Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 17

There are two weeks left of Super Rugby’s round robin. The Hurricanes (somehow) upset the Crusaders and the Highlanders slipped from the pace, but most other teams kept on rolling. What we saw last week wasn’t nearly as good as most teams will have liked, but most should iron out the faults in their game within the week. Several teams are hanging around the top six, and a loss this week... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 15

It’s the last week before the international break and the battle to avoid the wooden spoon is pretty much between two teams now: the Blues and the Lions. The Hurricanes came back from their loss to the Brumbies by shellacking the Rebels 66-24. The result keeps them mathematically in the playoff race. Having lost to the Chiefs, the Bulls are back with the other contenders and risk slipping further... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 14

The race to finish in the top six is really beginning to heat up. With the Highlanders, Reds and Sharks all picking up wins, the pressure is now on all three to keep winning. After going down to the Rebels, the Crusaders rebounded in a big way, belting the Blues 59-12 in Christchurch. Quade Cooper also returned, although he was only a shadow of his best and will likely remain that way for some time... 

Super Rugby Playoff Race Heats Up as Contenders Keep Pace

There are just two weeks left before Super Rugby takes a break for the international window. After that, there are three more games in the round robin stage. At this point, we can gain an idea of how the table will look leading into the playoffs. What’s more, this weekend went a long way in influencing where the main contenders will finish. Early Saturday morning (NZT) the Stormers held out the... 

Hurricanes’ Loss Highlights Mark Hammett’s Need to Blend Flair with Structure

So far this season, the Hurricanes have been one of Super Rugby’s big surprise packages. After a disappointing 2011, they lost eight past or current All Blacks as coach Mark Hammett’s hard-line style of coaching proved unpopular with senior players. Hammett’s style introduced a much-needed series of changes. For most of the Super Rugby seasons, the Hurricanes have had no shortage... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 13

It’s Round 13, and the Bulls sit proudly on the top of the table with an impressive points differential of 108. The big game of the round saw the Chiefs fall prey to the resurgent Reds 42-27, although the score made the Reds’ win look more comfortable than it was. The sixth spot on the ladder is fast becoming a throne with many pretenders, with the Sharks, Reds, Highlanders and now Hurricanes... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 12

Super Rugby Round 12 features must-win games, potential upsets and what could be some close contests. Last week, the Hurricanes and Sharks both got themselves back into the playoff discussion with wins. The Sharks were solid against the travelling Highlanders, while the Hurricanes won pretty comfortably over the Blues, whose downwards spiral is continuing. The Crusaders and Bulls both solidified their... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 11

Despite last week’s on-field action, the defining moment was Will Genia’s shocking decision to head over to the Western Force, before later changing his mind and announcing his intentions to re-sign. The big teams and the Brumbies have all continued to look good. The Highlanders and Crusaders are both at least two wins ahead of any other team that might have final six ambitions. All four... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 10

Well, well, well. How about those Crusaders? They’re a team that’s just been continuing to get better and will continue to do so, barring injuries. The Chiefs, however, have shown that they won’t be giving up the NZ conference berth so easily as they continued their winning ways against the Sharks. All four of my picks were on the money, so my total sits at 27 from 36. With the hard... 

Super Rugby 2012: 4 Teams Guaranteed to Lose in Round 9

Last week the Crusaders continued their upward trend and are finally beginning to send their ship towards a playoff berth. What’s more impressive is that they managed it against the solid yet not outstanding Stormers, who earned their first bonus point of the season. The Reds had a beautifully timed bye and will see two of their first-fives return from injury next week. I was right in three of... 

Next Page »

Latest News

• Former England Manager Graham Taylor Dies at Age 72
• Bruce Arena Names USMNT January Camp Invitees
• Karamoko Dembele Makes England U15s Debut After Playing for Scotland in November
• USMNT Watch: Bobby Wood Nets 1st Bundesliga Goal Since September
• Rugby Player Bruno Andres Doglioli Banned 3 Years for Tackling Female Referee