Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Friday, 26 July 2013 13:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
injury, he was eased into the game by playing in a local club game. Thereafter he was selected to be on the bench in last week’s game and finally did take the field in the latter part of the game. In this week’s game too, he is on the bench and not in the starting line up. For a player of such class and calibre, to be kept on the bench speaks volumes of the administration of the game, where they believe that despite one’s pedigree, you must follow the protocol for full recovery and fitness before being permitted to play the full eighty minutes. One must also accept and acknowledge the humility of the person himself in agreeing to be on the bench. In the previous league games, it was quite common to see Genia with the ‘water boy bib’ running onto the field when the Reds were playing, offering words of advice and encouragement, prompting one of the commentators to remark that he must the world’s best paid water boy. As one looks around the sportsmen in our country we cannot see a parallel by any stretch of imagination. Our megastars would consider it an insult to be seen carrying the water.
In the Chiefs vs. Crusaders game the key battles this week will be between Aaron Cruden and Dan Carter, both of whom have worn the All Blacks jersey with pride and distinction. What will be interesting is whether either player will change their personal game styles too much in order to outwit the other. Both have has fantastic games in the past and having played and trained together they now find themselves pitted against each other.
It appears to be that the momentum of the Crusaders’ comprehensive dismantling of the Reds last week in the qualifying final will carry on to this game as well. It will be a brave man though who will put his money down based on this statistic, as the Chiefs will have ambitions of their own.
In the second game, a lot of rugby commentators’ have predicted that the Bulls will win based on the fact that they have maintained an unbeaten record at home. The Brumbies come into their first semi-final since 2004 obviously buoyed by the fact they beat the Bulls in the league stage.
Jesse Mogg’s kicking game could play a major role, with the help of playing at altitude sure to add extra yards to his kicks to touch. Similarly Morne Steyn’s boot too has been lethal as well. Any indiscipline by the Brumbies forwards in their own half could be a three pointer for the Bulls. Ironically all the Brumbies points were courtesy of the boot last week, the majority of which was by Christian Lealiifano.
The set pieces by far will the centre of attraction. The Brumbies will be quicker to the breakdown point and their ability to win turnover ball will also be tested to the hilt. At line out time Mowen and Kruger will battle it out given their super performance throughout the season. Definitely not a game for the weak hearted.
(The writer can be reached via - [email protected])
