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With the promise of an exciting weekend of Super Rugby semi-finals just around the corner, it seemed an appropriate time to have some fun and ask some questions of The Roar community.
It all starts up front, and the scrum contests in both matches should be fascinating.
I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the 19-year-old Thomas du Toit fares for the Sharks. The young loosehead looks a real star for the future after his solid performance against the Highlanders and his battle with Owen Franks should be one to keep an eye on.
With Bismarck du Plessis in beside Thomas, Owen might have his hands full. Or will the young man be handed a severe lesson?
The other side of the scrum sees two heavily criticised players, Jannie du Plessis and Wyatt Crockett, squaring up. They are often singled out as serial offenders for illegal scrummaging, with Wyatt often accused of boring and Janie for his binding.
It leaves me to wonder, what tactic will win the day, the bore or the bind?
The scrums also provide an enthralling contest across the Tasman, with arguably the two most destructive Wallabies props up against one another in Scott Sio for the Brumbies and Sekope Kepu for the Waratahs.
It should be good viewing and the old boys on the other side in Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander will no doubt engage in a bit of silly buggers between themselves and should provide plenty of entertainment as well.
The lineout will be a key area in both matches. The Sharks love to maul from their lineouts and are usually very effective. Can the Crusaders negate this weapon?
The Brumbies have a very strong lineout and will no doubt look to target the Waratahs in this area after a few wobbles in recent times. Will the Waratahs have cleaned this up in their week off?
Speaking of the week off for the Crusaders and Waratahs, will this turn out to be a positive or negative, particularly for the Waratahs? The Brumbies have hit good form and have had a solid preparation for this match with some tough pressure games, in stark contrast the Waratahs have had some comfortable wins and then a week off.
Could the week off actually be detrimental for the Tahs?
What about the Crusaders? They were hardly in vintage form leading up to the finals, has the week off been a good thing? I guess it would be better than travelling from South Africa to play.
We all know how good the Sharks pack is, but can Patrick Lambie hold the key to unlocking the potential in a talented but stuttering Sharks back line? He is a better first five than Francois Steyn and would provide more punch to the back line, but is he ready to start after such little rugby this year, let alone the pressure cooker of an away Super Rugby semi-final?
Another key match-up will be the battle of the halfbacks, particularly in the Waratahs and Brumbies match with Nic White up against Nick Phipps. White has been the preferred starter for Ewen McKenzie’s recent Wallabies teams, with Phipps occupying the bench. Will this remain the case after Saturday night?
And what of Richie McCaw’s return, named at blindside? I cannot help but feel sorry for Jordan Taufua, who has been in tremendous form this season for the Crusaders. I wonder if this decision has a little bit to do with last year’s semi-final against the Chiefs, where McCaw did not start in a losing effort against the Chiefs.
If he is fit, why not start at openside Mr Blackadder? One thing is for certain, up against a physical Sharks pack his ribs will get a workout!
Tactically, what will each team employ? I can’t see the Waratahs changing anything in their style of play, but will the Brumbies take them head on in open field combat or look to plug the corners and play in tighter? Will they employ such tactics as the maul, which they used to great effect against the Chiefs last weekend?
Will the Crusaders have learnt their lessons from their previous encounter with the Sharks? As my old man use to say, ‘you don’t go through the South Africans, you go around them’, a point made clear in their last meeting and emphasised nicely by the Highlanders last weekend.
Bernard Foley or Matt Toomua? Both of these players are the incumbent 10 and 12 for the Wallabies, however would a top performance from Toomua cause McKenzie a rethink on the possible makeup of his backline for the Rugby Championship?
Likewise Adam Ashley-Cooper up against Tevita Kuridrani. Could this match provide the catalyst for a rethink of Wallaby plans?
Each game seems likely to go down to the wire, so which team has the likely match winner? Will it be Israel Folau with a skilful offload, Henry Speight from a devastating counter attack, Nemani Nadolo with a destructive run or a scorching burst from Tonderai Chavanga that will ultimately separate the teams?
Or perhaps do you see one or both games being a blow out?
Perhaps goal kicking will prove to be the crucial element, with each side possessing quality sharpshooters. Is the form of Christian Lealiifano of concern to Brumbies fans however? Some relatively kickable shots have been missed in recent weeks, can he rediscover his best form?
There are plenty of questions and plenty to speculate over and get excited about for this Saturday night.
How excited are you for this weekend? And if your team is not playing,
who are you supporting? Or is it simply the case of supporting the team from your country?
What are your thoughts Roarers? What questions do you hope to have answered this weekend?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.