Super Rugby final

Question

It&#x27;s been a very successful super rugby season on the punt, primarily because I&#x27;ve been picking the eyes out of each round and playing 1, maybe 2 games a round. No such luxury this weekend. So what&#x27;s going to happen?&#xD;&#xA;Lets start with the forwards. There is no doubt that Crusaders have the advantage at the set piece. I expect them to win the line-out battle something like 4-1 against the throw. If the margin turns out to be greater then the resulting pressure from ball retention and/or field position could in itself win the game. Crucial too of course will be where on the paddock the Crusaders pinch the Tahs throw. I expect the Waratahs scrum to hold firm, I know the Crusaders scrum will. If the Crusaders manage to buckle the Tahs scrum that too could prove decisive, not only forcing penalties but putting the Tahs backs on the back foot. The battle for the ball at the breakdown will of course be vital but with both sides having excellent clean-out players I can see considerable periods of ball retention for both sides. &#xD;&#xA;I give the advantage in the forwards to Crusaders but expect NSW to have around 45% of possession. Will this be enough? The Tah&#x27;s backs have been superb all season, aided by amazing good fortune with lack of injuries. Man on man you may even favour the Crusaders backs but as a unit NSW gets the nod. Kurtley has been mesmerising and Folau keeps putting himself in try scoring positions. Even if the ball doesn&#x27;t find him he draws defenders and creates space for others. Tah&#x27;s options have been good, their execution has been good and their mistakes have been minimal.&#xD;&#xA;One would expect the result to come down to which side converts their opportunities but other factors that could easily decide the game are the impact of Skelton from the bench, who has their goal kicking boots on and the performance of Joubert. The other key element and the deciding factor in my selection is the mental toughness of the NZ side - not as Crusaders but as All Blacks. So many have had years of playing under the AB culture of learning how to win even on the rare occasions when they haven&#x27;t been the better side. &#xD;&#xA;It should be an absolute cracker of a game. I dearly hope the Waratahs come out on top but forced to make a tip I&#x27;ll say Crusaders.

GDayMate · Answer

It&#x27;s been a very successful super rugby season on the punt, primarily because I&#x27;ve been picking the eyes out of each round and playing 1, maybe 2 games a round. No such luxury this weekend. So what&#x27;s going to happen?&#xD;&#xA;Lets start with the forwards. There is no doubt that Crusaders have the advantage at the set piece. I expect them to win the line-out battle something like 4-1 against the throw. If the margin turns out to be greater then the resulting pressure from ball retention and/or field position could in itself win the game. Crucial too of course will be where on the paddock the Crusaders pinch the Tahs throw. I expect the Waratahs scrum to hold firm, I know the Crusaders scrum will. If the Crusaders manage to buckle the Tahs scrum that too could prove decisive, not only forcing penalties but putting the Tahs backs on the back foot. The battle for the ball at the breakdown will of course be vital but with both sides having excellent clean-out players I can see considerable periods of ball retention for both sides. &#xD;&#xA;I give the advantage in the forwards to Crusaders but expect NSW to have around 45% of possession. Will this be enough? The Tah&#x27;s backs have been superb all season, aided by amazing good fortune with lack of injuries. Man on man you may even favour the Crusaders backs but as a unit NSW gets the nod. Kurtley has been mesmerising and Folau keeps putting himself in try scoring positions. Even if the ball doesn&#x27;t find him he draws defenders and creates space for others. Tah&#x27;s options have been good, their execution has been good and their mistakes have been minimal.&#xD;&#xA;One would expect the result to come down to which side converts their opportunities but other factors that could easily decide the game are the impact of Skelton from the bench, who has their goal kicking boots on and the performance of Joubert. The other key element and the deciding factor in my selection is the mental toughness of the NZ side - not as Crusaders but as All Blacks. So many have had years of playing under the AB culture of learning how to win even on the rare occasions when they haven&#x27;t been the better side. &#xD;&#xA;It should be an absolute cracker of a game. I dearly hope the Waratahs come out on top but forced to make a tip I&#x27;ll say Crusaders.

GDayMate · Answer

"guy of a game"? - someone should tell Jatz that "cra*ker" is apparently an offensive word.

davopnz · Answer

I&#x27;m feeling pretty confident in a Tahs victory here as much as I want the Saders to win(Chch resident, know how much it would mean to people living in this battered city) Most people seem to think the Saders are actually the favourites and once again they are being hyped at this juggernaught that&#x27;s won the most Super Rugby titles, but can you remember the last time they actually won a title? It was 5&#x2B; years ago now, Blackadder is a perennial choker and I have seen tendencies in this team that shows his weak mindset(it cost them in 2011) If you remember the game earlier in the year against the Force, they kept getting penalties 5m from the line and packing a scrum, Force were on their final warning and what to they do? Kick a 3 pointer, and guess what they scored 3 tries and missed out on a BP. Much like in 2011 when in all likelihood Brad Thorn scored, it was ruled held up. They had a lead, they had the Reds of the brink of collapse...What do they do? Kick a goal instead of packing a srum(they had penalty advantage prior to tmo) and the next thing you know Genia wins the game for the Reds with a winning mentality.I also think the Tahs pack is actually bigger, stronger, more physical and more intimidating than the Crusaders just not at technically well drilled. They will well and truly hold their own, and I actually have a sneaky suspicion that Cheika might have a few aces up his sleeve at lineout time.The backs...I mean we don&#x27;t really need to go in depth here, night and day the Tahs are more lethal. The only advantage the Saders have is Nadolo and I suspect they will create a game plan to frustrate him(chip kick over the top, he is very slow at turning around and chasing the ball and also bombs with two chasers on him to tackle him as soon as he gets the ball) Another secret weapon the Tahs have is Daryl Gibson who is the mastermind behind the Tahs attack, well guess who he was coaching when the Saders won all their title? That&#x27;s right he was coaching them.Tahs out and out have been the best team this season, they&#x27;re at home in front of 60,000&#x2B; people. I&#x27;ll back them with some confidence(as much as hate to)

Lillowey-Aus · Answer

I really hope the Tahs get up they are due, in a whole season how did these 2 clubs not meet in home/away great scheduling

GDayMate · Answer

I hope you&#x27;re right Davo!

Shazzadude · Answer

I agree with Davo. I think the line is largely set on past glories. Waratahs by more than a converted try for me.

rod_steel · Answer

This is a peculiar line. Expected Tahs to be a lot bigger favs as well.

Icemunger · Answer

cant really go agaisnt crusaders to powerful and have the experiance

davopnz · Answer

How are the Crusaders more powerful? The Waratahs pack is massive. I do get sick of hearing the Crusaders have the experience story, they haven&#x27;t won a title in 6 years, the only experience they have is losing playoff games.

Icemunger · Answer

ahhhhhh how many Ab&#x27;s do they have in there team not to mention also irb player of the year i class that as a powerful team

davopnz · Answer

Point being? This is super 15 not international rugby, most of these all blacks have been there the past 6 years when they&#x27;ve won nothing. The Waratahs are under the 2nd year in their new regime and they&#x27;re in the final, setting records, and have the best attack and defense in the competition. No one disputed the fact the Crusaders are powerful team, I&#x27;m simply asking how are they more powerful? The Tahs have been the most powerful team all year long and the results and stats speak for themselves.

Icemunger · Answer

this debate could go all nite long, so just gonna have to wait and see wot happens on the pitch

Target2million · Answer

Sometimes we can argue all day. But its sports. The day anything can happend. Just reax. I had lots faith for saders. But this year they are not that good. Remember they lost home to shars.

So tahs have been playing well this year and 50k fans.

Tahs by 5 ponts.

Target2million · Answer

My bad lost to sharks.

Icemunger · Answer

yeah but they got smoked wen came to knockout football

Target2million · Answer

I put my whole bank roll sader to win 1.35 vs sharks for that game.Tell me saders by how many icemunger. Thats wt u feeling.Tell us ur feeling. Thx

rod_steel · Answer

About to kick off. Should be a humdinger

sportsworld71 · Answer

saders &#x2B;5.5 2nd half

Icemunger · Answer

wot a match pity it came dwn to a penalty but thats the way it goes sometimes

davopnz · Answer

great game, hope anyone that had the tahs was on the ml and anyone on the saders had the line!

rod_steel · Answer

4 Nations is going to be interesting and so will the Bledisloe

davopnz · Answer

absolutely rod, cracking year of footy. end of year tour is going to be very interesting too, last hit out against the big european nations before the RWC

GDayMate · Answer

Great game - never been happier to lose my money!&#xD;&#xA;Great for Foley&#x27;s confidence (and Wallabies) that he held his nerve on that last kick.

Super Rugby final

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