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Venue: AMI Stadium
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Venue: Emirates Airlines Park
Time: 15:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Very tough games to call. Saders v Lions in final for me but I think the Tahs could sneak it.
I think the Waratahs would stand a good chance of beating the Hurricanes at home though. And i'm pretty sure its a home final if the Hurricanes and Tahs win, so i'll be rooting for them. Not least because i can actually be in attendance then.Reckon these games will be a lot closer compared to the QFs.
The Hurricanes toppled the Crusaders in week 4 and while I don't see them doing it again this weekend, they'll definitely give the Saders a harder time than the Sharkies did
I think the Waratahs will be really hungry for a win but the travel should be the difference if the Lions show up.
I think if the Lions and Canes win there's a good chance we'll see Saffa winners in the final at Ellis Park, I don't see the Crusaders losing to the Waratahs or Lions at home with their current form so for me the comp's winners will likely be decided this weekend.
As a neutral I'm hoping for a couple of really intense games, with some lead swapping and a few drop goals to add to the dismal 2 completed this season. Let's see some proper tough playoff rugby!
Edit: also drop goals? really.. on the list of things to find entertaining about rugby drop goals aren't that high up.
Agreed, but of all 3 possible final locations Sydney is by far the least likely venue imo, although the thought of Canes vs Tahs in Aus is much more appealing to me than Saders vs Tahs in NZ. Who do you think is more likely to go to Christchurch and come back with the trophy, Lions or Tahs?I think the Waratahs would stand a good chance of beating the Hurricanes at home though.
Interesting opinion. You may not think so but I find them entertaining, they crown close games, they tend to be utilised much more exclusively in finals now days because you don't need BPs in finals and only need to win them. Stransky won the world cup for his team in '95 with a risky DG, Wilkinson in '03 with mere seconds of extra time remaining destroyed Aussie dreams, both those moments alone are entertaining enough for me to warrant looking forward to drop goals in two tough playoff games methinks, and again, as a neutral I want to see close games with plenty lead swapping and DGs are conducive to that. Also, I find them entertaining but I never said that DGs are on TOP of my list of things I find entertaining about rugby, just something I'm hoping to see more of (it's the playoffs? lol)Edit: also drop goals? really.. on the list of things to find entertaining about rugby drop goals aren't that high up.
Pretty much my sentiments, Elton reminding us that drop goals might be a deciding factor this weekend. 6 attempts across the whole season is pretty scant imo. Again, I reckon it's because teams would rather gun for a BP try then a DG win for obvious reasons.Really? I love Drop Goals. Ever since Joel Stransky and Jannie De Beer did it very well at World Cups, I loved it. But it seems to be a bit of a lost art. What is strange though is that Elton Jantjies slotted one against the Jags. Jantjies is one of those flyhalves who don't do that. It surprized me, and perhaps that is why I like it also. It's usually unexpected...
Agreed. The Lions forwards will be the danger point for the Tahs, and if they perform the basics right and provide a good platform for Elton then it should be another win. My worry though is the Lions' defence is not the best and they do tend to concede a fair amount of tries which will be a problem against the aforementioned backs and, provided the Tah's bring their A game on defence, it could be a really close game. The Tah's were extremely lucky last week imo with the YC and comeback and they can't rely on that happening again. Foley, Beale and Folau will be more important than ever this weekend, the Jags seemed to do well when the backs fired, especially Sanchez so If the Aussie playmakers fire it could very well make the difference.Sure, the tahs backs might be a tad better than the Lions' and could do some damage, but i think the lions pack will win this game.
Tough because neither really stand a snowflakes chance in hell. Tahs should have beaten them earlier in the season if Moody's blatant elbow to Beale's throat got punished. So maybe the Tahs? Lions are the better team though.Agreed, but of all 3 possible final locations Sydney is by far the least likely venue imo, although the thought of Canes vs Tahs in Aus is much more appealing to me than Saders vs Tahs in NZ. Who do you think is more likely to go to Christchurch and come back with the trophy, Lions or Tahs?.
If Latu starts (which he won't but really should), thats a front row of Robertson, Latu, Kepu. Each of those front rowers achieved parity with the Irish pack, even beating them on a few occasions. I'm not actually as worried about the scrum as i am about the lineout and ruck.I don't see the tahs can beating the lions. The lions didn't even played to their strengths against us.
Their scrum is just a monster and will get them a lot of penalties.