(picture http://ab.co/1pjZ1El)
Another pair of great matches to look forward to this weekend, as the Super Rugby competition nears its end.
First up will be from Christchurch, where the Crusaders are hosting the Sharks. The Sharks have traveled at least half way around the world to get to Christchurch, which is hardly ideal, and face a team refreshed and coming off a bye, and in a rich recent vein of form. That doesn’t really look too promising for the Sharks does it, also taking into account that the Sharks score a lot of their points through penalties, and the Crusaders have given away the least penalties so far this year. The Crusaders have never lost at home at this point in the tournament, and aren’t planning to change that on Saturday. Having said all that, the Sharks did turn the Saders over earlier on this season, with 14 men for most of the match, admittedly while the home side were without Carter and Reid. Out of all the SA sides, they have the most ammunition in the backs to turn to a plan B if the forwards can’t bludgeon the opposition into submission. If the Sharks can really get in the Crusaders faces early, and put them off their game, they have a chance, otherwise it’s only going to go one way.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, there’s a great derby coming up with the Waratahs hosting the Brumbies. The ‘Tahs have been impressive from the middle of the season on, while the Brumbies really hit their straps last week against the Chiefs. The key men I think will be Henry Speight and Israel Folau, and how they are contained, as either could go one to turn the match. Home advantage for the Tah’s is massive, but travel wasn’t much of a burden for the Brumbies, and this is a pretty evenly matched contest. Overall, though I’m backing the consistency of the Waratahs to see them home at home.
Super Rugby
Saturday , July 26
Waratahs vs Brumbies
Crusaders vs Sharks
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