Rugby: The best side to ever miss the playoffs

Richie McCaw's season for the Crusaders is over before the playoffs. Photo / Getty Images

As their playoff fate was sealed last weekend, the Crusaders were left ruing some poor decisions which saw them miss out on knockout rugby by a slim margin.

However, the perennial contenders' poor play was also hampered with a hefty dose of bad luck, leaving them with a dubious distinction no side ever wants to have.

The 2015 Crusaders are the best side to ever miss the Super Rugby playoffs.

Take a bow, Super Rugby conference system. Despite ending with 46 points, the Crusaders missed out on the playoffs due to the Stormers (45 points) taking out the South African conference.

There's not much of an argument that the two teams are that close either, with the Stormers' points differential of +50 paling in comparison to the Crusaders' +143.

That points differential of the Crusaders (+8.93 per game) was the second best in the competition this season, and their 481 points scored was also the most scored in the competition.

Things look bleak on the horizon for the Cantabs, with legends and solid squad players alike departing, but there's a sliver of good news when forecasting for the red and blacks as well.

Points differential has been proven to be a better indicator at forecasting future results than simple win-loss record - so although they may not quite be as strong a team at their peak next season, a slight change in luck coupled with strong offseason moves or acquisitions could see the Crusaders make a swift return to the playoffs.

For now though, the Crusaders top the honour roll of the best sides to miss out on experiencing the drama of post-season rugby.

Here are some of the other teams who didn't have luck go their way.

2012 Brumbies

The 2012 Brumbies had a points differential of +73, but missed out on the playoffs to a Reds side who could only muster a points differential of +12 through their 16 games.

As you would expect, the Reds were dumped out at home by the Sharks, 30-17, leaving the Brumbies (and the 8th placed Hurricanes) to wonder how much better they could have fared.

2008 Blues

Scorers of the second most points in the competition and holding the third best points differential, the Blues strung together three straight wins to make a late-season run, but with only four points separating second from sixth they just missed out.

2004 Blues

Much like in 2008, the Blues reeled off three straight wins to end the season, including a last round 50-22 trouncing of the Highlanders to look good going into the playoffs. However, a bonus point in a loss for the Chiefs coupled with a late win for the Stormers saw the unfortunate Blues miss out by a point.

Both the Chiefs and the Stormers were swept aside in the semifinals, but it was hard to expect anyone to topple the Crusaders and Brumbies that season.

2000 Stormers

The Stormers and their positive points differential were pushed out of the playoffs for a rare appearance by the Cats, who somehow snuck in despite conceding more points than they scored throughout the season.

Points differential's predictive powers were again shown as the Cats were crushed 28-5 by the Brumbies in the semifinals.

1999 Brumbies

Before they went on to become one of the dominant teams of the early 2000s, the Brumbies had to face adversity.

A points differential of +7.54 per game is the second best figure of any side to ever miss the playoffs, as the Brumbies went a ridiculously unlucky 1-5 in close games.

1997 Crusaders

Finally, the Crusaders missed the playoffs in the second Super Rugby season despite being one of only four sides to score more points than they conceded in what was a top-heavy competition.

The Sharks fought their way into the postseason with a points differential of -29, and abruptly got waxed 55-36 by a memorable Blues side.