Bok injury cloud grows, Crusaders back in business, Toulouse, Clermont set up fascinating title-decider, are our main points in this past weekend’s: things we learnt from Super Rugby Week 17 and the Top 14 semi finals.
Bok injury cloud grows
The news that Kwagga Smith has been ruled out for the rest of the Lions’ Super Rugby campaign would only have added to the general feeling of uneasiness Bok coach Rassie Erasmus must be experiencing at present. With the likes of, among others, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager and Warren Whiteley all nursing injuries, the Boks look set to test out a number of inexperienced players in the games leading up to the World Cup. With so little time left until their flight to Japan, Erasmus and his brain trust need to manage the fitness of their MVPs with the utmost care and consideration.
Crusaders back in business
After a poor run of five games in which the two-time defending champions lost once and drew twice, the Crusaders bounced back to claim an emphatic 66-0 win over the Rebels in Canterbury on the weekend. The hosts scored 10-tries in a match that surely means they are well and truly back on track despite some minor hiccups this season. Having already wrapped up top spot on the overall standings, their bye this week will see them only play again in a fortnight in what will be a home semi-final. Considering the determination and panache they displayed against the Melbournian’s, it again seems tough to bet against them making it a three peat in 2019.
Toulouse, Clermont set up fascinating title-decider
The French Top 14 concludes this weekend as the top two sides in the competition, Toulouse and Clermont, square up for what is set to be one of the most hotly anticipated finals in recent memory. Both outfits deftly swept aside the respective challenges of La Rochelle and Lyon in last week’s semi-finals while continuing to combine sheer muscle-power up front with some exhilarating backline play. The final is set to be as closely-contested as ever with discipline and physicality sure to define its outcome. With players like Damian Penaud and Cheslin Kolbe lining up against each other, it could be something special.
