Super 14 Finals Format

[Burgs]

Now that there are fourteen teams playing Super Rugby, do you think that it may be time to change the Finals structure from a four team Semi knockout?

[O'Regan]

I think 8 teams, 6 teams miss out, or 6 teams, but I'm not sure how that is going to work.

[The InnFORCEr]

It ain't broke, don't fix it!

[Shaun]

Stay 4 teams...

[Burgs]

I know all the "It aint gunna change because of the contracts etc" arguments but I reckon there is a case for more reward going to either the first or first & second ranked teams.
Under a six team finals 1st and 2nd would earn a bye and then play the winners from whatever combination of 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th (probably 3v6, 4v5).
I'm not suggesting a whole complicted AFL style of thing, just an extension by a week and a bit more reward/bonus for the top couple of teams.
At the moment, once the Final Four is established most of the Super Rugby World shuts down their interest for the season, a couple more teams would liven that up for a bit longer too.
Not convinced, just sharing a thought

[LarryNJ]

I think you keep it at 4, than every regular season game is important. But more team will probably get added in the near future for one reason only. $$$$ Bigger teleevision contracts mean the networks control more and they want people watching. People jump on the bandwagon when a team gets in the playoffs = more viewers = bigger revenue.

[Shaun]

Burgs you raise a good point, I'm changing opinion... I'm with Burgs- 6 teams!

[Flat-top]

Can see your logic about trying to retain the interest for more teams for longer but a similar experiment in the GP a couple of seasons ago didn't really work. In that situation there were three teams involved, the top finishing side got a bye to the final and 2nd & 3rd played off for the right to join them. Problem was that although the idea was meant to "reward" the top placed team in fact because the fixtures then are spread out over a longer period they found themselves resting up and without a meaningful fixture while the eventual winner of the 2/3 playoff went into the final fired-up and in form.

Another solution to the end of season slow down is for the teams not involved in the playoffs (5 - 14) to be entered into a secondary cup or shield comp.

[WF2006]

Hi All, new to this and love the Rugby chat!
For what its worth, I think the 4 team system rewards the true performers of the season. I always think comps that let the top 50% (like the AFL) or more (I think the NBL is 8 from 11!!) devalue the performances put together in the regular home and away to some degree. I think S14 provides a true cut-troat hard-nails approach which emodies the key aspects of our beloved sport.

PS - bugger, just realised that F7 doesn't help me in here!! (although looking at some of the spelling in some of the other threads - I probably should have realised!!!!!!)

[LarryNJ]

Hi All, new to this and love the Rugby chat!
For what its worth, I think the 4 team system rewards the true performers of the season. I always think comps that let the top 50% (like the AFL) or more (I think the NBL is 8 from 11!!) devalue the performances put together in the regular home and away to some degree. I think S14 provides a true cut-troat hard-nails approach which emodies the key aspects of our beloved sport.

PS - bugger, just realised that F7 doesn't help me in here!! (although looking at some of the spelling in some of the other threads - I probably should have realised!!!!!!)

I agree with your thoughts on the 4 team system.

We have a spell checker...abc upper right...it's seldom used though!

[WF2006]

Ahhh.....found the abc, its in the "Go Advanced" bit - learning slowly!

[Mtbeaver]

i use it.. although Firefox has a built in spell checker

So i dont use it as much

I think as TIF said - 'It ain't broke, don't fix it!' which is good enough for me.

Leave it at 4

[O'Regan]

I use Internet Explorer, because I have used it for ages, and I forger Modzilla Firefox.

But Either there does need to be more teams involved in the Finals. Maybe 6. I would like to see a fifth Australian team, and a Pacific Island team, or Japan team, or something like that.

Or even 2 pools, with seedings from the competition of last year.

[Sagerian]

Most comps work on the ideal that if a team wins all there home games and half their away games, they deserve to get into the finals. I like the 4 team system as you have to be better than "just a good team" to make it.