I was at the game earlier this year and am reading from the same page you are. The Sharks played for half a game against the Saders at Twickenham – if the travel doesn’t affect them and they rock up for the 2nd week in a row, I don’t think they will be rolled over as some expect.

Of course I am biased, but I’m backing them for an upset and hoping the Blues beat the Tah’s as the Tah’s are more of a worry for me in the latter stages (they are very good defensively and have game breakers for tight games – I never liked Kurtley Beale when he 1st hit the scene, but the man can play).

Go the Sharks

If they tighten up their handling their defensive game is very hard to beat.

They know what the Reds and Crusaders are likely to try against them as they’ve done it before and it worked, so they advantage of beinf fairly sure of the type of game each team is likely to play against them and so hopefully have a plan to plug the holes.

Hopefully.

Interesting what you say!

Question how did the bulls start winning semis and finals – having a good run up to them. BMT is important but BMT is really about sticking to game plan under pressure. The reds have on at least 3 occassions have had to pull out the BMT.

Yes there is 3 weeks ahead but a successful team always starts somewhere.

The Stormers were sneaky, but clever this weekend. Don’t think this tactic will work again. Everytime a breakdown took place the Stormers rather went to block the tackler (so he can’t roll away) than go for the ball. This was guarenteed penalties. (The Sharks did a similar thing a few weeks ago, but much more blatant)

This rule will eventually be blown different, because similar to the defender allowing the attacking player to place the ball, the defender should also be allowed to roll away. The rule interpretation is stupid, but the Stormers and Sharks have used it cleverly this year. (Oh, and the Reds as well.)

The big loser was the Bulls who also won 10, but the Tahs aced them on bonus points (and the sharks too, despite their draw).

So lack of bonus points only cost the Bulls this year, not the Stormers as everyone was whining about at the beginning of the season.

Conservative may not be as entertaining to the rest of the country, but if you’re a Stormers fan it’s fine with us.

Against the Cheetahs we ran the ball….he is saying in the semi , dependent on our opponents, we may revert to our more conservative game plan.

Kan jy nie lees nie?

Thus even if the crusaders might have the best point difference, recent form also needs to be looked at. Also, what a strong defensive unit such as the stormers do well is to keep the ball. they might not always score four tries, but they also dont give the opposition the opportunity to do.

I would say its the stormers vs crusaders are a 50/50 on a neutral venue, but we will just tip it in our favour on Newlands. Should be an epic battle – cant wait.

Then the final – depends if Quade has a good day or not. If he does, he dont stand a chance, however – I still prefer to go in with a balanced team and take my chances on the day with the pressure of a final.

And thats my emotional choices…