Super 15 Play Off SF: Stormers - Crusaders @ Newlands, CTN (02-07-2011, 16:05 GMT)

[d1e1m]

As a Crusaders fan my heart shouts for a Saders win but my head says fatigue is getting to them. I do like their odds with Duvenhagge and Vermeulen out, they're are 2 class players that any side would miss. Crusaders will dominate the scrums and hopefully get some penalties that were not called by Pollock last time they were in CT. I could see Richie and Whitelock giving away pens at the ruck since Whitelock is good at that and McCaw is playing his third game all season with maybe less than 80 min of rugby under his belt this season. This is going to be a tight game that for me is a bridge too far for the Crusaders in terms of travel fatigue but hopefully their A-Team can pull off an upset. If the Stormers have any chance of winning, they'll have to play attacking rugby that they seem to have forgotten from last year.

PS: And the fact that Dickinson, who I think gave Stormers every chance of winning in last years game v the Saders, is not reffing is a big plus. Craig Joubert is a ref I can actual see having a good game and letting it flow which would give advantage to the Saders.

 

[Shaggy]

I'm going to keep the faith, and back the Crusaders by 6 points

... I'm not as confident as i'd like to be though - i'm hoping Keiran Read's ankle holds up, and that Ritchie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, and Sean Maitland all step up, as they haven't had as much rugby as the others, and hopefully have a bit more gas in the tank

... I wouldn't be surprised if Todd Blackadder uses his bench a bit earlier than he has previously, to help counter any fatigue factors

 

[d1e1m]

I' think he'll empty his bench early on due to all the fatigue and the lack of match fitness. I'm also afraid Reados ankle goes out on him a bit into the game. Last 2 games there have been complete messes, hopefully this one goes much better.

 

[Darwin]

Duvenhage will be a huge loss for the Stormers if he is ruled out; his accurate kicking game is key for the Stormers. If Duvenhage is out, who will be covering 10 should Peter Grant get injured?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Duvenhage will be a huge loss for the Stormers if he is ruled out; his accurate kicking game is key for the Stormers. If Duvenhage is out, who will be covering 10 should Peter Grant get injured?

We have no specialist cover for 10 with a rookie scrum half and two centres on the bench. Probably Jantjes would move to 10 with Aplon going to 15 and either Sadie playing wing or De Jongh coming in at 12 and moving De Villiers to the wing. A bit messed up I know but we just don't have any more cover with all the back up injured.

 

[Amobokoboko]

As said before a close game. go Crusaders

 

[TNT88]

Nice intercept, lucky i tipped him for first try.

 

[187]

Good to see Carter brought his kicking boots.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The pitch is soaking wet.

 

[187]

Andy Ellis gone for the game.. Bugger. Fotuali'i is a handy replacement though.

 

[187]

Fantastic tackle by Fotuali'i! Saved their bacon.

 

[staph.glorious]

Did Corey Flynn hand Stormers their try?

Crusaders penalised, he comes out with the ball and...throws it towards the opposition and jogs back to the defensive line. Ten seconds later, Habana quick-taps and nips under who I think is...Corey Flynn.

A dumb time to act fair-minded or magnanimous.

Cracking invention from Habana, mind!

 

[Seaton]

Are they playing at Newlands, or Cape Town City Morgue?

Stormers being comprehensively outplayed, the support disnae have a clue fits happening, just moaning whenever a decision goes against them

How long do broken thumbs take to recover. And yes I know there are varying degrees of injury, so apart from re-attachment, what's the worst case scenario?

 

[tgd]

wow so it is their destiny....... men possessed... amazing performance

 

[dan-the-man]

Skinstad's commentary is making me throw up in my mouth

 

[tgd]

reds had a great season but there is no way the crusaders will lose the final now that they are there..... no signs of fatigue.... full squad back into fitness.......they will only get better in the next game... although restarts were poor and a few instances of poor securing of possession......

 

[Amobokoboko]

I wish the siren would go, the last couple of minutes I have troubles staying concentrate

 

[TRF_woosaah]

Fantastic, I am so happy i got up to watch this game. felt like a great team effort, no1 really stood out for me, marshall played well at the back, and gilford looked for a lot of work, but other than that the forwards played well as a pack and SBW and fruen were leathal in the centre.

looking forward to the reds next week!

 

[Seaton]

Skinstad's commentary is making me throw up in my mouth

Honestly, he said that the law regarding players retreating back after kicks was introduced in the past few seasons.

He really is pish

 

[dan-the-man]

Honestly, he said that the law regarding players retreating back after kicks was introduced in the past few seasons.

He really is pish

Not to mention he uses the word "physical" about 50 times per game