The penultimate, Super 14, round-robin season is over, now that a new, soon-to-be-released Super 15 format will begin in 2011.

Here is my snapshot of how and why every franchise finished where they did in 2009.

1. Bulls
Finishing on top, the Bulls showed that the best of South African rugby is still deserving of the World Championship title.

Unbeaten at home and then winning two vital games away from Africa against the Hurricanes and the Waratahs proved that consistency of selection, especially with Morne Steyn at first-five, was a winning recipe.

Loftus Versfeld is their beloved fortress. Will the potential suspension of their cited players, Bokkies Batha and J.P.Nel, from the Sharks match be a factor in denying them a second title?

2. Chiefs
The franchise that has arguably frustrated its fans the most in Super 14 history has finally come through.

Hamilton is locating a semi-final and wherever you’re reading this from, you may well hear those infernal cowbells next Saturday.

After three losses in the first three rounds, the same old, same old underachieving looked more likely and Ian Foster’s name was mud.

But in a glorious turnaround, mostly from their tight-five, including two victories in South Africa and nine from their last ten games, the Chiefs have delivered.

Two more wins won’t be easy but surely, earlier doubters like myself will surely now hold their tongue.

3. Hurricanes
It will be a cocktail comprised of both relief and regret that the Hurricanes will be feeling right now.

Relief that they’ve made their sixth Super semi-final spot, but regret that a bitsy performance at the business end of the tournament against the Chiefs in Hamilton cost them a home berth.

The team that always threatens to turn in the most explosive single performance in any year, finally achieved that feat in the 56 - 7 demolition of the Brumbies.

The Ma’a Nonu / Conrad Smith combination starred in a squad that scored the most points overall by far, averaging 29 per game.

4. Crusaders
The post-Robbie Deans era looked to spell instant doom for the Crusaders when they had only notched up one victory after the first five games with the 6-nil loss to their sorry neighbours, the Highlanders seemingly the killer punch.

But picking themselves up off the floor soon proved an understatement as Todd Blackadder’s men then won seven out of the next eight including two critical victories in South Africa.

No praise is ever too high for this extraordinary franchise which, despite setbacks including Richie McCaw’s partial absence, has covered itself in glory again.

5. Waratahs
Yet again, another flatter-to-deceive, Waratahs’ season has presented some whacky statistics.

The first team to win all five matches on foreign soil and still miss out on the semis.
The first Australasian team to record a hat-trick of victories in South Africa and still miss the semis.

And the team with the best defensive record in 2009, conceding less than 16 points a game.

How bizarre?

6. Sharks
Has there ever been a shorter-priced favourite half-way through a Super tournament only to bomb out so dramatically?

The team from Durban won seven out of their first eight games.

But then, a tale of injuries, suspensions and poor defence relegated this proud franchise to also-rans.

7. Brumbies
With a remote, mathematical chance of reaching the semis going into the final round, the Brumbies finally finished where most pundits predicted.

The addition of Matt Giteau and Josh Valentine next year will provide instant impetus.

The death of Shawn McKay was a terrible thing.

8. Western Force
A franchise racked by obvious division. Why would any serious outfit hire John Mitchell in future?

Major defections will surely weaken this fledgling franchise next year.

9. Blues
Nothing short of a fully-blown disgrace. For example, how could New Zealand’s biggest franchise end up with a hack and a cast-off at first-five?

How can Chief Executive, Andy Dalton, stay in charge? Or will the apathetic fan-base ensure he remains?

10. Stormers
South Africa’s version of a team which mostly punches well below its weight. It should have threatened both the Sharks and the Bulls but fizzled again.

11. Highlanders
Showed flashes of promise, especially when beating the Crusaders and the Bulls. But sadly, they remain our weakest link.

12. Lions
Pushed more favoured teams hard on occasion, often losing by not much, but lose they mostly did.

13. Reds
A severe injury list finally extinguished whatever slight chance they had.

14. Cheetahs
The wooden spoon has found a deserving home in Bloemfontein.

My New Zealand Player of the Tournament
Mils Muliaina followed closely by Ma’a Nonu, Adam Thomson, Isaia Toeva and Issac Ross...all of whom will probably wear the black jersey this year.

They’re my thoughts. As always I welcome yours.