Well tomorrow is the first semi-final game of the Super 15. It has been one hell of a season. It has been gruelling and closely fought. One of the closest competitions I can remember.
Chiefs vs. Crusaders – Hamilton (Fri 09:35am)
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
The Chiefs face the Crusaders tomorrow morning. In my opinion the Crusaders should win this battle. I know the Chiefs have Sonny and Cruden playing some excellent rugby, but the fact is that the Crusaders know how to win semis. That coupled with the fact that they don’t have to travel 22000km’s and that they have some momentum going in, should tip the scales in their favour. It will be a close battle… or should be at least, but the Crusaders should take it by 5 or more.
Stormers vs. Sharks – Newlands (Sat 17:00pm)
Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Frans Malherbe, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Don Armand, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
This is another of those tight games you wouldn’t want to put money on. The Sharks have come off an excellent win against the Reds. Their forwards dominated and their backs played like they have learnt their trade inNew Zealand. The return of all their first choice forwards has really helped the Sharks in the latter part of the tournament. Lambie and Jordaan won’t make the game. Lambie’s loss won’t be felt that badly since Ludik has found some excellent form. However, Jordaan’s loss might be the Stormers gain. Bosman is not a player that instils any confidence in his play, and with the memory still fresh of how Jean schooled him last year it might have a negative impact on his play. Plus I think overall he is just a mediocre player at best. The Stormers have had to endure another season of heavy losses but somehow still managed to top the table, the mark of any quality side. The break might not have been such a good thing since the Sharks head into the match with momentum, on the other hand they just had to travel 22000km’s. I expect the Stormers to just squeak through by 3 point or more.
I don’t have my head around these games yet. I agree with what you say with the Saders that they know how to play and win finals rugby….but that didn’t happen for them last year (granted it was an exceptional year for them)
Out of 15 semi finals/elminators the Saders have won 12. The 3 they lost were all away, while they only won 2 away, whilst losing none at home.
Ironically those 3 were all against the Bulls. But they have never faced a NZ side in a semi final. The Chiefs on the other hand, will have learned from their last two losses and had it not been for some obscure/questioned TMO decisions, the results could have been different.
I know the Saders are the favorites, but I have a gut feeling about the Chiefs coming away with the win here.
Not so for the Stormers though. My gut tells me they will simply not be good enough for the Sharks who are truly on fire at the moment. It will take a monumental effort from the boy to overcome the Sharks who will be reeling from their victories against the Bulls, Cheetahs and Reds and they are oozing confidence.
They have several Springbok stars in their squad, so the odds are, despite what Bookies say, stacked in their favor. The travelling to SA is not such a big issue, as you travel with time. It’s when you travel against time to NZ when it affects you most. And if the Sharks win, that will be their downfall.
But in the last two years, the Stormers have not lost a game after a bye, so it seems as if a bye will suit them, but I just think the Sharks side is going to be too good for the Stormers….unfortunately so, because SA has the best chance to win this thing this year if a New Zealand team had to travel to Cape Town.
true… it’s just too close to call… the Stormers manage to shut teams out… as do the Crusaders. I wouldn’t bet against either and I wouldn’t bet for either. Last year the Saders travelled like astronauts and still reached the finals.
The final this year will be in Cape Town. The Chiefs will have favourable TMO decisions tomorrow while the Stormers have been playing “Finals” rugby the whole season. The travelling will hit the sharks in the last 20 minutes