Super 14 Final

[BokMagic]

The champions of 2007 take on the first-time finalists in Pretoria. Both teams have got some serious firepower, but also a few serious flaws in their make-up.

So, who will rise better to the challenge? The Chiefs, with their awesome backline, and their superb running from broken play, but with a seriously suspect scrum and lineout, which the Bulls will look to try and seriously target?

Or the Bulls, playing at home, with a formidable pack, a great, contolling halfback pairing, and a game-plan that suits them physically, technically and culturally; but with an appaling disciplinary record, that could just come back to bite them if they do not maintain the discipline as well as they did during their semi win?

 

[Jer1cho]

The Bulls. No one wins at Loftus. Just aint gonna happen. The Chiefs have done really well this year, but i think the occassion and playing at that ground is just going to be too overwhelming for them. Guys like Steyn, Spies, Stegmann and du Preez are in the form of their lives. The Chiefs need to play better than the best they have ever played to be able to win i think...

 

[Sir Speedy]

If the Bulls win, the Lions' task will be made even harder in a month's time.
C'MON THE CHIEFS!

 

[Woldog]

Bulls will win, Du Preez is just too domineering for the Chiefs.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

chiefs.... because i dare to live in dream land

 

[Incredible Schalk]

I hope the Bulls win but they are definetely not unbeatable, even at Loftus, the Cheetahs and Crusaders both pulled out big leads on them recently, the Chiefs are much better than those two so who knows. I think it will be something like their round robin match though with the Bulls winning by 6.

 

[tommowins]

Heart says Chiefs.

Head says Bulls.

 

[Wally]

This is a match against the two best / form teams of the competition, therefore anything can happen, no matter what. Bulls by 25.

 

[Bull]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Incredible Schalk @ May 26 2009, 02:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I hope the Bulls win but they are definetely not unbeatable, even at Loftus, the Cheetahs and Crusaders both pulled out big leads on them recently, the Chiefs are much better than those two so who knows. I think it will be something like their round robin match though with the Bulls winning by 6.[/b]

Quite right, they were also down by 9 points against the Sharks but also came back to win that match in Durban. The Chiefs cannot be underestimated and IMO they have to most dangerous back three in the S14 so kicks will have to be pin point and the Bulls can't give away possession cheaply. The Bulls might have the upper hand in the forwards but It'll be a tight tussle at rucks and mauls, Stegmann has to get a couple of turnovers and the Bulls can't afford to turn the ball over because the Chiefs have a counter attack second to none. I would target the line outs and maybe scrums to gain a bit of dominance.

 

[Jer1cho]

Sweet **** i can't wait for this game. Man i hope the Bulls win. getting worried now...

 

[QLD]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bull @ May 26 2009, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Incredible Schalk @ May 26 2009, 02:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope the Bulls win but they are definetely not unbeatable, even at Loftus, the Cheetahs and Crusaders both pulled out big leads on them recently, the Chiefs are much better than those two so who knows. I think it will be something like their round robin match though with the Bulls winning by 6.[/b]

Quite right, they were also down by 9 points against the Sharks but also came back to win that match in Durban. The Chiefs cannot be underestimated and IMO they have to most dangerous back three in the S14 so kicks will have to be pin point and the Bulls can't give away possession cheaply. The Bulls might have the upper hand in the forwards but It'll be a tight tussle at rucks and mauls, Stegmann has to get a couple of turnovers and the Bulls can't afford to turn the ball over because the Chiefs have a counter attack second to none. I would target the line outs and maybe scrums to gain a bit of dominance.
[/b][/quote]

Sivivatu isn't playing.

 

[ChiefsFan]

Muliaina, Masaga, Anesi would still be one of the best in the competition.

 

[Jer1cho]

I think they would still be THE best in the competition. lol. Even with Sivi out.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChiefsFan @ May 26 2009, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Muliaina, Masaga, Anesi would still be one of the best in the competition.[/b]

i reckon the back 3 will be sweeney, muliaina, masaga. anesi is good, but not the player he was before his neck injury.

centres should be bruce and kahui

 

[ChiefsFan]

At Fullback I'd be tempted to have Sweeney over Anesi (tempted), but on the wing I don't think there's a substitute for the pace that Anesi still brings to the field.

 

[candybum]

Especially when Habana and Ndungani is in the opposition! He's experienced too might i add. In saying that, i've hardly noticed him this year.

 

[Jer1cho]

Anyone remember that old Chiefs winger called Roger Randal (SP?)? All i remember was he was a tall scrawny feller who was super fast. I think he was the fasted rugby player on Earth when he played. Never saw anyone catch that guy...

 

[candybum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jer1cho @ May 26 2009, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Anyone remember that old Chiefs winger called Roger Randal (SP?)? All i remember was he was a tall scrawny feller who was super fast. I think he was the fasted rugby player on Earth when he played. Never saw anyone catch that guy...[/b]

Yes, played for the All Blacks for a couple games i think way back then. An achilles injury ruined his career, but he came back off the bench (on for Kahui) in the semi for Waikato in the first year of the Air NZ cup (i think). I think he tried playing overseas?

ANYWAYS... lol... yes he was super dooper fast! could have played more games for the all blacks but then he played in a time where the Lomu's, Wilson's and Umaga's was playing.

 

[kaino1990]

chiefs to win...hopefully? T_T

sad siti is injured, he has been in great form along with leonard but kahui coming back should help the chiefs 10 fold, i dunno i think the crusaders had the right plan, i mean, the bulls showed just what happens when you play an open game with some foolish mistakes right? jared payne made some crucial errors to let the bulls back in and they took their opportunities and turned them into points. If i were the chiefs id be trying to bash it up with de malmanche, taumalolo and the forwards, keep it tight but our lineout aint super so avoid kicking it back to them me thinks. muliaina fielding the back i think the chiefs have a good chance, just gotta be clinical of their mistakes and keep the ball in hand, 100 phases if necessary! just dont give the bulls the F**king ball and it should be a close match, otherwise spies/habana/ndungane/Kircher will all make the chiefs pay

 

[bates]

Ok, Chiefs have to win this, when I was in the Waikato surroundings most fans didn't know what to think about this season, but ringing the cup to H-town would mean so much for everybody.

Fingers crossed.