You can’t beat Wellington on a good day, as the saying goes - but a wet day delivered heartbreak for Wellington’s Firebirds who will not feature in this season’s Dream11 Super Smash Finals after a washout in today’s last regular season round, at the Cello Basin Reserve.
It means the Canterbury Kings (18 points) will face Northern Brave (22 points) in the men’s Dream11 Super Smash 2v3 Elimination Final on Saturday at the same venue, with the winner to go on to play top qualifier the Central Stags on Sunday.
Jeet Raval’s Brave men have qualified at second on the table, meaning any further misbehaviour from the capital’s weather will put them through to the Final, with the stacked Kings side having snuck into third spot.
Despite having been at the bottom of the table at dawn today, the Firebirds still had a hope of qualifying if they had been able to play and beat the Brave in the final regular season game this afternoon, but rain meant their last hope was washed out without a toss made.
As a consolation, the two points from the washout elevate them to fifth on the close final points table, with last season’s champion the Auckland Aces relegated to the wooden spoon.
Both the Brave and the Kings have been regular finalists over recent seasons, but the Kings carry the hoodoo of not having won the Dream11 Super Smash title since the very first season, 19 years ago.
Jeet Raval is no stranger to the title | PHOTOSPORT
The Brave won the title for the first time in 2013/14, and have gone on to lift the trophy again in 2018, 2022 and 2023.
Cole McConchie’s Kings were meanwhile last summer’s Grand Finalists alongside the Aces, with the Aucklanders claiming the title after the Grand Final was washed out at Eden Park.
PHOTOSPORT
Perennial bridesmaids for sour season straight, the Kings also made the Grand Final in 2022 and 2023 (beaten by Northern Brave), and in 2021 when they were beaten by the Firebirds.
Saturday’s Elimination Final begins at 4.25 after the women’s Elimination Final between defending champion Wellington Blaze and Northern Brave women who also progressed today courtesy of the Wellington weather.
The Otago Sparks and Central Stags have secured the direct entry tickets to the respective Grand Finals, and in the event of a No Result, would claim the title as top qualifiers.