeded last.

Am I just bitter because the Hurricanes got knocked out? Yes. But also it’s a stupid format.

The extra game required for revenue purposes has led to this

Top 6 is good and clearly the Blues are good enough to be there after last week

Top 8 is too weak and Top 4 just doesn’t give incentive to good teams with perhaps middling form in the regular season

They need to revert to top 2 have a rest week then it’s 3-6 playing off for the semis

That’s fair and reflects form throughout the season

As it stands now the Chiefs losing should drop to fourth as the lucky loser

Losing a game in the knockouts should have a harsher penalty

It should be top 4 only into straight semis and final. If you are not in the top 4 you don't deserve to be playing for the title.

This competition makes no sense.who even watches “super"rugby.they've got no clue how to run a competition

The only reason why the playoff system is convoluted is because the broadcasters needed an extra game in the finals series to make more money off of. The reduction in teams meant no more quarter finals so they were already losing one playoff game and also all the games the Rebels would have played. This means less broadcast time and less money making potential, less advertising space and less advertising time. Even with the new format the crowd attendance for the Crusaders game against the Reds was woeful and was not a good look for the comp. Super Rugby needs to add at least 1 more team and have a 6 team playoff system that makes sense and does not compromise on matches. Right now the system is way too complex.