Super 14 - This Weeks Preview

Where once there were 14, now stands only four.

For the most part, there can be no arguments about the makeup of the finals for this year's Super 14. From a New Zealand perspective the Blues and the Chiefs had their chances but the Crusaders and the Hurricanes were the more consistent teams. The Waratahs were the best performed Australian team and considering the turmoil with the coach mid season it really is a top effort to finish second. The Sharks are the best South African team, though the Stormers really played excellent football to the later part of the season and only stumbled at the final hurdle when a bonus point win would have seen them through in their final game.

So it leaves us with two very interesting games and ones that could be a lot closer than some experts suggest. Firstly the Crusaders should not only beat the Hurricanes they should win the competition. They have the best record, best players, best coach and most importantly are the best team. They are also nearly impossible to beat at home which is another headache for the Wellintonians. Having said that, I think the Hurricanes have the best chance of anyone of beating the Crusaders.

I think the Crusaders would have been secretly praying that they would play a South African team first week of the finals instead of their fellow countrymen. The Hurricanes have played great football this year in patches and are the sort of team that are nearly unstoppable at their best. There is a lot of history between these two sides and the 'Canes will throw everything at the Crusaders who can't afford to have a bad day. It would be a major upset for the 'Canes to topple the best disciplined side in the competition but stranger things have happened and I will be taking the Hurricanes with the start.

The other game sees the Sharks travel to Sydney to face the Warratahs. The Warratahs have built their season on hard fought close victories in the wet though they will have to vastly improve to beat the Sharks. The Sharks team is chock full of experience and belief and have many players who played in last year's losing grand final team and in the winning World Cup team. The Tah's, on the other hand, have all the pressure and not much experience. Being a New South Welshman myself, I will be cheering on the boys but I will have my hard earned on the Sharks both straight out and on the line. Sportsbet.com.au is the best place for all betting on the rugby and has the Sharks at a very inviting price.

• 
• 
• Email to a friend
• Print