Despite being two of the better teams all year, it never felt obvious that the best two teams last year would meet in the Super Rugby final in 2016.
Now, after appearing in opposite sides of the semi-final bracket, the Hurricanes and Highlanders have a chance to qualify again, and throw down in a repeat of their epic 2015 Super Rugby final.
With an elongated season, it feels like the playoffs are here and gone in the blink of an eye. All of a sudden there are only three more matches left in 2016, before we have to wait for six months to see these teams again.
One of the good things about the NBA playoffs, or MLB, is that you get to savour the best teams in longer series against each other. The epic seven-game series between Warriors and the Thunder, then the Cavs, were the lingering reward for a season that included too many Philadelphia 76ers versus Orlando Magic matches.
A longer Super Rugby season means we had more dismal Force, Reds and Kings matches drilled into our corneas than we’d otherwise want to see.
But the finals are still only seven matches long. Here and then gone.
What we can say about the semifinals is we have the four correct teams playing on the penultimate weekend.
Despite the lopsided draw, weird conference alignments and much gnashing of teeth, the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Lions and Highlanders are the best four teams in the competition this year. Of the rest, only the Crusaders had a claim to belonging in that company, but they were comprehensively beaten by the Lions last weekend.
Last year’s final has lingered on in my mind, as it has for many others. And the prospect of the Hurricanes and Highlanders both advancing to resume their series is a tantalising one.
The Highlanders have the tougher task of the two – travelling to South Africa is never easy and they’ll come up against a buoyant opponent in Johannesburg.
Last week the Lions proved they belonged at the top of the log and defended their home turf superbly against the Crusaders.
The Lions fast start meant the Crusaders were behind the game early, which is a hard position to come back from away from home.
Then the Lions adapted to the lead and changed their style to suit – kicking the ball long and keeping it in the field of play. This tactic ensured the Crusaders had to come the length of the field more often than not and reduced the number of set pieces in the game, taking one of their strengths away.
Before the game I said Elton Jantjies was a candidate for melting under pressure because I’d seen it happen on other occasions. Against the Crusaders he showed he was ready for the stage and was calm under pressure while sticking to the game plan for the most part. I’ll cop to being wrong about him.
This year he has been one of the better fly halves in the competition and I should have given him that benefit of the doubt before last week.
Besides Jantjies and Faf de Klerk the Lions team are populated by typically large South African units. They are a quick, attacking team, but they don’t give a whole lot of size away to achieve that.
The Lions have beaten the Chiefs and Crusaders this year, including that quarter final victory. So they know how to adapt their style to suit the Kiwi teams. Unlike basically everyone else this year.
However, in their earlier meeting this year, the Highlanders beat the Lions to the tune of 34-15 in Dunedin. While I don’t think the margin will be that wide on the weekend I think the result will be the same.
I’ll admit a small part of me rooting for the grand final rematch shines through in that prediction. But the Highlanders are a different proposition right now.
Two weeks ago the Highlanders beat the Chiefs in what might have been the game of the Super Rugby season. And while they were run close by the Brumbies last week, unless the rain comes down in a similar manner in Johannesburg I don’t see the game being played in the same way.
The Highlanders have the legs to match the Lions’ speed and counter-attacking game, and the likes of Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Lima Sopoaga will be able to blunt the Lions’ tactical adjustments should they be used again.
I also have more faith that the Highlanders will make more tackles than the Crusaders without starting to miss some.
So, will the Hurricanes be waiting for the Highlanders?
I think so, given how they played last week. After that performance, even without home field advantage through the finals, the Hurricanes have to be favourites to win it all. Which means they should beat the Chiefs.
What the Chiefs produced last week in Cape Town was magnificent. It was a tour de force of away rugby power. They blitzed the Stormers, absorbed their one flurry of return fire and just ran away with the match like me once I get my hands on a good cheesecake.
Obviously the forwards must take a lot of the credit for such a lopsided score line in any rugby match, especially one where some of the overall statistics – runs, run metres, possession – don’t tilt far in the winner’s favour, if at all.
But I’d just like to take a minute and reflect on the absurd depth the Chiefs have at halfback.
Last week I said the Chiefs would be able to arrest any backward momentum they encountered against the Stormers because of their fly half Aaron Cruden and the fighting-down the guts nature of their usual starting halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow.
But the Chiefs started with Brad Weber and it worked a treat. Kerr Barlow has a combative and direct nature to his game. In this instance Weber’s quick decision-making, early and accurate pass, plus alert support lines were exactly what the Chiefs needed. He pulled the strings beautifully in tandem with Cruden as the Chiefs cranked the speed and pressure up to ten right from the start.
Kerr Barlow came on later and continued the festival of rugby superbly. Both halfbacks scored a try as well.
The Chiefs one-two punch at nine has to be the best in the competition.
The weather the Hurricanes played in against the Sharks last weekend was horrendous. And they calmly went about playing as if it was a balmy evening.
As any good finals team would, they set up their game around a stout defence. Then if they wanted to run the ball, they did. If they wanted to kick for the line, they did. If they wanted to keep it tight and hold onto possession, they did. If they wanted to kick and contest the catch, they did.
All the while rain was coming down on wind blowing from every corner of the compass.
Magnificent.
A mitigating factor is the loss of Dane Coles for the Canes – or at the very least a less effective Coles. While the Chiefs are confident Sam Cane will play and get at least Seti Tamanivalu back, if not Michael Leitch as well.
Earlier this year the Chiefs snuck home 28-27 in this round robin clash. So we should be looking at a close one. Perhaps a classic.
After a second week on the road, I think it’ll be a bridge too far for the Chiefs, who are coming up against a home team hitting their straps.
Bring on the grand final re-match.
The counter-argument to everything I’ve said so far is to consider my three-from-three record in last week’s predictions, admit that was too good to be true and wait for me to fall on my face this week.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Kirky... 'a fit of pique mate'. Struth... the eye can now see! The brain appears in gear. And the poetic nature of a NZ born begins... although it's deeply rooted in QLD. C'arn da Tahs... oops!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
A fit of pique mate, but to be perfectly honest as much as I would love the Highlanders to take this out, I just know that come what may it's going to be one helluva' game so may the best team win!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Lions should spoil the Highlanders party you reckon, ~ dreaming mate, the Highlanders are far and away the better side on performance record etc having had a tough lead up to this game and to be perfectly honest the Lions who've had an engineered draw, have played no other team of much consequence and they've barely moved out of their own patch all Season therefore are very lucky to be there today, so make no mistake the Highlanders are aware of these Lion pretenders and the organised easy route that has taken them to this game, they know how to do this ~ the boys from the Deep South are on a mission and I could have egg on my face as may a lot of my Bros' in New Zealand, but I don't think so!
Machooka
Roar Guru
Well, well would you take a looka here eh Kirky... welcome back buddy! Fantastic to see :) that you've finally done something about that one eye of yours. We might even get some sense oughta you now? Good luck with your H'landers... but as I've said to Muzzo I wouldn't be surprised to see :) that the Lions throw a leg over you. Regardless, we've all got some cracking games this w'end... and as it's like loser go home stuff it only makes it all the more interesting. Look after your toys old man... as they're too precious to be throwing about. :))
Clark
Guest
As long a a guy called Aaron Smith still exists, there won't be another Abs number 9 for a very very long time. So I guess your touting Pulu as the next potential ABs number 21
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Gidday Kirky, Yep Buddy it's great to see you back, & hopefully your eye surgery is well & truly over,& fully rectified. No doubt Chook, will have an input, when he see's your post, So mate, myself being a Landers fan, through & through, I myself, am of the opinion, that Jamie Joseph, & back up staff, will have these lads ready to fire, after their, somewhat, disappointing contest, in the wet in Canberra. As it is Jamie's not giving to much away, as to what he has said in the media. Fully agree, with you regarding neutral Ref's, not only for this stage of the finals, but hopefully, in the future, for all of the final series. Go the Landers.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Hi there Muzzo and Chook, ~ Couldn't resist jumping out of my pram and putting my toys back in , ~ let's say I missed you guys and others too much and I have had massive surgery on my scungy eyes so I can see this keyboard a helluva' lot better than I have done for years! Anyway Muzz' I'm confidently with you in going for those Tainui territory boys ~ the Highlanders. Travel I doubt will be a factor as these guys are really up for this game against the Lions make no mistake as they are very aware of the unfairness of the travelling schedule having to do major mileage to get where they are whereby the Lions have been nowhere and played no one retrospectively, so be assured as you seemingly are, those Southern boys are really after those Lions and for the Lions to win they will have to play the game of their lives. To top it off, they are the playing through Champs and there's nothing they'd like to do more than win it against the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin, ( once again, no disrespect to the boys from Waikato) but I think they played their game last week! Just look at the respective matchups in both the Highlanders and Lions sides and you'll have to admit there is some wonderful talent in both, but in experience and rugby nous you'd have to admit that the Deep South boys have it in spades, there are as we all know, some of the very best in players in the game of rugby anywhere in the World in their respective possies' in this Highlanders side so, the Lions just ignore this good side at their peril, ~ they are not the Crusaders. They also have one of the best Coaches and backup to burn so, the only thing that concerns me is Mr Joubert as Referee as he made some glaring cock ups in the Crusaders game, let's hope he's watched a video replay! Should it not be a neutral Ref? Well that's my theory but in reality how the hell do we know anyway! Carn' the Highlanders!
ebop
Guest
Haha, did he? That's incredible. Miracles have happened for both teams then.
ben
Guest
Like i said...hope the chiefs wana scrum this time seeing as Fisiihoi can only play one side of the scrum..... Tell you what was a fluke...3 weeks later he could play both sides!
ebop
Guest
Yeah man, mega fluke. Winning lotto levels of flukiness. You don't reckon it was a fluke the Canes came top? Suits me they did. They're favourites on the back of a lucky final weekend of results and a couple of good showings. Canes having the favourites tag is a great situation for the Chiefs. Keep an eye on the banana skin underneath the carpet underneath the foot though. It's gonna be a cracker game as most NZ derbies have been this year. Can't wait!
ben
Guest
Fluked ya reckon? Hope the Chiefs wana play scrums this time. Wana see Loni Uhila The Tongan bear take apart The Tongan donkey... Fisi eeeeeeee hoi.
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
Sympathy is running with the Highlanders, because neither the Hurricanes nor the Lions have done the miles. But I do agree South African rugby could do with some positive news for a change.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True Phillip, but they had a similar lead up to the final last year, but not so many miles under the belt. Jamie is very confident of the team doing the job, so in that regard, I'll leave it at that.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Chook, we are all entitled to an opinion, so good luck with yours Buddy....... The Landers, if you remember, had a similar lead up to the final last year, virtually playing all their games away. Most of the players, have from memory, played at Ellis Park, so I'm not too worried about that aspect. It didn't affect me when I was there. lol. The biggest issue, could be the pace of the game, in which in the round robin encounter in Dunedin, the Lion's had a little difficulty, in handling. I realise they are a far improved team now, so this encounter, should be a massive one. Here's hoping for a dry track. Go the Landers.
DanFan
Guest
Yes it is sad that the Chiefs are not getting much love but I think the Hurricanes have captured a lot of fans with their play this year. Players like Ardie Savea, the Tongan Bear and of course bodacious Beauden Barrett have made quite an impression.
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
How bout we give the Lions and Canes a shot. Canes win then Nz are the 1st to have all 5 franchises win a title. Lions win it would have been epic rugby winning in NZ and even more epic for SA rugby and Super Rugby.
Machooka
Roar Guru
HelloKiwi?
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf De Klerk, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith. Replacements: 16 Armand Van Der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques Van Rooyen, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Steph de Wit, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco Van Der Walt Warren Whiteley was ruled out with a calf injury he sustained in the quarter-final against the Crusaders. Jaco Kriel will take over the captaincy. Ross Cronjé has not recovered from a contusion injury and his place on the bench is taken by Dillon Smit. Whiteley and Cronje should be back for the final :)
John
Guest
Sanzar had problems getting enough neutral referees as only Angus Gardner from Aussie up to standard
Phillip
Guest
Mmm, I think the travel effect's being underestimated in the second match. The 'Landers have gone NZ-SA-Arg-NZ-Australia the last few weeks and now back to Johannesburg. That's an awesome number of air-miles across time-zones. Up against a game and fresh Lions team, it's a helluva ask.