Crusaders v Sharks: preview of the Super Rugby semi-final at AMI Stadium, Christchurch
CRUSADERS v SHARKS. Everything you need to know about the Crusaders v Sharks Super Rugby semi-final at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
CRUSADERS v SHARKS. Everything you need to know about the Crusaders v Sharks Super Rugby semi-final at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN: Super Rugby semi-final, AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 5.35pm AEST Saturday
TV: Fox Sports 2 — coverage begins at 5pm
FORM GUIDE: Crusaders WWLWW, Sharks WWLLW
MATCH ODDS: Crusaders $1.35, Sharks $3.25 (sportingbet.com.au, as at 4pm, 24/7)
FULL LINE-UPS: Crusaders v Sharks teams
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The winner advances to — and depending on the result of the other semi-final might host — the Super Rugby grand final; the loser heads for Mad Monday.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Crusaders return from a week off to host the first Super Rugby semi-final, earning last weekend off after finishing second overall on the ladder.
New Zealand’s top-ranked team, the Cantabrians welcome South Africa’s No. 1 side to Christchurch for the second time this season.
The two sides squared off in round 14, with the Sharks prevailing 30-25 in an epic encounter despite playing much of the match down a man following Jean Deysel’s red card for stomping.
Jake White’s side clinched a spot in the semi-finals after prevailing in a tough encounter with another south island team from New Zealand, coming from behind to down the Highlanders 31-27 in their qualifying final at Kings Park in Durban.
The Highlanders could provide a clue to the outcome of this encounter, given the Crusaders thrashed them — albeit minus captain and star fullback Ben Smith — 34-8 a week before.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Richie McCaw v Marcell Coetzee
All Blacks captain McCaw makes a timely return to action after missing the Crusaders’ past three games with a rib injury he picked up while on Test duty. The superstar flanker’s availability will boost an already in-form pack boasting a stack of All Blacks talent, including skipper and No. 8 Kieran Read who looks to be back to the form that saw him crowned IRB world player of the year in 2013. But McCaw will have his hands full against Coetzee, who has been in great touch himself and was a powerhouse against the Highlanders last week. The burly back-rower, who has been the leading ball-carrier for the Sharks this season, made nine bruising runs for 65m and crossed for an important try.
Nemani Nadolo v Lwazi Mvovo
Sharks winger Mvovo looks set to be handed one of world rugby’s most unenviable tasks — shutting down Fijian flyer Nadolo. The Brisbane-born winger has been a revelation in his first season of Super Rugby, crossing for 10 tries to trail only Waratahs star Israel Folau (12). At 194cm and 125kg Nadolo is particularly hard to stop if he’s given time to hit top gear, and Crusaders playmakers Colin Slade and Dan Carter will be looking to do as often as possible. Mvovo is no slouch in attack himself and leads the Sharks this season for run metres (920), tackle busts (40) and linebreaks (13). But he lacks Nadolo’s try-scoring prowess, crossing for only two five-pointers in 17 games.
STATS AMAZING
The Crusaders and Sharks have met in two Super Rugby playoffs matches, with the New Zealanders winning both clashes, each time on home soil. They won their 2011 qualifying final 36-8 on their way to reaching the decider, and triumphed 36-32 in a 1998 semi-final before taking out the title.
The Sharks are trying to shake off a tag as one of Super Rugby’s biggest bridesmaid. They have made the playoffs on nine separate occasions but have failed to win a title in their four grand final appearances.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
“The Sharks have shown this season that they are an extremely classy outfit and a very difficult team to beat. This is our biggest challenge yet, but we feel ready for it.” Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder
“Over the last fortnight we have had a great win over the Stormers and then had to fight for our lives to beat the Highlanders, and that is great momentum to take into the semi-finals.” - Sharks coach Jake White
Originally published as Crusaders v Sharks: preview of the Super Rugby semi-final at AMI Stadium, Christchurch
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