It was a great weekend of rugby, and especially good to again see the New Zealand sides play in an attacking and positive manner.
They really have been the benchmark all season.
The Crusaders let themselves down in their semi-final by not going away from their traditional style of rugby. Sometimes you’ve got to change a few things to get up in those close games.
This was relevant for the Chiefs in the way they defended. The input that Wayne Smith had on the Chiefs game plan assisted in upsetting the Crusaders’ attack.
He coached the Crusaders a few years back, so had great insight into how to upset their game plan.
Although they dominated the game with strong defense for the first 40-50 minutes and really got up in the face of the Crusaders’ players, they also dominated the attack.
The Crusaders are a good team, but they weren’t able to play their usual style. And with Sonny Bill Williams playing against his old team, they didn’t have the same explosive power they enjoyed when he was there.
Robbie Fruean, when placed under pressure, often struggles, which is why he isn’t in the All Blacks team. Sometimes he thinks he can do it all.
The others were solid, but not threatening enough with the ball. Carter needed runners to help with their attack.
But still, the style and the quickness of the game in general was unbelievable. It was very different from the way the Australian teams have been playing, but it was how I would love to see them play.
Back on South African soil, the Stormers came up short when their defence-dominated style failed to make an impact.
The Sharks, who love to attack, showed that the best form of defence is attack – the proof in the pudding that defensive rugby can only take a side so far.
It was good to see attack win again.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Sharks handle the Chiefs in the final. Both teams have very different styles, and the turnaround time is short, not giving the Sharks much time to get ready specifically for this match.
I remember the final last year when the Crusaders had to travel every second week.
The Sharks will also be hampered somewhat in their preparation by the travel involved as well as a few injuries.
Regardless, the Super Rugby final will be a fascinating game and one much anticipated by rugby followers everywhere.
As long as the Sharks remember that defence won’t win you everything, they’ll be competitive. And they will need to score some tries to get up against the aggressive Chiefs side.
I’ll be especially interested to see what impact the referee has on the match.
There have been lots of problems over the past few weeks or so with the TMOs and questionable on-the-ground decisions.
And, of course, refereeing is very much in the news right now in the wake of Graham Henry’s controversial claims about Wayne Barnes and his officiating in the 2007 RWC. It’s all quite unbelievable, even though it’s actually not that hard to believe.
Is it just coincidence that after that World Cup final between New Zealand and France, Barnes mysteriously went missing for about 6 months?
Back to the Super Rugby final, it’s going to be tough challenge for the Sharks, but on the day, anything is possible. Let’s hope like the Brumbies and Stormers, they don’t waste all their hard work by letting themselves down in the last game of the tournament.
Hopefully, we’ll see two teams with some great individuals playing attacking rugby. What a great way to watch the last game of Super 15.
Let’s sit back and enjoy what should be a sensational game.
atlas
Guest
so many people I've communicated on this are neutral, it's not NZ v SA, whoever wins will not impact on the Rugby Championship outcome, I don't think there is a psychological advantage to be gained here for the test series; Chiefs fans are pleased to have got this far - maybe don't have the 'attitude' of the big-name sides - most are hoping for a good game of rugby, as I am.
atlas
Guest
Perth? disregard for the fans who've supported their team all season. That one would never work.
mania
Guest
cm - why should perth get all the revenue?
cm
Guest
What if Perth were the permanent fixture for ALL Super Finals? A bit like the MCG, always host to the last game of each season, with home and away semis up to then. Perth is reasonably distance-neutral and it might also give the locals maximum motivation to qualify for a final under those rules. :-)
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Fair point, as fans we want the final to be a good contest. All coaches know the value and importance of finishing in the top two positions because of home ground advantage and the disadvantages of travel.
SkinnyKid
Guest
Good article Campo. Like you I can barely watch Australian super rugby these days. No attack and no toughness....its almost like the players are going through the motions until the international season. Best two teams in the finals if you ask me. Like DC of nz says above. The Sharks have many people as their back up team just because they are so hard at it. Campo, see in you in Singapore in a few weeks. Myself and another roar regular (jenznez) will get you out on the town.
cowboy
Guest
no nz team has won when a sth african team has hosted final and vice versa Crusaders winning in canberra is not the same or close to sharks mission ,will walsh be up to not favouring home side ?,hes alot better than he was though
DC of nz
Guest
The Shorks have won a lot of fans in Australia and NZ and deservedly so especially after Kankowski and co bullied the Reds at Suncorp and played brilliant link rugby to dispose of Queensland... They play a terrific style of rugby. Of course the Kiwi fans want to see the Chiefs win a title but if the Durban lads win this they will deserve all the plaudits ....
chris
Guest
Straight through the gate, good play. Sincerely Stormer Supporter
AWCMONREF
Guest
Awcmon Campo your always talking up Kiwi Rugby are you a Kiwi at heart I promise I won't tell a soul(lol) agree should be a fantastic final backing the Chiefs but will agree with Emric if the Sharks win they will be TRUE CHAMPIONS!!!!!
AussieKiwi
Guest
Yes the higher placed team should have some advantage, fair enough, but in my opinion the advantage is too great here. Nobody benefits, least of all the game, if the challenger is so knackered from the travel that there is no real contest.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The Crusaders traveled more distance in that season then any team in the history of the Super 15 ever has and ever will. I don't see how the Sharks wining could have been more amazing then if the Crusaders would have done so.
reds
Guest
I hope we dont see sharks camped on chiefs line for 60 minutes and walsh misses 40 penaltys
reds
Guest
Im going for sharks they have played best rugby lately Steve walsh could be big factor hope hes not
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Don't believe the travel factor is overstated. Only one team has ever won a final on foreign soil in the history of this competition and that trip was only as far from Christchurch to Canberra. When the Bulls hosted their finals, everyone knew no team travelling from NZ or Australia had a chance against them and that was in the old format before conferences and extended playoffs. Crossing the Indian Ocean four times in three consecutive weeks and beating all 3 conference winners in the process to win a title will be an even more amazing accomplishment than if the Crusaders won the final last year after playing no home games.
allblackfan
Guest
According to NZRU, 447,500 people tuned into the CHiefs-Crusaders game (almost the combined pop of Christchurch and Hamilton), breaking old record set in 2005. All going well, that TV ratings record should fall again this Saturday! GO THE CHIEFS!!
If the sharks make a fist of this regardless of the travel then this will be a cracking game withboth teams able to bring it in attack, the Sharks are the only South African team bar perhaps the Cheetahs that has offloading capability on par with New Zealand teams, both have solid forwards and very strong defences. However if the travel factor takes its toll the Sharks must lead by half time to have any chance of winning this, they have shown their ability to start quickly but have also had that match against the Lions where they looked uninterested for the first 40 and got royally thumped before coming into the game, which by then it was too late. The biggest unknown here is not the performance of the two teams, but what effect travel will have on the outcome of this game.
Wal The Hooker
Guest
It's going to brutal! Don't believe the Chiefs will be taking note of the media and fans in NZ, they haven't won anything yet. This is a very good Sharks team big mobile forwards, strong scrum and lineout plus a back line who likes to run the ball. The way the shut the Stormers out last week was clinical, I just never saw them losing. The Chiefs will have taken note, and for mine that first 20 minutes will show us who may win this game. The Chiefs came out of the blocks against the Saders last week like a tornado, don't think the Saders really settled after that. If they can get a handy lead in the first 40 I don't think they'll let the game go as will the Sharks. Both teams have that extra physical edge in the past week or so and whoever can carry on will take it. Buckle up gents here's to good a game, Go the Chiefs
Colin
Guest
Agree. I am a Sharks supporter but the reality is they have nobody but themselves to blame for the predicament and I think the travel factor is possibly overstated. They can win anyway if they are good enough on the night.
Colin
Guest
Who're you picking to win it CAMPO?