The Super Rugby playoffs are upon us, so here is my preview for the weekend.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Arguably the two smallest of the New Zealand franchises face each other on Saturday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, the best home ground in the competition for the atmosphere created inside the enclosed stadium and the passionate and knowledgeable rugby crowd. Looking at the two teams on paper you would say that the Chiefs are the favourites for this game due to the strike power that they have all the way across the park but the Highlanders have continually beaten better teams all season due to their teamwork and ability to niggle and slow the ball at the breakdown and not stopping until the final whistle. Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph won’t change too much in this game as far as game plan and he will be relying on All Black fullback or winger Ben Smith to be the difference on the night. For the Chiefs expect massive games from Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams in both attack and defence and if the Chiefs can keep all 15 players on the park for the 80mins I expect them to get over the line in a tight game.
Stormers v Brumbies
Two teams, the Stormers and Brumbies, who like to throw the ball around face off early Sunday morning (Australian Time) at Newlands in Cape Town in front of what will be a vocal home crowd who aren’t afraid to let you know that you are on Stormers home turf and will be in the Brumbies ear for the whole 80mins. The Stormers will try and set the physical tone early against a Brumbies team that are more than willing of matching them in the rough stuff but will back their team to go wide at every opportunity with the ball in hand. The Brumbies will be basing their game on David Pocock’s ball pinching ability at the breakdown and halfback Nic White’s kick, pass running choices in attack. This game has the ability to have 70 points scored in it with a 2 point difference come full time or it could be a penaltyathon with the goal kickers been the most important players on the field. I expect the Stormers to get up on the home ground advantage with the players having slept in their own beds for the last three weeks and a vocal home crowd.
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