Form will decide Super Rugby semis
23 Jul 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his Business Day column, says play-offs are all about momentum – and all the momentum this weekend will be with the Sharks and Crusaders.
The Stormers’ and Chiefs’ reward for claiming the top two spots in the league stages was a home semi-final and a week’s breather in between games. But what was supposed to be a favour for the consistency of the season could be the curse that ends the Super Rugby season for the hosts of both semi-finals.
Form is definitely with the Sharks and Crusaders and form is all that will matter this weekend. League clashes count for nothing when the teams meet in a match in which there is no second chance.
The Stormers, in 2010 and 2011, were the best defensive team in the competition, yet losing in a final and a semi-final is the return of a good side and not a champion one.
This season they’ve exceeded expectation. Their defensive record is unrivalled and so too is their lack of attack. The players have shown impeccable discipline in respecting the coach’s strategic approach to what best suits the strengths of the team. The squad has been depleted through injury, yet the resolve of the reserve players has been strengthened.
You have to applaud the Stormers’ campaign, regardless of whether the climax is a first home final and a trophy or a second successive home semi-final defeat.
A year ago there was an expectation because of momentum and player availability. This year needs more perspective, even if it may bring no comfort.
The Stormers have the respect of every team in the competition and they are now recognised as among the most powerful in the league. It is a respect that has been earned over the past three years through consistent performance. A team whose players were once labelled pretty boys with no appetite for a scrap are now the biggest scrappers in the tournament. Again, this may not be enough to win the title. The quality of Stormers players in too many positions does not match the desire of those who will play on Saturday.
A team doesn’t fluke winning Super Rugby’s trophy. No limited or poor team has ever ended the season champions because when the big moments have come the quality players have produced — and that’s why I also give the Sharks an advantage, despite the travel back from Australia and the venue being in Cape Town.
The Sharks have the greater individual pedigree in the pack and big-name players are flexing their muscles at just the right time. The physicality that was absent earlier won the Sharks the match against the Reds, who had lost just two of their past 23 matches in Brisbane.
The Sharks, individually and as a unit, were brutal in the collisions, but never did the need to impose themselves physically come at the expense of composure or attacking intent.
It was a glorious evening for the Sharks and South African rugby. It also ensured one all-South African semi-final, which means SA will be represented in the final. That makes a statement that had to be made after the Boks’ disappointment of the 2011 World Cup.
It is also confirmation of the strength of the South African game, which is why South African players must always be expected to be among the leaders in the game
We have always had the players, but the belief of those players hasn’t always matched their playing pedigree.
The Sharks never doubted they could win against the Reds because they’ve won there before. The Bulls never believed they could win in Christchurch, despite all the pre-match boasts of changing history and fearing nothing. The result was as predictable as the traditional Bulls success at Loftus.
There is no need for crisis in Pretoria. The best Bulls team in the past decade couldn’t win in Christchurch.
The Crusaders, inconsistent this year, relied on the incomparable Richie McCaw and the equally magnificent Dan Carter. McCaw, in particular, was a beast and to produce a performance of such influence in his 11th season of Super Rugby was monumental, even by his incredible standards.
Carter was as imposing and as good as at any stage of his career, yet even if he had produced the worst game of his life it wouldn’t have changed the result. The Bulls were beaten before they got on the aircraft.
The Crusaders were very good because, like the Sharks, their best players stood tallest. It is why they will beat the Chiefs in Hamilton.
And while it isn’t the popular view in Cape Town, the Sharks have the better combinations and the better individuals.
476 Comments
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23 Jul 2012, 21:23 pm
Here is a Peter De Villers quote just after the world cup i found on an Aussie web site.
Quote of the tournament: Who else but former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers. ”I’m Peter de Villiers. I don’t want to be Hamlet. I make up my own life values and live by them.” Snubbed after a failed World Cup campaign, de Villiers said: ”You can’t go out there and trust people; you can’t even trust your own family.” Cuckoo. Cuckoo
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/super-stars-and-villains-20120722-22i65.html#ixzz21TWHMeqh
23 Jul 2012, 21:44 pm
greg growden is scraping the barrel, in what capacity was pdv part of the super rugby tournament? hehehe they miss dippy.
they must vreet kak, they’re not involved in the semis! thre of their teams make up the bottom pile.
23 Jul 2012, 21:48 pm
sheesh, i am watching the sharks reds game finally.
this first half is so one sided its terrifying.
if you arent a sharks fan
no wonder there is a bit of stormers squealing haha, hows the offloads????
i dont think i have seen a better first half performance from the sharks in years.
23 Jul 2012, 22:05 pm
What’s the new word here again?
Naaaaaice
23 Jul 2012, 22:11 pm
@Dawn-454: thats it.
it naaice.
23 Jul 2012, 22:12 pm
Who will contest the Super Rugby final on August 4?
Choice Stats
Stormers vs Chiefs
33%
Stormers vs Crusaders
24%
Chiefs vs Sharks
21%
Crusaders vs Sharks
22%
23 Jul 2012, 22:20 pm
@sharks_lover-450:
Maybe the Sharks team landed up in the hot place!
A naaice little bullsharks gathering.
23 Jul 2012, 22:29 pm
Naaice
23 Jul 2012, 23:00 pm
This is what I think all Sharks supporters should try.
At least once in their lifetime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOxPc4PTcDM&feature=player_detailpage
23 Jul 2012, 23:25 pm
I have this sneaky feeling, Stormers will ambush Sharks at Newlands this weekend. They, the Stormers, have the game to put the heat on the Sharks at the set piece, then frustrate them at the breakdown, couple that with their excellent one on one tackling, this game could turn into one almighty arm wrestle.If this was to happen, I would expect the Stormers to come out on top.
Then again the try scoring ability of the Sharks through their clever handling and off-load skills could see them blow the Stormers away. Oh my sneaky feelings are starting to turn towards the Sharks, so in conclusion I don’t have a clue who will come out on top in this game, only that its going to be a cracker. Go the CHIEFS………..
23 Jul 2012, 23:31 pm
The keo kiss of death – sainara the curse has been cast.
Tears dry on their own – Amy winehouse
23 Jul 2012, 23:38 pm
@Te Rangatira-460:
There’s been a lot said by the Sharks supporters on this illustrious and highly esteemed forum. That suits me fine. The Stormers know what has to be done. And they will prepare for this game with the same mindset as all the others. What frustrates us Stormers supporters is that we all know they CAN score tries – it is either poor finishing, white line fever, crucial mistakes. Backed up by a very solid defence.
But the Sharks bring an attacking flair to the table. So it’s going to be a match of 2 contrasting styles. The Sharks flair vs the Stormers defence. And in the big games we all know that defence wins matches.
But I’m not going to put the house on it.
23 Jul 2012, 23:45 pm
@IAAS-462: a great deal has been said by Stompie fans too.
What the fans say has no impact on the teams. Trust me on this one.
What matters is only that which takes place between the 4 white lines and the first and final thweeeeet of the ref’s whistle.
So say what you want, the Sharks team won’t be taking any notice
23 Jul 2012, 23:46 pm
@IAAS-462:
I’ve said on this site that I am a fan of the type of game the Stormers play. I don’t see it as dour rugby but as tough and uncompromising. At this stage of the competition does not matter if you score a million tries or none at all, its the winning that counts and the record the Stormers have put up this year with only two losses holds them in fine stead to come away with the victory. Going to be very tough though, but they can do it.
23 Jul 2012, 23:48 pm
@wooden spoon-463:
The Sharks supporters have been claiming the higher ground for the last 2 days after Saturday’s glorious win against all odds. You included.
And I’m fine with that.
23 Jul 2012, 23:51 pm
@IAAS-465: what’s wrong, do you feel the “top” team should be receiving more attention? Feel as though the Sharks have stolen some of your team’s thunder?
The way the Sharks have recently dismantled the Stormers, Bulls, Cheetahs and Reds, that was inevitable.
Chin up though. As I said, it really matters nought what the fans say.
So throw yourself in. Say something wild.
23 Jul 2012, 23:52 pm
@Te Rangatira-464:
From your lips to god’s ears, mate.
I’d love the Chiefs to play in Cape Town particularly after the two have have been the leading contenders for the majority of this comp.
It is only right.
23 Jul 2012, 23:54 pm
Yep, I’d love a Chiefs vs Sharks final.
23 Jul 2012, 23:55 pm
@IAAS-467: lol, could it be more because you’d prefer to dodge the Cape Town favourite Crusaders?….
23 Jul 2012, 23:57 pm
@IAAS-467:
The Sharks are AWESOME.
All Sharkievarkie supporters are AWESOME.
BOOM.
It’s naaice.
23 Jul 2012, 23:59 pm
@wooden spoon-468:
Yep, would love that to happen…..will stay off the pisss for the week before in anticipation for one big binge, Blues style.
24 Jul 2012, 00:02 am
@wooden spoon-469:
All of them will look at the scoreboard with 10 minutes to go and will peel off the Crusaders blouse over their massive beer gut to reveal a spanking new Stormers jersey. With the price tag still on.
24 Jul 2012, 00:02 am
@Te Rangatira-471:
Oh that came out wrong….don’t want to put the mocker on the Chiefs….please omit the “Blues”
24 Jul 2012, 00:08 am
@wooden spoon-466:
post #470 was for you. Had to it post twice.
I’ll slow down a bit, keo. Are we too fast for you?
24 Jul 2012, 04:04 am
Te Rangatira:” Stormers will ambush Sharks at Newlands this weekend. They, the Stormers, have the game to put the heat on the Sharks at the set piece, then frustrate them at the breakdown, couple that with their excellent one on one tackling, this game could turn into one almighty arm wrestle.If this was to happen, I would expect the Stormers to come out on top.”
Spot-on…the more tired Sharks legs will also have an impact…
24 Jul 2012, 05:31 am
Travel, no travel the Stormers at home will be to tough for the Sharks.
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