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Super Rugby Final 2014 Preview

Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!


Waratahs v Crusaders | Saturday 02 August | ANZ Stadium | 11:40

The final hurdle in the race for Super Rugby supremacy takes place in Sydney this Saturday, as the Waratahs clash with the Crusaders for the first time this season. This is the third time that the two Australasian powerhouses will face off for the silverware, with the lads from Canterbury having proved too tough for their counterparts back in 2005 and 2008. But both of those trophy clinching performances took place in Christchurch. To do ‘the dirty’ on the ‘Tahs for a third time, they’ll need to do something no other side has done all season, win in Sydney.

To Win (80mins) 
Waratahs 15/20
Crusaders 11/10
Draw 25/1

Handicaps
Waratahs (-1.5) 9/10
Crusaders (+1.5) 9/10

Waratahs
The Waratahs, hosting their first ever grand final, pushed past a determined Brumbies outfit last week by presenting what was probably their greatest defensive display of the season, making a mammoth 107 tackles and restricting the visitors to single try. But the Waratahs were far from their possession-hogging best last week, with the Brumbies effectively disrupting the natural attacking play that saw the ‘Tahs finishing the regular season a whopping seven points clear of the Crusaders. And it is hard to imagine them securing a similar result this week if they are forced to defend for most of the match. Unsurprisingly, coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged side for Saturday’s showdown, with hard-hitting South African Jacques Potgieter retaining his spot in the second row alongside Kane Douglas, who makes his final Waratahs appearance.

Crusaders

The Crusaders have the psychological advantage going into this clash, having won their last eleven matches against the side from New South Wales. But judging by last week’s annihilation of Jake White’s Sharks side, this All Black laden Crusaders outfit have no need for mind games. The Crusaders have also named an unchanged side for the title decider, with coach Todd Blackadder backing his current setup to put an end to their title drought, having last secured the silverware back in 2008. Colin Slade has grown into a world-class flyhalf this season, with his effective kicking game proving valuable enough to keep superstar Dan Carter at inside centre. 2013 IRB Player of the Year, Kieran Read, has made an impressive impact in the Crusaders camp after returning from injury, running a solid 62 metres against the Sharks last week, and will undoubtedly play a big part in the breakdowns this Saturday.

VERDICT: Crusaders 11/10
The Crusaders were by far the more clinical of the two home semi-finalists last week, and with the likes of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Kieran Read relatively fresh at this stage of the competition, it is difficult to bet against the visitors picking up their ninth Super Rugby title this weekend.

Think we’ve got it wrong? Well leave your comments below and tell us how you think this is going to play out.

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