After 120 games, 9600 minutes, 587 tries and 5801 points scored; we are into the play-offs of Super Rugby. The top six teams in Southern Hemisphere rugby will battle it out to take the title. The end of the league season was exciting in its own way with the Blues, Hurricanes and Western Force all narrowly missing out on the top six. It was instead the Highlanders that took their place. They join the Waratahs, Crusaders, Sharks, Brumbies and Chiefs in the top six. The Waratahs and Crusaders have already booked their spot in the semi-final by virtue of being first and second in the league table. The other four teams will have to fight it out for a spot in the semi-final.
Super Rugby Playoffs Preview
Brumbies v Chiefs
The Brumbies topped the Australian conference and will be up against last year’s Super Rugby champions Chiefs for a place in the semi-final. The Brumbies will have the home advantage for the quarter final due to their fourth place finish in the league. In a re-run of last year’s final the Brumbies will be out for revenge. The teams have played more recently, just three months ago, with the Brumbies coming out on top as 41-23 victors. The psychological edge will certainly be with the Australians as the Chiefs cross the Tasman. The Chiefs themselves are not in brilliant form having lost to the Hurricanes, Waratahs and Highlanders in successive weeks towards the end of the season.
However, the Chiefs have been there before and have the experience of winning the big games. In Aaron Cruden they have one of the most reliable goal kickers in world rugby, who has kicked at the very highest level. If it descends into a kicking contest, then all bets would be on the Chiefs. Although Brumbies goal kicker Christian Lealiifano is accurate, he is not at the level of Cruden as yet. This is a game that neither side will want to lose. Each set of back-rows holds some extremely talented individuals and with David Pocock and Liam Messam up against each other it could be a key individual battle for the game itself. Both players are renowned for their work at the breakdown and whoever gets on top of the contest will give their team the go forward to get them into the semi-finals.
Sharks v Highlanders
The Sharks have to go into this one as favourites. They topped the South African conference and got third in the overall standings; because of this they have the home advantage. Add to this that the Highlanders lost their last two games of the normal season and scraped into the top six because other results went their way. It seems a no-brainer, however, when these sides last met in Durban at the end of April it was the Highlanders who took the spoils, beating the Sharks 18-34. This game might not be as clear cut as it originally looks and it could provide the shock of the weekend if the Highlanders beat the Sharks at home once again.
The Sharks will not change their game plan and will stick to what they have done all year. They will look to dominate up front and keep the game tight. The Highlanders will want to avoid this sort of game and keep it far more open. Captained by Bismarck du Plessis, the Sharks front row will prove a stern test and their scrummaging and driving mauls will be difficult for the Highlanders to defend against. Aaron Smith will have to use his backs efficiently because opportunities could be minimal. However, with Ben Smith and newly capped Malakai Fekitoa, the Highlanders have match winners in their ranks. Fekitoa has been mightily impressive in his first season with the Highlanders and consistently gets across the gain line. He will need to have an excellent game if the Highlanders are to beat the Sharks in Durban.
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