No. The Chiefs as the defending champions and with a better win-loss record than the Crusaders in 2013 have earned the right to be classed as the favourites going into that semifinal (providing the Crusaders make it). While the loss in Christchurch was comprehensive, it wasn't a confidence killer as this Chiefs team is honest and smart and will take the lessons learned from that defeat and will put them into practice next time they meet.
Those lessons are: winning the contact, getting more numbers at the breakdown past the ball and better ball security.
Home advantage can't be underestimated in this competition and the 16th-man effect is a factor at a sold-out Waikato Stadium.
A large number of this Chiefs team also have past history of losing to the Crusaders in round-robin play, then beating them in the playoffs, so the match won't hold any fears like it might once have.
The Chiefs are the favourites and it's a tag they should be proud to hold.
Q: Can you see anybody stopping the Bulls before the final?
No. The Bulls are unbeaten at home this year and I can't see that changing.
Even back when the Bulls weren't going so good, their home record was impressive and gets even better against New Zealand and Australian sides. Loftus Versfeld is a fortress and the epitome of home advantage.
Unfortunately for them, they may not play the final at home, which drastically alters their chance of a fourth Super rugby title.
In the 17 finals played so far, 14 have been won by the home side and only once, back in 2000, has it been won by a team from outside the country where the game was played - when the Crusaders won 20-19 in Canberra. That puts into perspective how important finishing at the top of the round-robin table is and why the semifinals are the more intense, closely fought contests.
