“Look, what I can tell you is that the Sharks will be up against a complete team, a team that plays complete rugby and doesn’t have many weaknesses,” said Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph at his post match press conference after losing to the Sharks.
When this encounter was confirmed one had to think back to 17th May in this very stadium. Crusaders faced a 14 man Sharks team for 63 minutes and 13 during the second half only to lose 30-25. Not the rugby you associate with the 7 times champions, I sat there and just couldn't believe it. Granted they had a few notable omissions but they are expected to put up a better fight, with the squad they have at their disposal.
Captain Richie McCaw is expected to start and replace Jordan Taufua as it has been reported he trained on Monday. The Crusaders won't want a repeat of that night. They will be hoping to go on to their first Super Rugby final since 2011 (the year they were "homeless" due to earthquakes and travelled some 22000km from New Zealand to Cape Town to Brisbane only to lose in the Final.)
Just like the Crusaders are the only New Zealand representative in the last four the Sharks fly the South African flag and will be buoyed by their fond memories of the last time they played at the AMI Stadium. (I bet reminding the Crusaders of that at every scrum and line out).
It does look like coach Jake White is expected to start with fit again Patrick Lambie. Who played his part quite well in their semi-final victory last week. Playing Lambie at pivot opens up options like Steyn on inside centre (where he looks more comfortable) and moving Paul Jordaan to outside centre and JP Pietersen back to wing, just might well be the way to go for the South African franchise. Though he is keeping his cards close to his chest in typical fashion and I would think Lambie's big match temperament could sway his coach even though he was quoted as saying “I will have to sit down and think about it and can’t commit myself now,”
Prediction
There is nothing really separating these top teams, besides the home ground advantage. It reads they have each played 16, Crusaders and Sharks both won 11, lost 5, have a points difference 123-113, bonus points 7-6 and lastly log points 51-50 so you'd be a brave man to call it. What I will do is quote Jamie Joseph again "All I can say is that it will be a ripper."
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off (@jcba)
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