Super XV Semi-Final previews.

First topic message reminder :

So the Semi-Finals of the Super XV is coming up and arguably the best 4 teams will be on show this weekend.

The Stormers will be taking on the Sharks at Newlands in Capetown and the Chiefs will take on the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Semi-Final 1:
The Chiefs vs the Crusaders promises to be a matchup of two teams who will both go guns blazing and it promises to be a try fest, both teams have played exciting and inventive rugby during the season, the Chiefs in my view has the better backline, the crusaders the better forward pack, howver it seems the Crusaders will be without Keiran Reid.

They met for the first time this season in Christchurch in week three and it was the Chiefs who started their season strongly with a strong away win against the seven time champions.

Final Score Crusaders 19 (6) Chiefs 24 (16)
Crusaders
Tries - R. Fruean
Pen - T. Bleyendaal 4
Con - T. Bleyendaal
Chiefs
Tries - L. Messam, A. Taumalolo
Pen - A. Cruden 4
Con - A. Cruden

HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

Their second meeting was in Hamilton and with a controversial try by Andy Ellis the crusaders turned the table.

Final Score Chiefs 21 (16) Crusaders 28 (20)
Chiefs
Tries - B. Retallick, SB. Williams
Pen - A. Cruden 3
Con - A. Cruden 1
Crusaders
Tries - K. Read, L. Romano, A. Ellis
Pen - D. Carter 2
Con - D. Carter 2
Drop - D. Carter

HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

CHIEFS TEAM.
1. Sona Taumalolo , 2. Mahonri Schwalger , 3. Ben Tameifuna , 4. Craig Clarke (c) , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Tanerau Latimer , 8. Kane Thompson , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Andrew Horrell , 14. Tim Nanai-Williams , 15. Robbie Robinson.
Replacelements : 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Ben Afeaki , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Sam Cane , 20. Brendon Leonard , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Lelia Masaga

CRUSADERS TEAM
1. Wyatt Crockett , 2. Corey Flynn , 3. Ben Franks , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Samuel Whitelock , 6. George Whitelock , 7. Matt Todd , 8. Richie McCaw (c) , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Dan Carter (vc) , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Ryan Crotty , 13. Robbie Fruean , 14. Adam Whitelock , 15. Israel Dagg
Reserves : 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks,18. Tom Donnelly ,19. Luke Whitelock ,20. Willi Heinz,21. Tom Taylor ,22. Sean Maitland

PREDICTION.
Crusaders’ experience to carry them through, Crusaders by 8.


Semi-Final 2:

It is unlikely that there can be more contrasting styles from two South frican franchises than the Stormers and the Sharks. The Stormers came throught the pool rounds with 15/16 wins based on the best defensive record in the competition and the Sharks as one of the leading try scoring teams, the Stormers based their game plan on defence and patience, the Sharks on going wide when the opportunity presented itself and with some sublime offloads and good execution scored some scintilating tries.

Theiir first meeting was at Newlands in round two and the Stormers came away with a solid if not spectacular win.

Final Score Stormers 15 (6) Sharks 12 (9)

Stormers
Pen - J Pietersen 3, P Grant 2

Sharks
Pen - P Lambie 4
Cards - R Skeate (60)

HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO NOT AVAILABLE.

They met the second time in week 14 and this time the Sharks turned the tables.

Final Score Sharks 25 (20) Stormers 20 (6).
Sharks
Tries - F. Michalak, K. Daniel, L. Mvovo
Pen - P. Lambie 2
Con - P. Lambie 2
Stormers
Tries - G. Aplon 2
Pen - P. Grant 2
Con - P. Grant 2

HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

Sharks and Stormers teams not announced yet.

PREDICTION.
Stomers have been off the boil in the past few weeks, the Sharks on the other hand has been on fire, will the travel fatigue affect them this weekend? Will the Stormers defence continue to dictate terms?

Sharks by the narrowest of margins.

Too be fair that would have been a very hard game to ref, and Joubert (in my opinion) showed excellent game management.

Yes it was brutal wasn't it. Havnt seen a match here like it all year.
The white card could see thompson was it? Out next week?

Taylorman

the odd thing on this one will be that if the judiciary find any offence, then they will have to oppose a sanction, they cant say that no further penalty is required, as the referee awarded a scrum.

No matter what the tab says,Super titles are won by the home team Chiefs were at home.They had a weeks restor extra training which ever way you want
it.TMO may have robbed them BUT what does it matter the best team on the day won.Taylorman I assume you are a Chiefs fan?they have been one of the top 2 sides all year.Today they were the bettter team over the whole 80 minutes but struggled to put the Crusaders away at the death.They thoroughly
deserve there final shot BUT can they go away and do it again.The Tab is backing the Sharks tomorrow from what I have read BUT Home teams win in this comp.Stormers with Home advantage will win tomorrow and take the title,as a AB /NZ fan I hope i`m wrong .Whatever happens it`s a new name on the pot and that is good for the Comp.On a tactical note Owen Franks not starting was in my opinion a mistake,also I`d have given Read a start he was there o r there abouts fit last week.Him on for the first 40 might have made the difference.That sums up the Crusaders year win or lose by one score.

I prioritise the ABs over any Super team, and think that it's pretty good that the Crusaders' ABs get an extra week of rest. No friggin way would I have wanted Read to play. I wanted the Chiefs to win anyway so looking forward to next week and I'm sure all Kiwis are going for the Sharks. Not least because I'm flying to Lebanon next Sat arvo and I'll actually get to watch it if the game's in NZ.

Owen definitely raised some eyebrows. Carter had a poor game-I haven't seen him play as badly for a long time even when ruffled. Well from what I saw I'm at work too lol. Clarke played pretty well and showed how badly the Chiefs missed him.

Yes Alan but if you stick to such a safe rigid formula and say the home team will win but I hope I'm wrong what does it really mean? You're not willing to actually make a decision for yourself rather let history decide things for you.

Sharks should win because they're playing the best rugby in SA. Travel might affect them but this tme I don't think so. Look at the stormers results. How on earth they are up there is beyond me.

Only team in the entire season not to score four tries in a match. In fact they got three in only two matches.

Even the bottom sides got four twice.

If the stormrs win this tournament then its a very sad state of affairs indeed.

disneychilly wrote:
Carter had a poor game-I haven't seen him play as badly for a long time even when ruffled.

Hinted at that just before kick off on this thread. I still put to down to smith and half expected this- Smith to my mind the smartest thinker in world rugby with teds retirement.
The chiefs ability to mix resolute defence with a scintillating attack means they'll win this.

I think that is a bit unfair taylorman, the Stormers may not have scroed many tries, but teams with higher intent to score tries also take more risks, just look at the Chiefs this morning, Cruden had a great game but took some afully risky moves, at one stage he got the ball deep in his twenty two and went right, there was not one support player near him, fine his risks paid off today because the Crusaders just didn't seem to be as effective as usual, especially in the first half.

The Stormer have scored some beatifull tries even if it weren't try fests.

You look at the game they played against the Crusaders earlier this season, I think there was only one try in the match, yet it was a great game to watch.

They have no intention to play risky rugby in their half like other teams do, but it is unfair to suggest they must score four try bonus points to deservedly win.

Actually I maybe in correct in this BUT the Chiefs and Stormers have THE best defensive record in the comp this year.You can argue any way you like BUT for the Sharks like the Crusaders.LAST week was there Semi -final.Sharks i hope will win because then the Chiefs have a home tie.BUT ONLY the Crusaders have won a Super title away off Shore.You don`t back outsiders regularly and win cash which is why the bookies are rich and the punters are not.Of course a punter can win money but not big. When I had a dabble on the horses I always won money on the day.BUT did`nt have any winners in the end was barred because my bet was`nt big enough and did`nt lose enough.I just did it for fun the bet was £1 daily if I picked up £1,50 or £2 i was happy.

Yes it is a bit unfair biltong. Fair enough. I guss we like to see sharks type teams doing better than teams that don't chance their arm. Stormers could win tomorrow but if you compare the two over the last five matches. The stormers narrow wins over the bottom dwellers capped by a loss to the sharks who have improved since.

Just can't see it.

Alan saders have beaten the chiefs 14 out of 20
times including 6 from 8 in hamilton.

The AB record at twickenham is similar yet you don't say england are favourites there do you.
So which history is correct?

No this was an upset. Thats how it will be seen and reported. How you can suggest the chiefs were favourites when you were actually the only one suggesting it is beyond me.

Another failed prediction. Glad chiefs won though. My apologies in advance to any stormers fans.

Get in there!! Well done boys.

Thought the chiefs ruffled the crusaders up a bit, got in their faces. They did to the the crusaders what teams that beat the ABs do, get stuck into them and also didn't give away silly pens. The cheek of taumalolo shoving McCaw. Rarely do you see other kiwi teams niggle him like that, it's king McCaw for crying out loud!

Also, nice to see the worm turn on a TMO call as well.

The chiefs have a resolve rarely seen 'consistently' in previous years. Credit must go to Rennie/Smith

For interest sake, here are how the teams have faired when they won or lost, the table shows how many matches they won and lost when scoring more tries, equal tries and less tries in a match.

Spoiler:

I've just come across this wikie page for SXV post-season player movements
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2012/13_Super_Rugby_transfers

Useful reference, but someone has too much time on their hands!

Taylorman,a few points YES I thought the Crusaders would win,IF they had played as well as last week then I still think they would have.Luke Romano off after only 14 minutes did`nt help them hope its not to bad the ABS need him.It was obvious the Chiefs targetted Dan Carter,and McCaw and used every physical means fair or foul to get the upper hand.No problems with that it s what the Crusaders did last week.As to stats and Home advantage don`t be ridiculous keep it in context.Super and 3N rugby between NZ and SA teams have gone with the home side NEARLY always.To Compare that with the AllBlacks playing England at home is plain ridiculous HOW many have the AB`s lost to them ANYWHERE 6 since 1905 !!!!.
I still think IF the Chiefs play the Stormers in SA it will be a home win the stats DON`T lie.THAT isn`t saying they CAN`t win i`m not in Nz so see things from a different perspective.The Chiefs got the benefit of the TMO over one try,the crucial late Penalty miss by DC settled it.Now the Carter/McCaw are finished band wagon will roll.Hopefully Romano will be fit for 4Ns start ditto Read
Interesting link Biltong lots of coming and goings at Hurricanes and Blues surprise
Jason Eaton being released by Hurricanes.Rudi Wulf still at Blues,Sean Maitland still at Crusaders both were supposed to be overseas bound.Also according to that the Kings is a done deal and a Super 16 next year?

Alan Super 16 if it is agreed will only be in 2016

emack2 wrote:.As to stats and Home advantage don`t be ridiculous keep it in context.Super and 3N rugby between NZ and SA teams have gone with the home side NEARLY always.To Compare that with the AllBlacks playing England at home is plain ridiculous HOW many have the AB`s lost to them ANYWHERE 6 since 1905 !!!!.

Ridiculous is what I meant. To base both last nights game on home advantage is ridiculous. Crusaders have won more times at the ground than the chiefs have. Way more. How on earth does the fact that historically other matches go the home way relate to this match as being anything significant. Thevsame would have happened in christchurch. Why? Because the chiefs on the night were the better team.

You could say at home blah blah all night but your reasoning would be a worn and tired cliche.

The reds lose and suddenly your theory goes out the window. Oh but in that case its injuries blah blah.

How about having an actual theory on the merits of both sides going into the match rather than resorting to...who's at home. Oh...them. I pick them then...
Geez...

Taylorman,going on the last few matches i`ve seen in my OPINION the Crusaders had they played as well as last week would have won.ON the day the Chiefs wanted it more in Wayne Smith /Dave Rennie they have arguably the most knowleagable Coaches in NZ.Why NOT bring up injuries and TMO decisions the Chiefs did when they LOST.Tired cliches well on that we will see I can`t be bothered to look it up.BUT out of all the Super series Semi and final matches has the AWAY side Won.Yes,I may be a little biased I was a Hawkes Bay /Canterbury back in the days of Kelvin Tremain so IF had a Super Franchise it would be the Crusaders.EXCEPT on a peripheral level don`t usually follow Super Rugby except for the odd match like last weeks.You want a theory about the sides going into the Match O.K.The Chiefs by dint of there rest and intensive training were the readier of the two sides.They targetted DC and RM especially in truth on form there is little between them at full strength.The Chiefs used the 9,10,12,link and attacked well the Crusaders game plan was the same as last week.They were hustled into unchareristic errors due to pressure,They missed the extra physicality of Read,and when he went off Luke Romano.Owen Franks should have started another cliche don`t change a winning team his contribution in sealing of rucks illegal I know was missed.ALSO on the day THE better side won but it was a close run thing.As to tomorrow and the Final we will see who is right.Also before getting uptight I am voicing my opinion which is as valid as any here on this occassion I got it WRONG ok?

To me the game the Crusaders found them selves in last night, was so different in all aspects to their game against the Bulls, that there is no way that I could draw any conclusion that they played better or worse either week.

the difference this week was the Crusaders got bashed, something that they didnt have to put up with last week.

Laurie,
I agree completely. The Crusaders were up against a whole different kind of opposition than the Bulls, and a much tougher, better one too. I can't see how much could be drawn from the Bulls match and applied to the Chiefs match. It is much easier to play well against weaker opposition.

Frankly, I have to credit Crusaders for making a match of it down the stretch when other teams might have folded under the pressure. But there was a pretty visbile difference between the teams on Friday morning/night.

I think it is very unfair on Waikato to suggest either the referee, TMO, or home field advantage was the difference in this match. Unfair and, to me, inaccurate. Chiefs were better. And it was clear on the TMO review the ball was on the line and was therefore a try.

Indeed Carter did not have a good match, but he has been off and on this season. And a number of other Crusaders appeared somewhat flat, too. Makes me think the perfect kind of opposition to beat Crusaders was Waikato, a high pressure, physical outfit which puts teams on the back foot. And that is despite having a terrible lineout.

Thinking forwards a little, I wonder which of the South African teams will make a more interesting match. Both are really good. Either way, the final will be close.

Do you really think a sharks chiefs final will be close doc?

Chiefs have just had a break, have no additional injuries and would be at home.

The sharks had to travel back from brisbane, take a beating from the most defensive side in the tournament to beat the stormers then travel all the way back here.

I think the teams are fairly even but the travel factor really does knock these sides. To win three do or dies over three weeks against top sides over vast distances is tough.

Chiefs will again be in a punishing mood next week so there's potential for a big win, especially knowing it was a 60 point loss to a SA side in SA a few years ago that cost them their only other final in this tournament.

They'll be motivated by that for sure. A kind of payback.

But I do agree a stormers sharks final will be tough. Just can't see them in it so impressive are the sharks at the moment.

Any news on Luke Romano`s injury he would be a big loss for the AB`s.It seems SBW may be in the frame to replace Conrad Smith.It will be very interesting to see how Crudon goes next year without Nonu or SBW inside him.He really is looking good at the moment,Dan Carter still given space will kill you.He had none today but don`t write him or mcCaw of yet !!!

Why do you say that Sonny Bill would replace conrad, I'd have thought that if SBW is able to be signed cortesy of Panasonic, that you would keep him at 2nd 5, and play Nonu at centre.? or do you know something that I dont.

What I mean`t was they are talking of SBW starting in the first two Australia tests.SBW would presumeably start at 12 and Nonu move out to 13 not very well explained sorry.

yeah that might work. Be a big backline with savea on the wing but Id prefer that sort of backline against the Boks who don't pose as many challenges as the ozzies in midfield where it'll be more bang bang bang all match.

Against ozzy they could get turned or run around but nonus no smith, mind you, neither is anyone else. Rather a tried and true centre but we don't seem to be overflowing with them in that department.

Taylorman wrote:Do you really think a sharks chiefs final will be close doc?

Yeah, mate, I do.

The only caveat to that, as you say, is the travel. But if Sharks get on the plane (assuming they win) right after the match, they have 5 - 6 days to adjust, which is sufficient. I think the same in reverse for the Chiefs if they have to travel to Cape Town if Stormers win. The good thing is neither Sharks nor Chiefs need to adjust to the local time, but it is important to have a few extra days to re-hydrate and get the muscles working again after the long flight

But to your question, I think it probably will be close. Both teams are smart, and both teams are physical. Both teams play defense and both teams can score. The Sharks will have a better lineout and a better scrum. The teams roughly equal in the back row, though with very different playing personalities and strengths. The Chiefs are better collectively at 9 and from 11 - 15, and play that dynamic attacking style extremely well from 1 - 15.

My top two concerns about the Sharks:
First, if Chiefs get this really up and running, can they keep up with Chiefs for a full 80?
Second, can they play to their scrum and lineout enough to make these platforms the winning edge? Chiefs were not good at the scrum and lineout against Crusaders, and I think the Sharks scrum and lineout are roughly equivalent to Crusaders, though Sharks with a slight additional edge. I think the Chiefs losing the scrums and lineouts in the final 20 kept Crusaders in the match.

My top two concerns about the Chiefs:
First, Cruden. He ceratinly appears to have all the skills but still makes some poor decisions. Bad decisions will kill in this match. And he needs a better day kicking, too. I think Michelak is back on form and is playing better than Cruden at the moment.
Second, closing out matches. For all their great attackling play, they don't seem a team who can slam the door on their opponents when they get a good lead. Almost cost them against Crusaders and could cost them against Sharks.

That's why I think the match would be close. But the key areas for me are Chiefs attacking play v. Sharks set pieces. I think the wild cards here are probably the stand offs.

I do think the Chiefs should be slight and deserved favourites. But I could see a Sharks win, too. But I am probably off my rocker and Chiefs win by 30..............

Cool. Hadn't realised the chiefs fell off in the tight phases that much in the last quarter.

Cruden hasn't made a lot of poor decisions lately and his kicking wasn't that bad was it. Two misses from fifty plus, one hitting the cross bar.

Secret to the chiefs is the pressure they are putting on oppositions and their last few matches have all been against better quality sides than the sharks so its hard to compare.

Do think theyll beat the stormers but agree there doesn't seem to be a lot of big scores this year, many many matches won by <10.

Its the rennie smith factor that does it for me. Two very astute coaches and the main reason for the chiefs huge turnaround this year.

Sharks strengths.

Currently on a roll with great momentum
Set pieces
Dynamic running back row
Line out
Michalack on the front foot in good form
JP Pietersen

Sharks weaknesses
Midflield now without creativity
Travel

Chiefs strengths
Backrow is intense
Kerr Barlow
Cruden on attack
SBW
General attacking backline more creative than the Sharks
Home game

Chiefs weakness
Cruden took some very dangerous decisions last night, could have bit him in the backside, might against the Sharks
They have lost a few games in the last weeks in the last 20 minutes, almost did last night, are they a 60 minute team?
Discipline, they gave away some ridiculously stupid penalties.

But lets not write off the Stormers yet, the semi final is still to be played.

True. As you know I'll normally back an attacking team over a strictly defensive one.
Again it may depend on what the stormers have been up to over the last two weeks. What the chiefs found in that time is a huge refocus and after watching the reds game th stormers must have used the time well to prepare so it gets very interesting, preparation being paramount.

Momentum vs patience, preparation and defence...an exciting prospect indeed.

Seems like everyone here thinks it's a Chiefs vs. Sharks final. I wouldn't write the Stormers off so easy to be honest, they are a tough, tactically astute side who are more than capable of winning this afternoon.

Read the New Zealand Herald stats guru yesterday prior to the Semi yesterday the Crusaders had THE best attacking record in this years Super15 and second best defensive after the Stormers.Prior to the match there was a lot of talk about knockout football.Get the basics right,make your tackles,keep you discipline,kick your goals.The Crusaders were hustled out of there stride BUT there set piece worked the full 80.Dan Carter by his standards did`nt have a great game,his goal kicking is at 66% but IF he had converted the try and the late penalty Chiefs would have lost.The plus side for the Chiefs is they have momentum and a great attacking side,downside by the best standards there set piece is flakey.I don`t think today will be a blow out or next week whoever plays.IF it is the Stormers they have a good setpiece and THE best goal kicker in the comp [Tom Taylor possibly excepted] inPeter Grant .Be VERY surprised if he does`nt start for the Boks.One of the commentators just before half time said the Crusaders had missed something like 15 tackles and conceded a lot of penalties which is unlike them this end of the season.The best thing for me now is that the remaining sides don`t slip into KO Rugby mode[like RWC mode] keep it tight risk nothing etc.THE most important thing is to get a good start,Chiefs did that but were struggling to close the game out in the last 20.Freddie Michelak is one of the few overseas S15 players and he was always class ansd still is with his experience he is arguably better than Crudon

Sir,
I agree completely the Crusaders set piece kept them in it against the Chiefs, and in fact, almost won the match for them. That's why its a big concern for Chiefs when they play either Stormers or Sharks. The Stormers lineout is even better than Sharks. Which, of course, will lead to constant kicks for touch since the chances of winning the lineouts would be almost 50% based upon the match Friday. Wouldn't be pretty, but that's how I would approach the game, and I am sure you all would, too.

I don't agree so much about Carter. He has not been on form consistently this season and he was an average playmaker on Friday. And his kicking was off too. But Cruden missed kicks as well. So to be logically consistent, I can't go to the 'what-ifs?' of Carter making a kick he had missed and not do the same for Cruden. That kick which hit the bottom of the crossbar was painfully close.

biltongbek wrote:But lets not write off the Stormers yet, the semi final is still to be played.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Seems like everyone here thinks it's a Chiefs vs. Sharks final. I wouldn't write the Stormers off so easy to be honest, they are a tough, tactically astute side who are more than capable of winning this afternoon.

I stand corrected (actually I am sitting at the moment). Stormers are at home and are an extremely good team. Its just they are not a 'sexy' team at the moment. They execute fundamentals extremely well and are highly skilled all around. Obviously a defense first-team. I agree with the above that Peter Grant is playing extremely well, too. Could easily see Stormers winning the next two weeks, but could just as easily see them losing. The remaining three (soon to be two) teams are all quite good, but none, obviously, are perfect or flawless.

Haha, you're right Doc, sexy they are not, certainly viewed by some not even attractive, but attractive doesn't necessarily win trophies, I believe the Stormers knows one thing, reduce the tries from the opposition and that means you have to take less risks, it has worked 14/16 times this season.

How 'bout this question, Biltongbek?
The difference between and betwixt the Stormers game plan and the Bulls? Similar on the surface, eh? But not at the core?

Nothing wrong with strong defense. I love that, actually. And as I said, if Stormers win today, then against Chiefs the Stormers will be kicking for touch til their legs come off......

Doc, I think the biggest difference between the Stormers and the Bulls is Peter Grant, Morne Steyn doesn't have the ability to adapt, he is lacking vision and therefor the Bulls have no plan B when they attack, Grant is also a conservative flyhalf, but when necessary he knows how to win games or adapt.

Grant can be conservative, but he picks his moments to attack really well. Stormers have scored some good tries this season, they just don't take unnecessary risks.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Grant can be conservative, but he picks his moments to attack really well. Stormers have scored some good tries this season, they just don't take unnecessary risks.

Exactly, it seems people are swept along with this idea of what running rugby should be. It creates a negative perception when especially the media in certain Countries criticise conservative rugby.

It is a style that is here to stay, some teams like the Hurricanes doesn't have a conservative bone in their bodies, but all out risk definitely doesn't win tournaments. It supposedly attracts crowds, but the reality is winning rugby still attracts more crowds than all out gung ho rugby.

The Stormers in particular only risks when they deem it necessary and well to be honest I think some fans are fickle, this isn't 7's rugby, or T20 cricket, it is a sport with many facets of play and if you can't enjoy all aspects of the game and the fact that teams lay different styles, then alas the game might not be the one for you.

The way I look at the Bulls who may have scored many more tries than the Stormers is, they have no plan B, the same cannot be said for the Stormers.

biltongbek wrote:
The Stormers in particular only risks when they deem it necessary and well to be honest I think some fans are fickle, this isn't 7's rugby, or T20 cricket, it is a sport with many facets of play and if you can't enjoy all aspects of the game and the fact that teams lay different styles, then alas the game might not be the one for you.

Agree 100% with this. I can see as much beauty in a brutal yet skillful forward battle as I can in a basketball style end to end try fest with little or no defence. Whilst I marvel at some of SBW's offloads, I derive as much if not more enjoyment from a bonecrunching tackle, or perfectly executed rolling maul.

Good to see everyone in 100pc agreement yet stormers, through having done nothing effective with the ball all half,find themselves needing either a try, or will need to rely on three kicks to take the lead.

Penalty to sharks.
Now what for the stormers?
This touted plan b that the bulls don't have?

Sorry but this match has gone exactly the way I expected. Sharks to take any initiative. Stormers to plod on defensively and get nowhere.

Now they need those things they've hardly got all year...tries. sharks should just snuff them out from here.

What a try by Pietersen, this man is on fire this season.

As the commentator says... will the travel hit the sharks last ten? Doc? Is that a factor here or an old wives tail?

Nice little chip through to pieterson, variations in the one ups...drop goal. These are the little variations that the stormers just don't posess. All their attacks have been one or two ups or habana going on a little run, including their try, through the hands and a solo run.

Sharks should hold out here.

Well done sharks.

Top effort to be the only travelling team to win. Two away wins, now a third needed. Tough ask particularly as the chiefs will be in a punishing mood.

The chiefs will be relieved to get a home final.

Its all on next week.

Well done sharks..Easily the best SA side this year and same with the chiefs. In the end, the best two sides are in the final...

Can't wait...

I'll drink to that.

Taylorman wrote:As the commentator says... will the travel hit the sharks last ten? Doc? Is that a factor here or an old wives tail?

Well, the travel hits the old wives in the tail pretty hard. I believe the travel impact is real, but only to a degree. These guys are professionals. The best thing is exactly what the Sharks are doing. Get on a plane right away and get out there. hit the practise field within hours of landing. It takes about 2 days to fully recover from the moderate dehydration and the muscle inactivity on a journey of about 24 hours. Most important thing for Sharks is to not adjust their sleep cycles to ay significant degree. This causes more fatigue than anything else.

Chiefs will have a home field advantage, which was well earned. But despite some stats to the contrary, I think the impact is not so large for teams like these. There is a benefit to staying in your own bed at night, as the Chiefs now get to do. This, to me is the biggest factor contributing to home field.

In the NFL teams criss-cross America frequently. In ice hockey and basketball, they frequently go cross country the day before just to play one match. And in baseball they cross the country and play three or four in a row. In these cases, the home field and travel impact is greater because there is no time to get the travel out of their system. Now, that is only 3000 miles (5000km for you French guys). But the idea is the same - people need time to get the impact of airline travel out of their systems. The bigger impact may come from the extra week the Chiefs had to rest. If the Sharks appear to slow at the end, I think it is due to that.

In my opinion, if Chiefs win, it will not be due to Sharks travel. It will be due to the fact they are better. And, I think this is the final we all wanted.....

A new name on the super trophy is a nice change and great for little old hamilton to be hosting a final. Many of them would have been watching this match for that reason.

Tough ask for the sharks who did well to 'keep the pilot waiting' for the return flight.

Doc should they get over here asap to best get over the travel or doesn't it matter?

Its already Sunday here so assuming they don't get here till Monday they'll only have five sleeps... listening to pieterson who said he was pretty tired...and he's a winger. Imagine how the forwards will be feeling it.

Well the Sharks fans should be proud of their team irrespective of whether they manage to win over there, I understand what Doc says, but I think travelling east is harder than travelling west, you "lose" time.

The Sharks will give it their all irrespective.

The Freddie Michelak show,i`m losing itthat`s two out of two I got wrong this weekend.Well done the Sharks earning a home Nz final for the Chiefs next week will be great hopefully.Travel fatigue must catch up with them some time for THE STORMERS fans it must be worrying there side has lost 3 home Semi`s.

The best thing for the Sharks would have been to have a private jet with the engines running sitting in the car park outside Newlands. A flight which leaves SA on Sunday will arrive on Monday night in NZ. Can't escape that: a ten hour time zone flight is tough. Considering that one of the finalists would have had to make the long flight, I think both semi-finals should have been played on Friday, not Saturday.

The hardest part of this trip for the Sharks is to avoid changing thier body clocks to the max degree possible. This minimizes the losing any time by flying east. This will mean getting up for breakfast in the afternoon and practicing in the evenings and at night. I am sure their management team know this very well. I know US pro teams do this as normal business.

One weird new part of sports/theraputical medical science is studying the physiology of recovery. In other words, how to get the body to help itself recover or heal faster as opposed to taking medications and the like. Which would be of great assistance to any team travelling a long way.

The cryogenic recovery booths used by the Wales team has received a lot of publicity. There is some data which suggests it does promote significant rapid healing, though putting someone in a freezer for a spell will certainly not be for everyone. It is developing a following and is becoming common enough where it can be studied in real detail. I tried it about a year ago just out of interest (it doesn't help the criminally insane, though). Needless to say I froze my potatoes off and I am glad I already had my kids.

An older and, to me, more promising option is the hyperbaric chamber. This is a high pressure Oxygen chamber, the purpose of which is to over-saturate the blood cells with oxygen which promotes healing. Originally developed to cure divers which the "Bends", the divers nitrogen blood saturation syndrome, it is actually already approved in many countries to support current treatment methods from severe burns, certain organ damage, possibly even CP. I believe there would be a huge benefit for any sports team travelling as far as Sharks by plane. Immediately as they deplane upon srrival and once per day for the next few days. Might even give a slight advantage (tbd on that)

If we think for a moment, this kind of travel experieinced with SANZAR teams/nationson a regular basis is unprecented in human sports history. It will be very interesting to see which and how information develops.

One more field of study is sleep. The human body can recover much faster when sleeping (naturally, not medicated) There is data which suggests our Circadian rhythms, our natural sleep-wake-sleep cycles, are easier to manage with a 10 - 12 hour time change as opposed to a 4 - 8. Ths is because of the proclivity to shut down for a short time, usually 13 hours after waking (studies were performed in caves away from any natural light which is where the 13 hour cycle comes from). So, if Sharks were to try to adjust sleep patterns, Auckland might be easier than Perth. But that is still in research phases as applies to athletes. And is still much harder than staying home.

So what does all this have to do with Chiefs-Sharks? Not very much, but I like going off about cool research. And being inolved with sports and athletes as a profession enables me to stay on top of this stuff. It sometimes seems Frankenstein-like. Just wait until we start transplanting brains into different bodies......

If Sharks can maintain their normal sleep cycles as best as possible, the time change can be minimized. And that will give us a great final.