Super Rugby’s minor premiers and competition favourites, the Waratahs will host local rivals the Brumbies on saturday night at Allianz stadium in front of an expected full house of 40,000.
The two sides have gone head to head twice in 2014 and on both occasions the home side has prevailed. Despite sharing a win the ‘Tahs appear in superior form having won there last seven in a row of the back of some awesome attack from the likes of Bernard Foley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Alofa Alofa and, of course, Israel Folau
The heavyweights last clashed in Round 17 in NSW, and while the visitors lost 39-8 they were without key their international contingent of Matt Toomua, Sam Carter, Joe Tomane and Pat McCabe. These players, however, are all back in action this weekend and have been pivotal in there last two victories over the Western Force and the Chiefs.
If pride wasn’t enough to play for the two sides also have finals history to motivate them, having met 12 years ago at the exact same ground for an all-Australian semi-final. The Brumbies, however, came away with a convincing 51-10 victory, again denying the Waratahs a championship.
If they are to prevail the Brumbies will need to shut down the potent ‘Tahs attack early on. The side, however, is capable of doings so with the likes of Matt Toomua (arguably the best defending fly half in the world) spearheading on the of the few backlines that can defensively subdue the Waratahs attack
On attack, Henry Speight and Tevita Kurindrani will have the hard job of finding gaps in the ‘Tahs defence and creating line breaks. Speight has been in blistering form in the Super Rugby finals and will look to replicate his decisive running against the Waratahs – if he does, the winger could well be a game-changing factor.
The winner of this game will go on to meet the winner of the second Super Rugby semi-final, which sees the Crusaders and Sharks battle in Christchurch.
These two sides met back in Round 14 where the Sharks again traveled to Christchurch. The visitors however, played the majority of the game with 14 men due to a stomping red card awarded early on.
The Crusaders had a terrific back end of the season winning four of their last five, however the Sharks have struggled with an unfavourable draw that has seen the side travel for majority of the latter part of the 2014 season. Undoubtedly, this will play a factor in the preparation and performance of the Durban side.
Jake White’s men will continue to play for penalties from set piece dominance and rely heavily on there sharpshooters to build up there score, as the did so effectively against the Highlanders in the previous qualifying finals Round.
The Crusaders have a strong attacking backline that will be directed by the dual international halves combination of Slade and Carter, out wide Nadolo, Dagg and Crotty will look to find space. The Crusaders forward back, that features 2013 player of the year Kieran Read, will look to subdue the rampaging Sharks set piece.
Crusaders and All Blacks’ talisman Richie McCaw returns to the side, which will give the home team a boost both mentally and physically.
Despite a gutsy performance against the Highlanders the New Zealand side is well favoured to triumph this weekend.
The semi-finals kick off at 5:30pm (AEST) with the Crusaders and the Sharks, with the second match following directly after at 7:40pm (AEST).
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