“We’re just looking for a good set-piece and applying a lot of pressure.” This was the response last weekend to commentator Brendan Cannon’s pre-match question to champion Sharks hooker, Bismark du Plessis. Clearly this is the – “simply stated but more difficult to achieve” - plan for success in finals rugby. The Chiefs and the Sharks were able to achieve both of these goals, each in the most testing of arenas. Both of the losing teams went close also, but not quite. Surely, these matches were as intense as rugby can get – I’m thinking just outside of the very highest level of international matches.
Pre-match thinking was that the Chiefs would be under the cosh from the all All Black frontrow (four of them) of the Crusaders, but Taumalolo’s focus at the first scrum was clear for all to see. His performance followed and stayed in place for the 80mins. On the other side of the scrum, Tameifuna’s work was equally admirable and he made some amazing tackles for a 120kg (plus), 20 year old in his first season of elite rugby. He is one right out of the box. And so one of the Crusaders’ most powerful advantages was somewhat nullified.
The Chiefs played the game at an almost frantic pace, in both attack and ‘off the line’ defence and this, together with their clearly ‘no-nonsense’ attitude in the contact zones, appeared to unsettled the Crusaders. McCaw seemed a bit off-colour at times and Daniel Carter was not quite up to his usual very high standard. When did he last miss-kick a crucial, relatively easy (for him) goal? On top of this, the loss, after 15minutes, of Luke Romano was also significant. Sure Tom Donnelly is an All Black, but Romano has been in top form and, in the tightest of contests, every single percent counts.
I loved the physicality of the contest – even though Craig Joubert didn’t, at times – and the speed of recycle and use of the ball. The dreaded “pod system” was nowhere to be seen – praise the Lord – and urgency of realignment meant that defences were always stretched. Passion and commitment, however, allowed that, for the most part, scrambling defences were up to the task. But consistent, maximum-level pressure exposed the slightest flaw and I, from the comfort of my living room, had my heart in my mouth for pretty much the whole game. It was fantastic!
Cruden has gone ahead in leaps and bounds. He is now a mature player with great innate skills. His uncanny footwork is a great foil for the more direct, but equally talented, style of both SBW and Kerr-Barlow, on either side of him. Add Retallick, Messam and Robinson and, at home, the Chiefs could go one better in their second Super Rugby final.
Meanwhile, back in South Africa, the Sharks continued their phenomenal run after a less than encouraging start to the season. To travel to “fortress-Suncorp” for a win over the Reds, then back to Newlands for victory again, is something to be proud of. Coach, John Plumtree, spoke of his team “growing” as they cleared one hurdle after another over the last weeks. Importantly, they have momentum and perhaps this vital commodity can balance a little the huge load of yet another long flight and an eight hour time difference. Still, hardship can harden the resolve and these Yappies are seriously tough hombres.
The midfield threat of the Sharks, also, is balanced by the singularly non-South African qualities of Freddy Michalak. He has never played better and, I figure, has developed even more under the disciplined, never-say-die, attitude of his new home. He may yet have a lot more to offer the French national team. For my money, JP Pietersen is also in the best form of his career and he would have been my man of the match. He would not be out of place at centre for the Springboks and they have a few wingers – they have a few centres also.
The Sharks frontrow is an enormous advantage to them, even though, in this match, Bismark du Plessis was somewhat handicapped by a huge knock after only 5 minutes. There was some thought that he may have to leave the field, but his courage and durability prevailed. That advantage will be vital against the Chiefs and I hope that next week’s referee does a more accurate job than Joubert and his assistants. I continue to be amazed – along with a few NZ commentators – that the Crusaders avoid consistent penalties at their scrum.
The Sharks’ game has nowhere near the same speed – in terms of ball use and movement - as that of the Chiefs, but they will impose their own game, whenever they can, and their huge physicality can carry this slower approach. They also have a bench that can make a significant contribution – and they’ll need it.
This will be a great final and, if the Sharks can win it, it will be the greatest of all Super Rugby Championship victories.
THE DEFINITIVE RUGBY COACHING WEBSITE.
| ← SHARKS FOR 10 MINS; CHIEFS FOR 70! | Reds Not Up To The Challenge. → |
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2012