Super Rugby Semi Finals – Kings of Super Rugby v Kings of the Jungle

After a breathless weekend of Super Rugby quarterfinal action, The Rugby Pod takes a look at the semi final lineup and predicts who will emerge from this year’s Super Rugby Labyrinth.

Congratulations to the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Lions and Chiefs for all deservingly making the SupeRugby semi-finals. Despite a ridiculously intricate and at times farcical format, it must be said that the four best teams did prevail.

Hopefully SANZAAR will rethink & fix the format before next season. Anyhow, let’s play ball. The Kiwis proved their tempo, which was akin to ‘Red Bull on Speed’ at times, with deft handling and great tactical kicking. They were far superior to their opposition.

Well, except for the boys of Johannesburg. At the outset of the season, The Lions were Currie Cup Champions of 2015. This, however, by no means guarantees Super Rugby success. They also had less Springboks in their squad compared to the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.

Lions v Crusaders:

Elton Jantjies, Warren Whiteley, Lionel Mapoe and Julian Redelinghuys combined, played less than ten tests. Due to their success, ending second on the SR overall table, Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel, Faf de Klerk and Ruan Combrinck earned their ‘green & gold’ stripes!

So what made them better than other South African teams? Coaches! In Johan Ackerman and Swys de Bruin, they had coaches who worked under John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer and have been building diligently over two seasons. Credit to them and the players.

Back to the semis.

1: The Hurricanes will face the Chiefs, who have to fly back from Cape Town, via Johannesburg & Sydney to Auckland. They then travel down to the ‘Cake Tin’ in Wellington. This will surely count in the home team’s favour. The loss, possibly, of Dan Coles, the world’s best hooker, will be a big setback and the chiefs have a magician in the form of McKenzie, but ultimately it’s hard to look beyond the Caines here.

Stormers v Chiefs:

Who will be the ‘Prince of Thieves’? Aaron Cruden vs Beauden Barrett? Daniel McKenzie or Corey Jane?

Who will be the ‘Gladiator’? Brodie Retallic or Ardie Savea?

2: Lions vs the Highlanders (defending champions). Altitude and the fact that the Highlanders will travel to South Africa, will be a big bonus to the Lions. Both teams like to carry the ball and have physical packs. Will the Lions’ power be enough? We all know the lion is a great predator, but not necessarily a fast one. These Lions however, are keeping pace with the Kiwi teams. Will the Highlanders run out of puff in the last 20 minutes? Perhaps.

Warren Whiteley’s leadership and Jaco Kriel will be the big guns and it will be a team effort from a well-coached outfit, rather than relying on international class players. In Aaron and Ben Smith the Highlanders have the two best players currently on the planet, and The Lions will need to be ruthless in defence and with their kicks.

Who will be ‘Prince of Thieves’? Aaron Smith or Faf de Klerk? Ben Smith or Ruan Combrink? Malakai Fekitoa or Lionel Mapoe?

Who will be the ‘Gladiators’? Jaco Kriel or Elliot Dixon? Warren Whiteley or Liam Square?

AussieBoer’s predictions:

Hurricanes vs Lions final.

Wriiten by Kevin D (AussieBoer) for www.TheRugbyPod.com

SARU Level III & ARU Level II

Hurricaines v Sharks:

Brumbies v Highlanders: