"Oh how the mighty have fallen" is a phrase coined
by smug losers with nothing better to do than revel in the misfortune of those
more successful than themselves. And in
Super XV, it's been banded about a fair bit in recent weeks – and it will be
stinging criticism to the ears of the Chiefs and the Sharks, last years' Super
XV finalists. Yes, this is a rematch of
the 2012 showdown, but these two powerhouses have been falling well short of
the benchmarks they've set themselves recently.
It is the first time these two teams will have met since the
Chiefs secured last year's title with a 37-6 victory, but unlike 2012, both
sides have been inconsistent this season and are battling to return to their
winning ways. The Chiefs are currently
in fifth position on the table, while the Sharks are in seventh place in the
standings, and both sides have lost their last two matches - the Chiefs to the
Reds and Waratahs and the Sharks to the Stormers and Cheetahs - and will head
into this match low on confidence.
But that shouldn't stop the Chiefs from throwing the ball
around in the manner that has made them such a success over the last couple of
seasons – although in their last 2 matches, they may have been guilty of
falling for their own hype and getting a little too free. They lack some of the directness that they
had previously, bringing accuracy and direction to all their flair, and that's
not helped by the huge hole left by Sonny Bill Williams. That's why the return of Richard Kahui –
starting at 12 – cannot be underestimated, and the powerful All Black will be
required to smash his side over the gainline to allow the fancy boys the space to
open their box of tricks. The Sharks
have exactly the opposite problem, with the Durban faithful being starved of
tries, precision and ambition from the South African outfit. Their injury list is appalling, but they
still have some quality players to deliver the goods, and there really is no
excuse for them having gone tryless in their last three matches. That's 240 minutes without a try – even fans
of the Six Nations think that's a little dull.
It's time they started finishing off the opportunities their powerful
pack inevitably creates.
The mighty haven't fallen just yet, they've just slipped
up. But a defeat here would make it very
hard for one of these sides to get back on their feet in 2013…
Chiefs Team News
Following the Chiefs two recent losses coach Dave Rennie has
made a host of changes to his side, which sees a total of nine new players in
this weeks starting line-up. Hooker
Mahonri Schwalger gets his second start of the season having returned from a
knee injury and is joined by lock Craig Clarke who is back in action after a
lengthy period on the sidelines. Prop
Michael Kainga gets his first start of the year in the front row with Toby
Smith. Nick Crosswell starts at No 8
after Fritz Lee has been ruled out with a broken index finger and Augustine
Pulu gets the nod at halfback. Richard
Kahui has proved to the medical team that he is fit to start, resuming the
second five-eighth position with Tim Nanai-Williams at centre and Gareth
Anscombe at fullback.
Starting Line
up: Gareth Anscombe; Lelia Masaga,
Tim Nanai-Williams, Richard Kahui, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Aaron Cruden, Augustine
Pulu; Nick Crosswell, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (co-captain); Brodie
Retallick, Craig Clarke (co-captain); Michael Kainga, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby
Smith.
Subs: Rhys
Marshall, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Bundee
Aki, Charlie Ngatai
Key Player
Brodie Retallick. The
big second row seems to grow in stature every season and once again he has been
an immense presence for the Chiefs. His
work rate and willingness to carry is phenomenal and his set piece ability
makes him a real nuisance to the opposition.
One of the few areas where I can see the Sharks frustrating the hosts is
in the set piece, but if Retallick can take the lineout away from them, it's
difficult to see where the visitors' platform will come from.
The Sharks have got an injury list as long as Danny
Cipiriani's "things to do to screw up my career" pamphlet. Paul Jordaan, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai
Mtawarira, Jacques Botes, Lwazi Mvovo and Louis Ludik are among the players
missing for the clash – as a result, Francois Steyn, Charl McLeod and Piet
Lindeque come into the back division. In
the pack, Lubabalo Mtembu, Derick Minnie, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis and
Craig Burden all start, while Wiehahn Herbst moves to loosehead.
Starting Line
up: Riaan Viljoen; Odwa Ndungane,
Francois Steyn, Meyer Bosman, Piet Lindeque; Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod;
Lubabalo Mtembu, Jean Deysel (captain), Derick Minnie; Pieter-Steph du Toit,
Anton Bresler; Jannie du Plessis, Craig Burden, Wiehahn Herbst.
Subs: Kyle
Cooper, Danie Mienie, Franco van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee,
Cobus Reinach, S'bura Sithole
Key Player
Pat Lambie. The
baby-faced 10 still looks like he still reads comics but his ability to take
advantage of any shots at goal handed to him make him integral to any hopes the
Sharks harbour against this Chiefs side – especially since they're not scoring
tries. Lambie will need to keep the
hosts pinned back as much as possible and ensure his radar is switched on off
the tee for there to be any upset on Saturday.
Key Battle
Tim Nanai-Williams v Francois Steyn. The electric Nanai-Williams was on the bench
last week but he regains the 13 shirt and will need to be at his explosive best
if the hosts are to take full advantage of this stuttering Sharks side. Steyn will present a stern physical test of his
defensive abilities, and the South African is smart enough to exploit any
positional errors at well, but if Williams can get one on one with space on the
outside, then it's game over – Steyn is no slouch but Nanai-Williams is
lightning. Raw X-Factor against
experienced physicality here – and if the Shark can shut the rapid centre down,
then he may find his side are able grind out the win.
Prediction
The Sharks are looking positively toothless at the moment,
with no real bite to their attacking play (apologies about the puns) – although
in part that may be down to their horrendous injury list. The Chiefs may have
stuttered slightly themselves, but I can't see them messing up at home –
especially since they won't be making the mistake of 'resting' key players this
week around (which, conversely, it what the Sharks seems to have done). I can see a repeat of last year's final
result. Chiefs by 10.
What else is happening in Super Rugby this weekend?
Hurricanes v
Stormers: The Canes are still
stuttering their way through the season looking great in parts and mediocre in
others, and the Stormers are pretty similar – but they've just come off a huge
win against fierce rivals the Sharks. I
think confidence is key and we may see a narrow away win. Stormers by 4.
Reds v Blues: Where the hell have the Blues come
from? All of a sudden, in the top three
and playing some great rugby, despite an absence of big names. They'll be up against it in Brisbane though,
with a resurgent Reds side in no mood to slip down the table – and I think
we'll see a home win. Reds by 8.
Brumbies v Force: The Brumbies played out a stunning draw
against conference rivals the Reds last week and will be keen to get back to
winning ways at home. The Force are a
much improved side recently but I can't see them turning over this talented ACT
team – Brumbies by 9.
Bulls v Waratahs: The Bulls claimed a morale boosting
victory with a crushing win over the Kings last week, and they're always a
difficult outfit to beat at home, but the Tahs will have a spring in their step
themselves at the moment after a great win over the Chiefs. I like the look of this Tahs side and I'm
going to take a punt on a surprise away victory – Waratahs by 3.
Cheetahs v Kings: The Kings came back down to earth with a
bump after a lame performance against the Bulls, and things won't get any
easier against a Cheetahs side defying all expectations and playing with a
superb level of ambition and accuracy. A
straight-forward home win is on the cards – Cheetahs by 12.
Crusaders
v Rebels: The hosts are having a real hit and miss season,
but at least that's better than their visitors, the Rebels, who are still
plagued by off-pitch issues. I think the
Crusaders will be looking to vent their frustration and the poor Rebels are the
poor souls in the way. Crusaders by 18.
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