Super Rugby Round 17 Preview Part 1
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The penultimate round of Super Rugby sees the battle for spots among the top six qualifiers intensify, with the big prize being that of skipping the first playoff round by earning a home semi-final as one of the top two conference winners. The Hurricanes look set to end top of the log, but the quest for second place provides a tense contest.
Hurricanes v Highlanders
The Hurricanes lead the competition on 57 points, with the Highlanders on 48.
If the latter secure five log points on Friday and the former no points, the
New Zealand conference and top of the log position both open up. The Hurricanes
gave their most disappointing performance of a stellar season in losing to the
Crusaders in Round 16, while the Highlanders were superb in demolishing the
Chiefs. These two teams play more creative, enterprising rugby than most and –
despite the game being diminished by the Highlanders resting their three All
Black backline stars – this clash could provide plenty of flair and skill.
Key players:
Happy news for the Hurricanes is that Beauden Barrett is back from injury to
play 10. With Ma’a Nonu on All Black rest, Rey
Lee-Lo is a key player at 12. Top performers, lock James Broadhurst and
openside Ardie Savea, continue their quest for All Black recognition.
With Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, and Aaron Smith all rested, their replacements
Mary Banks, Jason Emery, and Fumiaki Tanaka all
become key players.
The big match-ups:
Wings Waisake Naholo and Julian Savea. Beauden
Barrett vs Lima Sopoaga. Tanaka vs TJ Perenara
Force v Brumbies
It’s a straight shoot-out between the Brumbies and Waratahs for the Australian
conference, with each team on 42 points. The Brumbies have the tougher last
round fixture (vs Crusaders) than the Waratahs (vs Reds); thus earning five log
points against the Force on Friday could be crucial to the Brumbies chances of
winning the conference. The Force lie 15th out of 15 teams, with 12
defeats in 14 matches, and hard as they try, just do not have the players to
earn more than a few surprise wins in the course of the season. They’ll hope
Round 17 will provide one of those rare wins, but if the Brumbies play anywhere
close to ability, they should pick up five points.
Key players:
For the Force, Sam Wykes returns to play his last game for the Force before
moving to Japan. New halves pairing Alby
Mathewson and Zack Holmes. Lock Sam Carter’s medial ligament injury means
replacement Blake Enever becomes an important player for the Brumbies. Christian
Lealiifano at 10 with Matt Toomua still out. Openside standard-bearer David
Pocock.
The big match-ups:
Pocock vs Matt Hodgson. Wings Henry Speight and Nick Cummins. Feisty Mathewson vs feisty Nic White.
Rebels v Bulls
The Rebels have struggled (six wins, eight losses) because they lack quality and depth in personnel. The Bulls have lost seven of their 14 matches despite having quality and depth. Questions are being asked about the Bulls coaching and strategy and selection, with head coach Frans Ludeke under scrutiny and his future not all that secure. The Rebels came close to beating the Sharks in Durban in Round 16, despite playing with 14 men for much of the game, while the Bulls have had a miserable Australasian tour. On talent, the Bulls should certainly win this match, but there is more to winning games than running onto the field with talented players, and they won’t find the Rebels in any way a pushover.
Key players:
For the Bulls, Jacques-Louis Potgieter at 10 and
Callie Visagie at hooker in place of Handré Pollard and Adriaan Strauss
respectively, both on Springbok rest. Victor Matfield, back in the 5 jersey.
Jesse Kriel, their exciitng running, counter-attacking fullback. For the
Rebels, their two consistent standouts, Scott Higginbotham and Sean McMahon.
Tamati Ellison back from injury at 13.
The big match-ups:
Higginbotham vs Pierre Spies. McMahon vs Jacques
du Plessis. Matfield vs Lopeti Timani.
Blues v Crusaders
The Crusaders performances have ranged between wretched and sublime, but they do come off their best display of 2015, an impressive win over the log-leading Hurricanes. It’s not impossible for them to squeeze into the last six for playoffs, but it’d take other teams’ upset defeats – disappointing considering the ability of the players in their squad. Whatever else happens, they’ll want to end on a high in the final two rounds. The Blues have managed only three wins, with 11 defeats, which is just not good enough for a team with the talent to fare far better. Besieged coach Sir John Kirwan could conceivably be in the last throes of his reign as Blues coach.
Key players:
Dan Carter starts again at 10 and Richie McCaw at openside and as captain. What
a difference that made last week. The magnificent attacking wing Nemani Nadolo.
For the Blues, four youngsters: Debutant Airi Hunt at 8, and getting their
first starts, fullback Matt Vaega, lock Will Lloyd, and blindside flank Joe
Edwards.
The big match-ups:
At scrumhalf, inexperienced 21 year old Mitchell Drummond vs wily 33 year old
Jimmy Cowan. McCaw vs Brendon O’Connor. At 13, Robbie
Fruean vs Hamish Northcott.