Super Rugby Final Preview

Super Rugby Final Preview

The 2018 Super Rugby Final is a historic one, it will be the first time that the same teams are playing against each other in successive finals.

Last year, the Crusaders did what was deemed to be the impossible by crossing the Indian Ocean to defeat the Johannesburg franchise 25-17 at Ellis Park to win the big southern hemisphere prize for the eighth time.

This year the Lions will be hoping it is third time lucky as they travel to Christchurch and will have to one-up the Crusader's effort of last year and end the Crusader's 20-game unbeaten run in Super Rugby playoffs

Road to the Final


Form

Both teams were convincing in the playoffs with the Crusaders beating the Sharks 40-10 in their quarterfinal and taking out the Hurricanes 30-12 in last week’s semifinal. The Lions beat the Jaguares 40-23 and the Waratahs 44-26. The Saders have won 14 games in a row, however, they will face a determined Lions team who will be confident of pulling off a shock on the South Island of New Zealand.


 

Team news:

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson made just one injury-enforced change to his starting team for the big occasion. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has replaced Jordan Taufua, who broke his arm in last weekends' semifinal, the No 6 jersey. On the bench hooker, Seb Siataga fractured his arm and has been replaced by Sam Anderson-Heather. Meanwhile, Robertson made the decision to leave Crusaders legend Wyatt Crockett out of the matchday 23, a decision which he said was the toughest one he has had to make during his coaching career.

 

Interestingly, 19 players of their match-23 for Saturday’s game were also involved in the Crusaders’ 2017 final win over the Highvelders.

Swys De Bruin has made two changes to his starting line-up for the final. Cyle Brink, who missed last week’s semi-final triumph over the Waratahs due to an arm injury, returns at flank while Lourens Erasmus moves to the bench. Springbok flyer Courtnall Skosan will start on the left wing and fellow Bok Aphiwe Dyantyi, who left the field against the Waratahs with a hamstring injury, will now play off the bench.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (capt), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody. 
Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather/Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrink, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Reserves: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Howard Mnisi 

Qucik Stats:

- The Lions have scored 87 tries this season, more than any other team in the competition but just one more than the Crusaders (86)

- Franco Mostert has made the most tackles for his side making 214 in 18 matches missing 36.

- Matt Todd has made the most for the Crusaders making 179 in 16 games, with 18 missed tackles

- George Bridge needs one try to equal Ben Lam's record of 16 tries in a single Super Rugby season, while Malcolm Marx has scored more than any other forward this season (11)

- The Crusaders have won their last 14 games in a row, the last time they won more was a 16-game streak from April 2005 to April 2006

 


Head to Head Battles

Taylor v Marx

There are a number of key head to head battles this weekend that could decide the match but the thought of two of the best and inform hookers in World Rugby going head to head is truly mouther-watering. 

Both players have been in fantastic form throughout the season providing their side with a solid platform to attack from at set pieces.

One of Marx's biggest weapons, however, is at the breakdown where only Kwagga Smith has made more turnovers. 

Again both players are good with the ball in hand and will be a nightmare to defend against. 

Mo'unga v Jantjies

Both first fives have been in sensational form this season guiding their respective sides to the final. 

Mo'unga's form has been so impressive that a number of pundits are calling for him to start in the All Blacks 10 jersey during the Rugby Championship, while Jantjies has been undroppable playing every single minute for the Lions this season. 

Both players are major attacking threats for their respective sides and both players have been given the freedom to take risks on attack that have paid off througout the season. 



Whitelock v Mostert 

One of the most important battles between these two test locks will be at lineout time with Whitelock getting the better of Mostert in last year's final making it incredibly difficult for the Lions to attack. 

Both side's head into the encounter with impressive stats at lineout and scrum time. With All Black coach Steve Hansen saying that there is not much separating the two sides in the set pieces.

The two locks will also taking a big role when it comes to the leadership of the side with Whitelock captaining his side while Mostert captained the Lions in Whiteley's absence. 

Read v Whiteley

Two test captains go head-to-head in the no.8 jerseys. Both players have similar approaches to the game making it incredibly difficult to predict who will come out on top.

Both players are great attacking players that link up well with their fellow teammates and will whatever is required of them on defence.

In this Article

Latest News