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Weekend round-up: We should have semifinals every week

Munster vs Ospreys (Getty Images)

The northern hemisphere was the place to be this weekend as the Aviva Premiership and Pro12 semifinals and Top 14 barrages set an impossibly high bar for next week’s finals.

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Pro12: Leinster vs Scarlets

Full Game | Condensed

The history books say away sides do not win Pro12 semifinals. Scarlets set out to prove history is bunk with a stunning performance at the RDS – as they touched down three times in the opening half. But then they were forced into full-on defensive mode as a fully Lions-loaded Leinster started a fightback after the Welsh visitors had lost Steff Evans to a red card.

Top 14: Toulon vs Castres Olympique

Full Game | Condensed

Mourad Boudjellal said after this game that the refereeing of Alexandre Ruiz had driven him 10 years closer to the grave. Both sides had reasons to be upset at some of the decisions, but they somehow duked out an encounter at Stade Mayol that, on more-than-several occasions, nudged the tensionometer into the red.

Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens

Full Game | Condensed

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Do you remember that scene in The Usual Suspects, when conman Verbal Kint graphically describes Keyser Soze’s ‘willpower’ to FBI agent Dave Kujan? Yeah. That one. This match was that scene played out over 80 minutes in the form of a rugby battle of Sandy Park. It was no tryfest – but there was brutal beauty in its sporting savagery.

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Top 14: Montpellier vs Racing 92

Full Game | Condensed

Not even the die-hardest of Racing fans gave their side much of a chance of beating brutal and direct Montpellier on their home turf – especially after the last meeting here between the two sides ended in a 54-3 humiliation. But, clearly, no one in the ciel-et-blue camp had read the script for the match. Or, if they had, they’d Brandoed it in favour of something better. Joe Rokocoko and Leone Nakarawa were both outstanding. Then, there’s the sheer comedy joy of seeing a wayward rugby ball smack referee Romain Poite in the unmentionables.

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Aviva Premiership: Wasps vs Leicester Tigers

Full Game | Condensed

Exeter vs Saracens was always going to be a tough game to follow. After the two sides at Sandy Park had ramped the Premiership semifinals intensity all the way up to 11, matching it seemed almost impossible. But, Wasps and Leicester more-than managed it with a dogfight at the Ricoh that barely paused for breath. The second half, in particular, was extraordinary. For the second time in as many 2017 Premiership semi-finals, the outcome remained in the balance until beyond the death.

Pro12: Munster vs Ospreys

Full Game | Condensed

Truth be told, this encounter was a mostly cagey, defensive affair. But a moment of magic from the hosts’ back three lit up Thomond Park midway through the second half. It would grace just about any rugby highlights package. Meanwhile, departing centre Francis Saili bade farewell to the Limerick faithful with a barnstorming man-of-the-match performance.

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t
takata 43 minutes ago
Can Les Bleus avoid a Black-wash in New Zealand?

Why though? Like just because that’s how they decided to go doesn’t mean it still would be. They might have second thoughts now.

There was an inbetween first wasn’t their, a simple split pool (two) system?

Because a single championship with multiple pool/conference was played for decades before creating those actual four tiers, each competing now into a single pool. Unanimely, people having participed in both will tell you that the actual system is fairer and a better watch than in the past. There is no way back.


The inbetween championships were simply one season transitional as the initial goal was a Top 16 (like actual Pro-D2). Every international window before summer rest, including 6N, had simultaneous rounds of championship played, before the top clubs pushed for a championship reduced to 14 clubs. There is still two rounds of Top 14 played simultaneously with international games between november and March.


Is it better to have a fake final and give UBB a chance? Or is it like the All Blacks and you need to win the match that matters, and not all those in between, that proves you’re the best?

Well, I guess that you probably missed something:


- Clubs are ranked after the first 26 rounds of Top 14; they will play all 13 opponents twice: 13 home games, 13 away games; each game is worth 4 pts for a win, 2 pts for a draw, 1 pt bonus offensive (3 more tries scored than opponent > only one team can get it), 1 pt bonus defensive.


Rankings:

- Teams ranked 1st-6th will have a chance to win the championship during the next 3 rounds of “phases finales” (historicaly, the championships was always decided by play-off);

- Teams ranked 1st-8th will qualify for the next European Champions Cup;

- Team finishing 13th will play an “accession/relegation” game vs the Pro-D2 finalist.

- Team finishing 14th will be automatically relegated and Pro-D2 Champion promoted;


“Phases finales” (Play-off):

- Teams ranked 3rd-6th will play the “barrage” round (quarter final) for a “real” place in semi final;

- Teams ranked 1st-2nd will play the semi-final vs the winner of the previous round for a “real” place in final.

- The team wining the final is declared “real” Champion of the whole season.


Basically, this system is sound because it’s providing a very balanced contest with lots of drama for those aiming to finish amongst the top 2 (direct spot in semi-final), top 6 (a chance to win it all in Play off), even top 8 (Euro CC) but absolutely not 13th or 14th.

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