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2014 Super Rugby Semi-final: Crusaders v Sharks
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 659775" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>A pretty good looking Sharks side too. I agree with SomeOke in that the backline looks much better with Lambie back, as Steyn, Joordan, and Pietersen are all back in their best positions now. Individually their is a lot of talent in that Sharks backline - it's just a shame they don't really like to use them with ball in hand!</p><p></p><p>It will be interesting to see how young Thomas du Toit goes against Owen Franks. I think the scrums will be pretty even, and while both sides has strong lineouts I think the Crusaders may have a slight edge at lineout time (assuming Flynn doesn't have a throwing melt down...). They have 3 outstanding jumpers (Bird, Whitelock, and Read), though I have been very impressed with Lewies this season (and Kankowski is a strong lineout exponent too). I'm not convinced about the Sharks starting both Alberts and Deysel. They are both good players, but they are both very similar in style - I feel they may have been better off with another player who excels more in the tight (e.g another lock).</p><p></p><p>I feel the Crusaders should be able to gain parity up front, the bigger question for me is how/if they are going to breach the Sharks defense. The Sharks defense has been pretty strong this season - if the Crusaders aren't more direct in attack I feel they will struggle to breach the Sharks defense. I think the Crusaders have started to look a bit sharper in the backs since Read and Carter have returned but still haven't been near as good as they potentially should be. Obviously the key is get Read and Nadolo running in those wider channels - if Nadolo gets a bit of space he is very hard to stop!</p><p></p><p>The key for the Sharks will be gaining dominance up front, and kicking long. The Crusaders don't seem that keen on the counter-attack so they probably won't worry about kicking the ball out. There will be space in behind Nadolo and Fonotia which I'm sure they will look to exploit - I epxect Israel Dagg will be doing a lot of running tonight!</p><p></p><p>I'm picking the Crusaders to come out firing and win relatively comfortably in the end by 10-15. However I remember picking the Crusaders to win earlier this year against the Sharks in Christchurch, and the Sharks won with only 14 men....</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 659775, member: 24910"] A pretty good looking Sharks side too. I agree with SomeOke in that the backline looks much better with Lambie back, as Steyn, Joordan, and Pietersen are all back in their best positions now. Individually their is a lot of talent in that Sharks backline - it's just a shame they don't really like to use them with ball in hand! It will be interesting to see how young Thomas du Toit goes against Owen Franks. I think the scrums will be pretty even, and while both sides has strong lineouts I think the Crusaders may have a slight edge at lineout time (assuming Flynn doesn't have a throwing melt down...). They have 3 outstanding jumpers (Bird, Whitelock, and Read), though I have been very impressed with Lewies this season (and Kankowski is a strong lineout exponent too). I'm not convinced about the Sharks starting both Alberts and Deysel. They are both good players, but they are both very similar in style - I feel they may have been better off with another player who excels more in the tight (e.g another lock). I feel the Crusaders should be able to gain parity up front, the bigger question for me is how/if they are going to breach the Sharks defense. The Sharks defense has been pretty strong this season - if the Crusaders aren't more direct in attack I feel they will struggle to breach the Sharks defense. I think the Crusaders have started to look a bit sharper in the backs since Read and Carter have returned but still haven't been near as good as they potentially should be. Obviously the key is get Read and Nadolo running in those wider channels - if Nadolo gets a bit of space he is very hard to stop! The key for the Sharks will be gaining dominance up front, and kicking long. The Crusaders don't seem that keen on the counter-attack so they probably won't worry about kicking the ball out. There will be space in behind Nadolo and Fonotia which I'm sure they will look to exploit - I epxect Israel Dagg will be doing a lot of running tonight! I'm picking the Crusaders to come out firing and win relatively comfortably in the end by 10-15. However I remember picking the Crusaders to win earlier this year against the Sharks in Christchurch, and the Sharks won with only 14 men.... [/QUOTE]
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2014 Super Rugby Semi-final: Crusaders v Sharks
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