S15 Preview: Crusaders v Sharks

 

There has been a bit of a fuss kicked up by the World Cup winning coach who has berated the Super Rugby conference system stating that it sometimes throws up easy pathways to the semifinals.

 

The Crusaders and Sharks were in a tight tussel to secure second place during the regular season, but it was the men from Durban who faltered at the critical moment to let the Crusaders in.

 

The Sharks then had the unenviable task of facing the Highlanders in Durban for a second time – with the result favouring the home team this time round.

 

Now that the Sharks have secured a semifinal, they have also secured a trip to Christchurch, traversing 10 different time-zones.

 

The Crusaders on the other hand lie in wait after a weeks break – which has allowed them to select All Black legend Richie McCaw, who is over his rib injury, and Dan Carter who has returned to the game after a sabbatical back in the starting line-up.

 

White is well aware of what these stars could do to his hopes of being in the Super Rugby Final for a second consecutive year.

 

“The Crusaders are a phenomenal team, we're under no illusions of how good they are and what they've achieved, but we just have to prepare as best we can to give ourselves a chance,” explains White.

 

“They have players in their team who won the Rugby World Cup a few years ago, they have guys who are consistently in play-off games, the team hasn't missed out on play-off rugby in a long time, and all these guys have been part and parcel of play-off games, so I have no doubt that with the team they have available and the experience they have, they'll be a massive force.”

 

Whites team has been forced into a couple changes in the forward pack, with Springbok wrecking ball, Willem Alberts, shifting to lock to fill in for the injured Anton Bresler.

 

Jean Deysel comes in on the side of the scrum after an impressive outing against the Highlanders.

 

In the backline, there has been a shift outwards with Frans Steyn, Paul Jordaan and JP Petersen all moving out one spot to allow Pat Lambie to slot in at flyhalf.

 

At the same time, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is also well aware of what a good team the Sharks are.

 

“The Sharks have shown this season that they are an extremely classy outfit and a very difficult team to beat.  This is our biggest challenge yet, but we feel ready for it. 

 

“It is going to be awesome to play in front of a home crowd for this semifinal on Saturday and the roar of the crowd may just be the extra boost that gets us across the line,” Blackadder said.

 

The Sharks will obviously be playing for the privilege to play in the Final, but there are some interesting permutations should the South African team win.

 

If the Waratahs are successful at home against the Brumbies then the Sharks would jump the Tasman sea to face off against the men from Sydney (who they beat in Durban during the regular season).

 

However, Should the Brumbies emerge victorious in the Australian derby then it would be back to Durban for the Sharks and Brumbies to contest the Final.

 

 

For the Crusaders: The return of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will always be a reason in its self to watch a game. Their class and pedigree cannot be matched by anyone in rugby at present. Another star that has emerged from the Crusaders in Fijian Nemani Nadolo, the gigantic wing seems to finally have settled down in Christchurch and has found some try scoring form.

 

For the Sharks: The return of Pat Lambie to the starting role will be keenly anticipated by many Sharks and South African fans, he has shown before that he has big match temperament and White will be hoping to see that again in these hugely important game. Jean Deysel is another one to keep an eye on with the bruising flank getting back to the form that made him a Springbok.

 

Head to head: Dan Carter v Frans Steyn – both Carter and Steyn find themselves at No.12 this weekend, one position out from their usual spot. The flair and skill of Carter, acting like another flyhalf in the centres, will contrast significantly to Steyn who will likely try and emulate Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis who tackled Carter so hard in to 2013 Rugby Championship that referee Romain Poite was forced to yellow card him for breaking the sport of rugby!

 

Recent results:

2014: Sharks won 30-25, Christchurch

2013: Sharks won 21-17, Durban

2011: Crusaders won 36-8, Nelson

2011: Crusaders won 44-28, Twickenham

2010: Crusaders won 35-6, Christchurch

2009: Crusaders won 13-10, Durban

2008: Crusaders won 18-10, Christchurch

2007: Sharks won 27-26, Durban

2006: Crusaders won  22-20, Timaru

2005: Crusaders won 77-34, Christchurch

 

Prediction: White, although he may be playing his usual mind games, has already handed the Crusaders to win in the press thanks to the structure of the tournament and the fact that the game is happening in Christchurch. However, it is never that cut and dry, The Sharks have won in Christchurch already this season – with 13 men – which means it is a possible task, but then again, the Highlanders also won in Durban during the regular season – they now sit in Otago on an extended holiday.

The Sharks game revolves heavily around kicking, with the big men from Durban usually setting the tone; they have made (31) and received (30.4) more kicks from hand per game than any other side. However – they have also averaged the most turnovers per game (16.5)… which is something that will excite Richie McCaw. However, with all the stats in the world, the biggest factor that could determine this game is the home ground advantage, with that it mind it should be the Crusaders who advance to the Final by not much more than four points.

 

 

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Kieron Fonotia, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Johnny McNicholl.

 

Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Sibusiso Sithole, 23 Tonderai Chavhanga.

 

Date: Saturday, July 26

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT; 09.35 SA time; 17.35 AEST)

Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann, Mike Fraser

TMO: Ben Skeen