Super Rugby’s Conference System Flaws Exposed Once Again

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 19, 2015

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Super Rugby sits as the pinnacle of club rugby for many and illustrates the strengths of the southern hemisphere, but the Stormers' roundabout route into this year's play-offs has once again brought its format into disrepute.

An idealistic league layout has well-placed priorities of fairness and balance at its core, but in seeing the Stormers qualify for the post-season in 2015, we're instead witnessing results of an unfair and unbalanced regime.



The conference system, introduced in 2011, ensures that one team from each of the New Zealand, South Africa and Australia conferences is guaranteed to be represented in the play-offs.

But one has to ask whether Super Rugby's needs are being met when the Stormers can qualify in third place despite claiming fewer points (45) than the Crusaders, who finished seventh (46). ESPN Scrum's Brett McKay sympathised with the New Zealand bastions:



The outrage in Christchurch is understandable, too. In failing to make it to the play-offs, the Crusaders see their 14-year streak of post-season participation come to an end, not to mention this being a most disappointing farewell to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.

To simplify the matter, Allister Coetzee's side are being rewarded for their campaign when, truthfully, it should already be at an end. David Moseley of News24 suggested he's among those who see the flaw in the conference system:



It's only the second time in five years of the conference system being in use that the third-place finisher—the lowest-placed conference winner—has ended up with fewer points than the team finishing in sixth.

The other example came in 2012, when the Reds ended their regular campaign on 58 points behind the Stormers of South Africa and New Zealand's Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Crusaders, Bulls and Sharks finished on 61 points, 59 points and 59 points, respectively, to end up fourth...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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