So there it is then – after all those weeks of clubs from around the southern hemisphere (and Japan!) beating seven shades out of each other we have our two grand finalists – the Lions from the South African conference and the Crusaders from the New Zealand conference.
This weekend saw two very entertaining semi finals and while the top two sides on the ladder at the end of the regular season have made the final, that doesn’t mean that there’s still not lots to talk about. So let’s get to it…
Kwagga Smith – don’t underestimate the little man
Huge ears and a first name that makes him sound like a marsupial from Western Australia, but damn this guy can play.
His small size might leave many to assume that he’s all about pace and not power but soon after that assumption he’ll have knocked you on your arse and you’ll be watching him score another try.
He grabbed two against the Tahs with one of them coming after he’d shrugged after four defenders from the Sydney siders.
He’ll relish the chance to go up against the Crusaders, even more so after his unfortunate exit from last year’s final under an early red card.
If he has another big game then the Lions are one step closer to toppling the favourites. Speaking of Lions who need to have big games…
(CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP/Getty Images)
This is Elton Jantjies (last?) chance
The Lions No.10 has infamously struggled at the international level and many are frustrated that he’s never been able to reproduce his Super Rugby form on the biggest stage of all.
In the past few games he’s played very well for the Lions bringing a sense of control to his obvious attacking talents.
After his most recent weak performance for the Boks, he might struggle to get much more time on the international scene. So winning the Super Rugby title is going to be crucial in terms of his legacy.
There have been some who feel that he only performs well off the back of a dominant pack and can go missing in the really tough games.
There will be no better test of whether this is true than a final, against the Crusaders, in Christchurch.
Will Steve Hansen rethink Beauden’s starting position?
The Canes vs Crusaders game was billed as the best of the best going head to head. So many tasty match ups and none more so than Beauden Barrett vs Richie Mo’unga.
As many suspected, it was the Crusaders No.10 who came off looking best and to be fair, he did so by a country mile. He was in great form against the Canes and dominated the game and Barrett.
Yes Barrett was playing behind a pack that was coming off second best, but surely the best of the best are able to make something happen in the toughest of situations?
Barrett has not had the year that he would have hoped for – he’s definitely not failed by any means but he hasn’t been as all-conquering as previous years.
On the other hand Mo’unga has been in career-best form.
With the Rugby Championship just around the corner, will Steven Hansen reward Mo’unga with some starting opportunities in the famous No.10 All Blacks jersey?
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Three reasons why the Tahs are their own worst enemies
There’s a lot to like about the Tahs but in three ways they showed in the game against the Lions that their biggest problem is themselves…
1) Defence
No team that made the finals conceded more points during the regular season than the Tahs and during the finals, the Tahs conceded almost 70 points in two games.
Now the fact that the Tahs were able to do this and still make the semi-finals is impressive but it does tell you a lot about why they were always going to struggle in knockout rugby against the top teams.
Throughout the finals there were examples where both from an execution point of view and an organisational point of view the Tahs were really all over the place.
On the flip side no team scored more points than the Sydneysiders. If they can improve their defensive performances in 2019 then they could be a real threat for the title.
2) Discipline
As well as defensive weaknesses, the Tahs need to sort out their discipline. 29 penalty goals conceded this season and 183 penalties conceded is one of the worst records in the competition. Against the Lions they gave 15 penalties, 2 free kicks and had a man sent to the bin.
That sort of record is just going to make things so much harder for any side and against the Lions it meant they had to try and score more and more points when they were gasping for air at altitude. Finals rugby is hard enough but giving away possession, territory and points so often makes it a lot harder.
3) Commitment
Of course the Tahs wanted to win and there’s no doubt that they worked hard even when things were going against them.
However there were key moments where they just slacked off and it cost them dearly.
One prime example is in 25th minute. The Tahs had scored twice and the Lions once. The game was tight and the next score was going to be an important one.
The Tahs kicked ahead and in the next few seconds fans got to see one of the individual tries of the entire season from Aphiwe Dyantyi.
But the point is that when he gathered the bouncing ball from the Tahs kick there was not a single blue shirt anywhere within 25m to 30m of him. He had time to look up, asses the situation, get up some speed and plan his perfectly executed chip ahead.
They didn’t lose the game because of that moment but they did lose a good lead because of letting in that try and that gave the home side confidence after being torn to shreds in the opening 15 minutes.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Lions can’t start slow next week
One of the most impressive things about the Lions performance today was that they were 14-0 down after 10 minutes and then won the next 70 minutes 44-12.
The Tahs have leaked points all season long so giving them such a lead isn’t necessarily a death sentence. Giving the Crusaders a two try lead is something entirely different.
The Lions started slowly against the Tahs and they started slowly against the Jaguares in the quarters as well.
In both matches they used their own skill and their fitness at altitude to overcome their opponents as they desperately tried to suck in oxygen.
They need to figure out what it’s going to take to switch on from that first whistle and get into the game from that first contact.
Otherwise they are going to be trying to chase down the best side in the competition and no one has done that recently.
Anyone else scared of Malcolm Marx?
This guy is incredible. His performances this year have marked him out as one of the very best hookers in the world and he is worth his muscular weight in gold.
In the tight and the loose he is so impressive but it doesn’t stop there. Against the Tahs he was a regular threat at the breakdown.
He’s like Pocock – if he can get himself set and his hands on the ball there is nothing the opposition can do to move him.
It’s going to be exciting to see him run out in the Rugby Championship especially his battles against the Kiwis where he’ll be wanting to stamp his authority.
The final against the Crusaders will be an early taster of what August will bring and if Marx can have another big game along with the likes of Smith and Jantjies then maybe, just maybe the title will be Johannesburg bound.
(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Oh, and can anyone figure out how to beat the Crusaders?
So used to performances like the one against the Canes are we that it’s easy to forget to mention the Crusaders.
But they deserve a mention for sure after making one of the best sides in Super Rugby look average and lost.
The way in which the lads from Christchurch broke the Canes down piece by piece until all that was left was some yellow shirts “tumble weeding” their way across AMI Stadium was incredible to watch.
There have been some who have called it all a bit boring but if you watched the way they played on Saturday evening and think it’s boring then you are lost and you need to have a long hard think about yourself.
The way they seem so comfortable defending on their line, almost serene in the belief that not only won’t they let the opposition in but that there’s a decent chance of a counter attack is mind blowing.
Let’s hope that the Lions bring their very best to the Final because we all want a fantastic match to wrap up the season.
Fionn
Guest
His line out throwing had improved immensely by the second half of the internationals last year. You also have to consider the fact that everyone was out of form under Coetzee for large parts of the last few years.
Highlander
Guest
Excels at the lineout - I think not Wonderful footballer but lets not guild the lilly, has been a train wreck at intl level with throwing
jacko
Guest
i find Mauls an area of rugby where you cannot contest the ball.......needs to go
Jacko
Guest
Thugby...hard to argue much of what you say.....I remember a bloke called LOMU who was not the best rugby player but could do things no one else could....Thats BB and Dmac....they are not your traditional 10s if we are looking at guys like DC, Cruden etc but they can do stuff that rips the heart out of the opposition......It all comes down to what they do when not ripping sides apart....To me Cruden was the complete 10.....had the control and had the genius......Dmac can develop above where he is and Mounga can also develop from where he is...so all good for the ABs
Jacko
Guest
Yeah Foley is a bit of an enigma to me...He looks better the better his forwards go...Like most 10s i guess...but he lets you down at times and if you look at the SR season and the Ireland series, he had chances to do better than he does...His lack of accuracy in place kicks has cost the Tahs a couple of wins this year alone and he failed at that in the June internationals.....Then he comes out and plays great in the Highlanders game. and had a reasonable game against the Lions...Aus certainly need some other options even if its just to put some pressure on Foley to get things right.....I have seen him have some very good games so I know its there......we just need to see it more often and more consistantly......Yeah he would be better than the current Blues 10s but Oterre Black has yet to be seen.....Highlanders might want him too with Sopounga moving on as i am not convinced Gatland is the answer but Ioane looks good from the bit we have seen of him
Fionn
Guest
I actually think that Marx runs the ball as well as most international number 8s. Honestly, Jacko, I see the hooker's responsibility as throwing into the line out, being a strong scrummager, being a fourth loosie around the park and dominating the breakdown. Marx is the only guy who excels at all of those things. For a long, long time I thought Marx was the best front row forward in the entire professional era, but I think that Marx has probably overtaken him. In that match vs the All Blacks in Cape Town last year almost won them the match, largely singlehandedly such was his dominance.
Jacko
Guest
Agree about the turnovers but thats not the traditional role for a hooker so the seagulling on the wing etc wont be getting done. i want to see more of his running game before judging him as a hooker but he is doing damn fine at this point and i cant think of any other hookers who would be rated above him at the moment...i think he would probably make a decent loose forward
Just Nuisance
Guest
A good bet to take would be a wager on the Lions winning the comp. You will get great odds and before everyone says I am going daft my thoughts are that the Crusaders have been so ahead of all teams this year based mainly on their fantastic ( almost All Black ) pack. The Lions in Kwagga Smith , Marx , Mostert , Whiteley etc. may just have enough to create a bit of doubt in The Crusaders minds . This will create a situation for them that they are pretty unfamiliar with.
Utah
Guest
Open sides get nominated every year, and Marx has many of the attributes of a great openside. His number of pilfers this year says he certainly can influence a game enough to be considered.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Its possible (though unlikely) that the Lions pack can stay on par or even dominate the Crusaders pack, but the Crusaders have way too many smarts and toughness in the 9-10-12-13-15 areas. All of these blokes tackle hard, know their way around breakdowns and are ruthless in attack. Add they have two very competent wingers. R.Mo'unga, R.Crotty and J.Donahue should be renamed "The Great Wall of Canterbury", its a blue moon when someone gets past that midfield wall. Now look at the Lions, "shaky" Elton, leaky centres and wingers who don't tackle. In the June tests, most of that backline were leaking wide tries to England, enough said! As DiggerSaders would say "Crusaders by Plenty". :)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Hi Paulo, but fullbacks don't sit behind 7 fat blokes shepherding the opposition away from the ball while the whole melee moves forward. There was one SR comp (maybe 2013) where TPN scored almost as many tries for the Tahs as I.Folau. As with Marx, most of TPN's tries were as the protected specie holding the ball at the back of a very good maul. Does that mean TPN is as good an attacking backline player as Izzy or as good a hooker as Marx? Or can one turn that stat around and declare Folau is as good a hooker as Marx and TPN? :) But agreed with your hyperbole, wouldn't it be fabulous to see Marx score 7 tries from mauls in the final? NZ would scream and shout and finally WR/IRB would do something about mauls. For my money, once the ball is passed back, the contest for the ball is gone and the maul becomes obstruction and must stop. A maul should only be allowed to move forward if the ball is in the hands of a player in direct contact with opposing players. Thoughts?
Wyn
Guest
Haha - Kwagga - huge ears and a name that sounds like a west Aus marsupial! Kwagga is possibly called Kwagga because he looks a bit like a Kwagga and if he were to wear a black and white striped jersey it would be even more convincing. Kwagga is the Afrikaans name for Equus quagga quagga, an extinct subspecies of plains zebra that lived in South Africa until becoming extinct late in the 19th century. Wikipedia
Joseph
Guest
Not gonna happen this year Chook.. or the next.. Tahs were useless at the breakdown and up front. Hell, the Lions looked this hot last year and played the final on their own turf Ellis Park (altitude) and got creamed by the (travelling schedule) Saders to win ny 30am
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Sylvester da Cat, Pete the Pistol,Danny Boy and Wacko Jacko, one cannot write off BBBB, a World player of the Year who has been an incredible player over the years however ................ Similar to here in another blog (a newpaper) someone thought that on his current form R.Mu'onga should start a test in the RC. This was my reply: "Dead right there Polish, Richie Mo'unga is a proper 5/8 who directs his backline, similar to A.Cruden. His game this year has improved to stratospheric heights. Barrett and DMac are fabulous players but don't really direct the play so much as rip teams apart when/if the opportunity comes. BBBB has been off his game for most of the year, I suspect his nasty fall and concussion in the 2nd French test is still affecting him. I hope not but Bernie Foley had to take 3 months off footy last year to get over his head knock and even then it took him another couple of months to get his game back. Head knocks are serious, even Kiwi commentators are worried about how much longer Ryan Crotty will last. A shame as I think Crotty was one of the world's best backline players for the last 5 years (and I am an Ozzie). My view would be give B.Barrett a rest for the whole Rugby Championship and play Mo'unga and DMac at 5/8, perhaps taking turns at starting against each opponent. So Mo'unga starts against Aus, SA and Arg then DMac starts against each side in the return fixtures. At the end of the day the coaches will have a better idea who fits into their plans and the team and B.Barrett gets a rest." All comments accepted, even if you think I need a HIA. :)
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, he might bridge the gap. Or is he a bridge too far, or perhaps a bridge over troubled waters? By George!! Go get that Contract Bridge! Tally ho!
Fionn
Guest
But if Shag had his time again I wonder whether he would have tried to get 10. Cruden, 15. Barrett? I suspect that he might have.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Bit pointless an argument to compare the current and last two times world player of the year to a non test player who happens to be at 10 for the best non test side in the professional game and behind probably the best current pack. Its also a huge assumption that Mouaga will play as well at test level. Mouaga is only now firming up the thinking hes seriously test ten start quailty and then even if he is if Barrett goes back to wielding his magic behind the AB pack what then? Its back to Cruden vs Barrett and we know who won there and theres novway Mouaga is yet the 10 Cruden was.
Fionn
Guest
Jacko, I must say that I did feel a lot better when I started seeing Mark Ella calling for him to be dropped, and recognising a lot of the limitations in his game that I have seen. I was starting to think I was crazy from the amount of journalists singing his praises. I think he's playing better than he was in 2016-17, and has massively improved his kicking, but I do wonder whether he would start for any of the New Zealand teams this year? Maybe the Blues?
Ralph
Roar Guru
It's pretty late in the World Cup cycle for bringing anyone on at a position like 10.
Ralph
Roar Guru
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