SupeRugby PreJudgement: Crusaders v Sharks

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The Sharks take on the Crusaders in Nelson on Saturday to break a hoodoo that borders on the impossible. The Sharks have never beaten the Crusaders in a 'home' game in 15 years. The Crusaders have never lost a home knock-out game in their history. Record Breakers or Record Holders?                                                

SupeRugby Round 18 Recap:

The SupeRugby madness is finally over, now we can settle down and wait for these mouth watering knock out finals to arrive. The big talk is that of the Sharks beating the Bulls at Loftus and the Stormers secured 2nd place overall and get a week off this week.

• The Blues beat the Highlanders in what was a clear season of two halves for the Highlanders. They were sitting pretty but just didnt' have the depth and mental strength to pull through. The Blues were fighting for a top 2 spot and did all they could to secure it. Luke McAlister looked good again this week. Blues winning 33-16
• The Force eventually closed this game out and beat the newbies 27-24. The first half was rather boring but four tries in 13 minutes (two tries each) kick started this battle in the 62nd minute. Willie Ripia kicking the winning penalty with two minutes to play. James Stannard at pivot for the Force looked good again.
• The Chiefs hosted the log leaders in what proved to be a good old fashioned battle. The Reds were in control but nearly let it slip. Reds winning 19-11
• The Crusader won a relatively uneventful game against the Hurricanes in Wellington. One try scored by Robbie Fruean the rest of the games points came off the boot. Crusaders winning 16-9
• The Waratahs needed a win and really needed to take five points out this game, they were facing the unpredictable but poor Brumbies. Boy, were they poor. The writing was on the wall as early as the 2nd minute when Turner went over for the 'Tahs. Five tries, five conversions and two penalties ended a forgettable season for the Canberra based side and was a fitting farewell for Kurtley Beale. Waratahs winning 41-7
• Game of the day. Not many people would have put money on the Sharks winning their first game at Loftus since 2008. The Sharks, it must be said, executed their game plan to perfection and really took it to the Bulls. The game finished two tries a piece but 'was edge of your seat stuff' for the full 80 minutes. Patrick Lambie at fullback and Frederic Michalak at 10 were the difference. Sharks winning 26-23 and qualifying for the knock out stages.
• The fans were given an eight try bonanza in Bloemfontein as both teams dished up bonus points but the Stormers eventually running out winners by 10 points. The Stormers were looking at securing the number 2 spot which will give them a week off and a bye this week. They did it with ease and even though they have been struggling with injuries the did the job. A hat trick of tries by Rayno Benjamin for the Cheetahs was a great way for him to end his season. Stormers winning 44-34   

Player of the Week: Frederic Michalak
Team of the Week: the Sharks
WTF of the Week: The Cheetahs are the second highest points scorers for the season, 1 point behind the Crusaders.

SupeRugby Round 16 PreJudgement:

The Crusaders are the only team on a bye this weekend and therefore secure a valuable 4 points in their quest to make play-offs. The Sharks, Bulls, Highlanders and 'Tahs are facing not their first and definitely not their last season defining game this weekend. Lets dig in...

Highlanders v Force (Dunedin)
This is going to be a cracker but The Highlanders will be looking to bag 5 points here. The Force are without James O'Connor for the second week running but do have a very exciting half back pairing in Swanepoel and Stannard. The Force away from home and on the end of a poor season, I just can't see them taking it. unless of course the Highlanders completely butcher it.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 5

Rebels v Stormers (Melbourne)
Can you hear that? Its a storm warning in Melbourne...wow, that looks so much worse written than in my head, but it stays. As inspirational as this season has been for the new franchise, breaking the Stormers defense needs a little more than inspiration. Great midfield match up but that little battle will end in the Springbok pairing dominating. Kurt Coleman you beauty, this kid has put his hand up when the Stormers were quite simply, in poo! Yes, he has being playing with a quality outfit, but he has done well. Keep it up. As for his replacement....BLEH!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 21

Bulls v Waratahs (Pretoria)
This is going to be a hard and physically draining game for both teams. The 'Tahs are talking up a big game this week and saying they won't slip like they did last year at the same venue. Could it be? I doubt it. Danie Rossouw gets a well deserved start and will be tearing the Aussie team apart with his physical play, oh yes, then there's G.Botha, B.Botha, Matfield, Stegmann and Spies you have to keep an eye on too. I just can't see them out-muscling, out-running or out-thinking the Bulls.
PreJudgement: Bulls by 9

Hurricanes v Lions (Wellington)
Beware the wounded Lion. The Lions come off a great win last week and will be looking to build on it, the Hurricanes too. You look at the teams on paper and surely you would back the 'Canes, then again, you would have backed the Highlanders last week. Grobelaar comes back into the set up and I am not sure he will be up to the games pace but lets see.
PreJudgement: "Canes by 6

Blues v Chiefs (Auckland) 
This is going to be a proper battle. Looking at the Blues backline its pretty dangerous and so is he Chiefs one. The Blues have opted to bench Kevin Mealamu but I do see him making a massive difference when he runs on to the park. Tana Umaga starts at 12 after returning from injury with Richard Kahui outside him. A Cracker of a game awaits us.
PreJudgement: Blues by 4

Reds v Brumbies (Brisbane)
You can't see the Brumbies taking this one, the only thing they have in their favour is that the Reds have come off a massive battle against the Crusaders and they might underestimate them.....aaaah NOPE! Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie will not allow that. The Brumbies have been taking beating after beating this season and the last thing they want is to get smashed in a derby game.
PreJudgement: Reds by 11


Cheetahs v Sharks (Bloemfontein)
Mmmmm, crunch time for the Sharks. This game is making me a little nervous as the Cheetahs are looking good and are at home against the banana boys (now, that goes back some time). Plumtree has opted for Smit to start at prop and the Beast off the bench. I am a big John Smit fan but i do believe he is a hooker but lets wait and see because if you are going to get tested....Bloem is the place to go. Frederic Michalak returns for the Sharks and they will soon be welcoming Marius Joubert and Ruan Pienaar. Things are looking better for the backline now. Sias Ebersohn scares me as he is on fire.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 7

Another SupeRugby weekend to look forward too and some movement on the table.