We’re at the business end of the season. Semi-final time!
Crusaders Vs Sharks
A heavyweight tussle between the Crusaders and Sharks kicks of four hours of griping rugby today. While the Crusaders have flexed their muscles since the June international break, the Sharks have struggled to find their early season form.
While the Sharks struggled to get past the Highlanders at home, they demonstrated set piece strength. However, the Crusaders are a step up in class and will need tighter back line defence is they are to stand any chance.
While the Sharks completely dominated the Highlanders scrum, it’ll be a different story against the Crusaders who boast half the All Blacks starting pack, and on percentages owns the most successful scrum in the competition this year.
The Sharks are the only team to have beaten the ‘Saders at home this year, but that match was arguably the Crusaders worst performance all year. No doubt the home team will be looking for revenge.
All Blacks captain McCaw makes a timely return to action after missing the Crusaders’ past three games with a rib injury he picked up while on Test duty. The superstar flanker’s availability will boost an already in-form pack boasting a stack of All Blacks talent, including skipper and No. 8 Kieran Read who looks to be back to the form that saw him crowned IRB world player of the year in 2013.
But McCaw will have his hands full against Coetzee, who has been in great touch himself and was a powerhouse against the Highlanders last week. The burly back-rower, who has been the leading ball-carrier for the Sharks this season, made nine bruising runs for 65m and crossed for an important try.
Sharks winger Mvovo looks set to be handed one of world rugby’s most unenviable tasks — shutting down Fijian flyer Nadolo. The Australian-born winger has been a revelation in his first season of Super Rugby, crossing for 10 tries to trail only Waratahs star Israel Folau (12). At 194cm and 125kg Nadolo is particularly hard to stop if he’s given time to hit top gear, and Crusaders playmakers Colin Slade and Dan Carter will be looking to do as often as possible.
Mvovo is no slouch in attack himself and leads the Sharks this season for run metres (920), tackle busts (40) and linebreaks (13). But he lacks Nadolo’s try-scoring prowess, crossing for only two five-pointers in 17 games.
The Crusaders and Sharks have met in two Super Rugby playoffs matches, with the New Zealanders winning both clashes, each time on home soil. They won their 2011 qualifying final 36-8 on their way to reaching the decider, and triumphed 36-32 in a 1998 semi-final before taking out the title.
The Sharks are trying to shake off a tag as one of Super Rugby’s biggest bridesmaid. They have made the playoffs on nine separate occasions but have failed to win a title in their four grand final appearances.
If any team is capable of causing an upset against the Crusaders at home, it’s the Sharks, however, there’s too much to play for. Because of this, I’m tipping the Crusaders to win by 6.
Waratahs Vs Brumbies
What a cracking semi-final this looms to be. Last time the bitter rivals met in Sydney for a top-four play-off, the Brumbies blew the Tahs out of the water. Little chance this time as a tight, yet entertaining, spectacle is promised.
Although NSW romped to the minor premiership and are title favourites, the Brumbies know what it’s like to win – and lose – big play-off games. They’ve produced their best performances of the season in wins over the Force and Chiefs and are playing with great pace and skill.
The Waratahs would have enjoyed a week’s rest and a chance to fix the worrying lineout problems the Reds exposed. But talk by some players they’re “unstoppable” and yet to hit their peak wouldn’t have been missed by their opponents. Expect a few news clippings pinned up on the Brumbies’ dressing room wall. It’s been a long time since the Tahs were in a tight one so the mental battle could be telling.
Last week against the Chiefs, the Brumbies surprisingly moved away from their old “Jakeball” game plan and played running rugby, to much success. The Tahs will have to be prepared for a team that could come out with two different tactics, and if the Brumbies resort to their long kicking game, how Folau handle’s it at the back will go a long way to determining a winner.
Both teams hate each other and are playing in a Super Rugby semi final in front of what should be close to a full house at Allianz Stadium. Need any more convincing to turn on the TV? How about 22 Wallabies facing off against each other?
These two sides split their regular season clashes. Stephen Larkham’s men got up 28-23 in Canberra in Round 5 but the Waratahs atoned with a 39-8 smashing of the injury-ravaged Brumbies in Sydney four weeks ago. The Brumbies are closer to full-strength this time around and have won four of their last six meetings with the Tahs, but their record in Sydney is atrocious. They have won just twice in 13 trips to the Harbour City, although one of those wins was a 51-10 triumph in the 2002 semi final.
With all that said, there won’t be much in it this weekend. The Tahs deserve to enter as favourites based on recent form and the Brumbies’ poor record in Sydney, but the men from Canberra know they’ve beaten the Tahs before this season and are perfectly capable of doing it again. But, I don’t think they will, however, it’ll be close. Waratahs by 7.
All I know is, both these games should be belters! If you choose not to watch either of them for what ever reason, there’s something wrong with you, and you should feel bad!
What’s your tips?
