Super Rugby Semi Finals are on

Friday, 19 July 2013 03:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After the hectic and exciting local schools rugby schedule, we have a rather quiet weekend. The Carlton rugby sevens with the expatriates is scheduled in a few weeks. The local sevens did not see any meaningful crowds at any of the venues and that was not something unexpected. One does not expect to flock outstation for the entire weekend on two consecutive weekends and that too in

monsoon weather. Our focus now shifts to the final stages of the Super Rugby season. The season took a two week break to accommodate the British and Irish Lions games against the Wallabies. Eventually Warren Gatland triumphed and Robbie Deans was shown the door. It is ironic that a few weeks earlier the cricket coach, Mickey Arthur was replaced with Darren Lehman. This change did not help the Aussies to win the first Ashes Test, although I believe that is a step in the right direction. There are various theories in that a coach is as good as the team that he has to work with and there are others that believe that a good coach can turn things around. My mind goes back to 1996, when we won the Cricket World Cup and the little known Dav Whatmore of Lankan origin and Alex Kontouri of Greek descent steered our lads to glory. The fixtures for the Super Rugby are Crusaders v Reds and the Brumbies v Cheetahs. The winners of these games will meet the Bulls and the Chiefs in the following week. These games will be high octane affairs as there is everything to play for as the Reds are arguably the most successful Australian team in recent times. Many analysts have pointed out the fact that the Reds’ success against NZ teams this year may have been a major role in Ewen McKenzie being considered as the Wallabies coach, and with the Rugby championship around the corner this is considered significant. Will Genia and Horwill are back after injury and Genia will once again pair with Quade Cooper, arguably a notable absentee in the recent Wallabies line up. The battle for supremacy in the # 10 role will be intense with Dan Carter’s super form in the recent past a delight to behold. It is believed that Carter’s all round game has improved and that he is now willing to play a more positive role in defence, tactical kicking and ball distribution. The Reds will obviously want to have a dream farewell for Ewen McKenzie and they may up their game to achieve this. The thought of watching Cooper, Will Genia, Ed Quirk, Jake Schatz from the Reds battle head on with the likes of Carter, the elusive Israel Dagg, Tom Taylor, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock for the Crusaders, will be mouth-watering. Add the fact that McCaw will come in from the bench at some point in time will have the crowd’s content. In the second game, the Brumbies have been reasonably consistent performers this year. The battle of the third row will be fascinating and the Brumbies are considered to be one of the quickest teams at the breakdown this year. It is indeed a fine line that governs what is considered as fair play in a breakdown situation and referees have been quick to point out and penalize such offences. Blindsider Peter Kimlin and #8 Ben Mowen have both earned Wallabies squad recognition for their excellent form, and Mowen was considered as the most consistent of the Australian forwards. Key players that will do battle are Jesse Mogg, Lealiifano, Mowen, the veteran George Smith, for the Brumbies. Willie le Roux,

Eborsohn, Labuschagne, Brussow, Adriaan Strauss for the Cheetahs will make an impact. For all the statically minded I have listed below the final standings of the Super Rugby standings. (The writer can be reached via [email protected])

Super Rugby Semi Finals are on

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