Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Crusaders vs Sharks | Saturday 26 July | AMI Stadium | 09:35
The most decorated side in Super Rugby history, those ferocious fellows from Canterbury, host arguably the competition’s unluckiest side in the first of the weekend’s brutal semi-final encounters. The Crusaders, despite their feeble form in the early days that had them cavalierly anchoring the Kiwi conference seven rounds into the action, finished off the regular season in a commendable second spot. An achievement that brought with it an invaluable week’s break before the semis. The Sharks were allowed no such luxuries after clumsily throwing away their season long reign atop the consolidated table with questionable form in the final rounds of the competition against considerably weaker opposition. Can Jake White’s tourists laugh in the face of logic by embarrassing the ‘Saders in Christchurch for the second time this season, or will Todd Blackadder’s men unleash vengeance fuelled horror at home this Saturday?
To Win (80mins)
Crusaders 3/10
Sharks 26/10
Draw 30/1
Handicaps
Crusaders (-7.5) 9/10
Sharks (+7.5) 9/10
Crusaders
Todd Blackadder has named an unchanged backline this week, making just two pack changes to the side that humiliated the Highlanders 34-8 in their last outing. Game changing All Black Richie McCaw returns to the action this week after recovering from a rib injury that has kept him sidelined since the June Internationals. In the front row, Corey Flynn starts at hooker and earns an impressive 150th cap for his club. They help make up the fear-inducing Crusaders pack which boasts the likes of Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and skipper Kieran Read. In the backline, Kiwi superstar Dan Carter remains in the unfamiliar position of inside centre as incumbent pivot Colin Slade is trusted once again to direct the venomous Crusaders attack.
Sharks
Jake White has made several prudent changes to his side this week. Most importantly, Frans Steyn’s ineffective stint at pivot comes to an end as he shifts back to his more suited position of inside centre. This means Springbok Pat Lambie returns to the starting XV after appearing on the bench last week in what was his first game in almost four months. Paul Jordaan shifts down the line to outside centre, forcing the evasive JP Pietersen back to wing. The injured Anton Bresler is replaced in the second row by flanker Willem Alberts, with Jean Deysel coming in for him at seven.
VERDICT: Crusaders (-7.5) 9/10
Since returning from the international Test window the Sharks have failed to find the form that saw them commanding the table for much of the season. And with a completely reshuffled attack running out against a peaking Crusaders outfit, their chances of pulling off a second victory in Christchurch this season are very slim. The Crusaders, hungry for revenge and a place in what will be their eleventh Super Rugby final, are sure to be at their most clinical this Saturday.
Think we’ve got it wrong? Well leave your comments below and tell us how you think this is going to play out.
