Super 14 Final head to heads
May 30 2008
Come kick-off on Saturday, the winner of the 2008 Super 14 will be 80 minutes away from hoisting up the most sought after piece of silverware on offer from arguably the toughest tournament played on southern hemisphere soil.
After fifteen gruelling weeks of blood, sweat and tears, the Waratahs head to Christchurch endeavouring to win their first Super Rugby title and deny the Crusaders their seventh championship victory from nine attempts.
It won't be easy, the fortress that is AMI Stadium is the Crusaders' dreaded battleground that has left many a team leaving with their tails between their legs.
The major betting institutions have the Crusaders as clear favourites for the game, but like the Highlanders proved in Round 14 by beating the red and black machine, anything is possible.
While this match is also set to be a swansong for both Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie and Crusaders counterpart Robbie Deans in Super Rugby, it's the battle on the field that will decide who goes home with the trophy.
We take a look at some key match-ups that are guaranteed to leave players booking an appointment with either their national team or the chiropractor.
Leon MacDonald v Sam Norton-Knight: The battle of the back three starts here and while it's fair to say they are evenly matched on the wings - McDonald is in a class of his own compared to Norton-Knight. The Crusaders' veteran number fifteen is a real threat to the Waratahs defence and has been the most consistant performer in the Crusaders back-line this season. MacDonald, who has played well over 100 Super Rugby matches and accumulated 51 All Blacks caps, is among the franchise's all-time highest point scorers and a key attacking and defensive component of the team. Norton-Knight has a habit for disappearing in big games and MacDonald will no doubt look to target his opposite number in a big way.
Kade Poki v Lote Tuqiri: Whether from structured play or on the counter-attack, the Lote Tuqiri factor will need to be contained. The Wallabies gamebreaker rarely needs a second invitation to punish poor kicks on his wing, and while Crusaders rookie Kade Poki has had a memorable debut season - his apprenticeship will be really tested against the master of wings.
Scott Hamilton v Lachie Turner: Waratahs' speedster Lachie Turner has impressed with some solid performances with the boot but still remains a threat whenever he hangs onto the ball. Opposite number Scott Hamilton proved again that he has the ability to spark something from nothing after making a comeback into coach Robbie Deans' good books last week. Preferred over departing Crusaders veteran Caleb Ralph - who misses out on the matchday 22 altogether - Hamilton will be looking to take Deans' advice and get involved as much as he can come kick-off (seemingly this was the reason the two-time All Black was axed in the first place).
Casey Laulala v Rob Horne: The Waratahs have an inexperienced yet balanced attack in midfield, and unless the Crusaders disrupt them early on the hosts' exemplary defensive record could be in jeopardy. The emergence of promising outside centre Rob Horne, who got his chance to start after regular number thirteen Ben Jacobs was injured and ruled out for the rest of the season, has every reason to blow his own horn (sorry -ed). Casey Laulala has had his most consistent season by far. He has an ability to break the first line of defence with a step or power while his distribution and decisions have improved markedly. If he can avoid injury, Laulala will play a huge part in the Crusaders' back-line momentum.
Tim Bateman v Tom Carter: Another fascinating duel between two relatively inexperienced centres playing in their first Super Rugby final. Tim Bateman is quickly proving that he is not just making up the numbers in his second Super 14 crusade. The promising youngster has taken his chance to feature in the starting XV with both hands after getting the nod to succeed the injured Stephen Brett in the number twelve jersey in Round Six (coincidently against the Waratahs). Since then, he has kept Brett warming the bench even after his return from injury. The Waratahs very own Carter may only have his surname in common with the All Blacks maestro, but his low error rate, strong defence and ability to carry the ball strongly and link effortlessly with his outside backs makes him a key player in the Waratahs baby back-line.
Andy Ellis v Luke Burgess: The selection of scrum-half Luke Burgess over Brett Sheehan has provided the missing link in the Waratahs' attacking game. Burgess, who had been overlooked until Round Eight despite playing well in the pre-season, provides quick service to the backs and threatens the defence with his speed around the rucks and mauls. However, All Blacks incumbent Andy Ellis will be too strong for his Waratah counterpart. You don't want to be kicking too much on the Waratahs' back three, but the Crusaders half-back is accurate enough to ensure the risk of a telling counter is at a minimum.
Dan Carter v Kurtley Beale: Carter's experience and class compared to tyro Waratahs number ten Kurtley Beale is the possible mismatch of the final. Beale, 19, has unleashed some excellent moments in general play and his tackling is becoming less fragile but how he handles the big occasion must be questioned. As must his goal-kicking. While Carter coolly slotted seven from seven shots last weekend to cap a smooth all round display, Beale has landed just five from 14 in his last two games and is averaging below 60 per cent for the season.
Mose Tuiali'i v Wycliff Palu: Mose Tuiali'i must have his defensive cross-hairs zoomed in on Wycliff Palu. When these players get a good roll on, they are both extremely hard to stop and will probably be one of the action attractions at the weekend. Palu has been the in-form Australian number eight to come out of the Super 14 and Tuiali'i is exactly what is needed to stop the 120kg enforcer from making gains with his runs from the base of the scrum. These two giants are rugby freaks. Both are immoveable at the breakdown, impenetrable on the inside channels and when given the ball, can vary their attack with deft kicks, straight running or clever passes.
Richie McCaw v Phil Waugh: This will be an enthralling contest and pits arguably the tournament's finest back rows against each other. Waugh versus McCaw is worth paying big money to watch. The Australian scrapper has been outstanding throughout the Waratahs' campaign, while McCaw's prowess at the breakdown hasn't waned at all. In fact, he's been more of a ball carrying threat than he has been in recent years, adding to his potency.
Kieran Read v Rocky Elsom: Both players enter this final with man-of-the-match performances under their belt from last week's semi-final. Read has been terrific for the Crusaders with his athleticism, ball-carrying strength and line-out work all making him the frontrunner to play for the All Blacks. Elsom has lived up to his first name by delivering knock-out performances since his return from injury. Line-outs, graft, support play - he has the full package and rounds off a potent Waratahs' loose trio. There is really no separating these two players and don't be surprised if you see them squaring up again in the Tri-Nations.
Ali Williams and Brad Thorn v Dan Vickerman and Dean Mumm: The Crusaders are expected to dominate the scrums, but they could be troubled by Dan Vickerman at line-out time. The Waratahs lock was outstanding in disrupting or stealing the Sharks' ball at this facet of play last week and with the Crusaders forced to start with inexperienced hooker, Ti'i Paulo - the visitors will surely target them here. Second-rower Dean Mumm is sometimes overlooked. But the New Zealand-born Waratah's ability to disrupt any line-out by grabbing his opposition throws, as well as his aggression in midfield makes him equally as dangerous. That's not to say the Waratahs' duo will have it their own way - far from it. Williams and Thorn have quite literally been a thorn against every opposition they've come up against - in the line-outs, in the tight exchanges as well as in open play. They are without a doubt the in-form locking combination of the tournament and will make sure they lock up their opponents and throw away the key.
Greg Somerville v Benn Robinson: Part of one of the best front rows in the competition, Somerville complements his set piece work with some damaging runs and solid tackling. Loosehead prop Benn Robinson had to fight for his number one jersey this season after being dropped in Round Two. As the Waratahs' campaign progressed and headed for the semi-finals, the front rower knuckled down and worked on his scrummaging technique, ball handling, running game and fitness. The hard graft and fighting spirit renewed McKenzie's interest in the six-times capped Wallaby and Robinson now packs down against one of the best tighthead's in the game.
Ti'i Paulo v Adam Freier: Crusaders hooker Ti'i Paulo, in for the injured Corey Flynn, will be under huge pressure to find his line-out jumpers. Paulo got an extended run against the Hurricanes after coming on in the 12th minute in the semi-final and the Crusaders will lose little through his presence in the final. The Waratahs will be calling on Adam Freier's experience now more than ever before to wreak havoc over the Crusaders' number two hooker. Freier is nothing flash, but he doesn't need to be if he can get the basics right. However, Freier is often seen doing more than his share in other aspects as well.
Wyatt Crockett v Al Baxter: Tall for a prop at 1.93m, Wyatt Crockett boasts the ball skills of an outside back and is well-suited to an attacking style of game. He plays with controlled aggression, is always near the pigskin in the tight and, as a bonus, has made a habit this year of scoring crucial tries. Veteran tighthead prop Al Baxter is playing the best rugby of his career, keeping Matt Dunning on the reserves bench. His ball skills are improving and this man is set for a huge Test workload.
By Dave Morris