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Super Rugby Semi Finals: Things you need to know
By Jamie Wall
Two massive games take place tonight in Super Rugby, with the winners to face off next weekend in the final. Firstly the Crusaders welcome the Chiefs to Christchurch, then later on the Hurricanes roll into Johannesburg to take on the Lions.
Here's a few things that could play a part in the results tonight:
- The Crusaders and Chiefs literally hate one another. There's rivalries, then there's this. Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was asked this week if a 'hatred' existed between the two sides, and was remarkably honest in saying that this perception was 'pretty accurate'. He went on to say "In the end, they've won so many titles and I guess we wanted to really stand up to them six years ago. There have been some titanic clashes - they're always physical, all the Kiwi games are." This echoed the admissions of former Chief and co host of The Short Ball Mils Muliaina, who said this week that the hatred stems from 'the Blues not being good enough to have a rivalry with anymore'. Ouch.
Listen here:
- The Hurricanes don't mind playing at Ellis Park at all. The last time they were there, the Super Rugby champs racked up a half century against the team they'd eventually beat in the final. The Canes ran in eight tries that day in Johannesburg, and pose a much greater attacking threat than the team the Lions beat last week, the Sharks.
- Charlie Ngatai is back. The highly rated midfielder returns to the number 12 jersey for the Chiefs, after yet another long lay off with injury. A strong performance here could see Ngatai figure in the All Blacks' plans for the rest of the season, and his line-breaking ability could cause some real problems for the Crusaders tonight. If he does, it'll take a lot of pressure off Damian McKenzie, who seems to have been at the heart of everything the Chiefs do this season.
- This is the first time the Lions will play a New Zealand team this year. Much has been made about the 2017 draw and how the Lions have managed to avoid the tough NZ conference till now. They will be relying on the usual combination of travel fatigue and altitude, plus the ability to kick goals from virtually anywhere in front of their own 40 metre line. However, at least one Canes player has figured out the benefits of the kick-friendly altitude as well, so maybe TJ Perenara might find himself getting handed the tee at some stage.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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