Super rugby wrap: Week 16

The round robin is coming to a close in two weeks, it is the business end of the competition and this weekend saw only one real upset. The Hurricanes in spite of being totally dominated in the tight phases somehow managed to beat the fancied Crusaders.

Results of the weekend.

30 Vodacom Bulls 40 - 24 Toyota Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
30 DHL Stormers 27 - 17 MTN Lions DHL Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
30 Force 17 - 28 Brumbies NIB Stadium, Perth
30 Crusaders 22 - 23 Hurricanes AMI Stadium, Christchurch
29 Rebels 17 - 32 Reds AAMI Park, Melbourne
29 Highlanders 21 - 27 Chiefs Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Log after round 16 excluding the bye log points.

Spoiler:

Mathematically there are now still 8 teams who can qualify.

Remaining fixtures.

Chiefs vs Crusaders
Reds vs Highlanders
Sharks vs Bulls
Blues vs Force
Waratahs vs Brumbies
Cheetahs vs Stormers
Lions vs Rebels
Hurricanes vs Chiefs
Brumbies vs Blues
Crusaders vs Force
Reds vs Waratahs
Stormers vs Rebels
Sharks vs Cheetahs
Bulls vs Lions

If it ever happened that South african or New Zealand rugby needed a bit of a hand from Australia, I hope they dont forget the allownaces theyve been made in the past.

Crusaders did themselves no favours and could go out if Canes beat the chiefs, chiefs beat the saders- both very possible results. Although the saders ridiculed them scrum and lineout time the ball use was not good and the canes made the most of not a lot.

Dan Carter has a real knack of getting injured at the most inopportune times. Any news whether he'll be back next week? I'd prefer to see crusaders through to maximise nz chances in the playoffs, but if they stagger unconvincingly from here, maybe they're not deserving. Been really impressed with the canes, they're playing with effort and for each other. Few international stars, no egos, no baggage. Glad for Hammer after last year. Even if they don't make it, they've turned it around from last year and handed the batten to the blues

Really pleased how the Stormers played.. our team had so many new faces I was surprised how competitive we were vs. the Lions... can't see us not getting to the final... but whether that will be enough given we'll be depending on the Chiefs to slip up next week (no bonus point) etc I'm not so sure.

A home final is so important.

I'll be really disappointed if it's not a Chiefs vs. Stormers final. They have been the best two teams by a distance and I think would be a great final. Both bring very different games to the table and it would be difficult to call.

Either would be a deserving winner and would be nice to see a new name on the trophy.