Kieran Read on his way to scoring the first of 5 Crusader tries.
No one needs to tell the Crusaders how to prepare for big games. They have been masters at it over the years.
But they of all people will know the brilliant semifinal victory over the Sharks is a false read – the South Africans were an embarrassing mess in Christchurch.
NZ Herald
It should be near impossible for a team as good as the Sharks to play as badly. They were disgracefully disorganised, the skills were awful and their general kicking was abysmal.
Even penalty kicks for touch missed by metres. The Crusaders matched/beat the vaunted Sharks scrum and maul.
Todd Blackadder turned the Crusaders around this season just in time. Bravo Blackadder. Good recruitment – namely power wing Nemani Nadolo – and selection alterations have added vital power.
Here is the question for the Sharks and South African rugby in general.
Is coach Jake White (and those of his ilk) good for their game? Once again, there is the feeling that South Africa falls short of its potential.
Only the Cheetahs – who do not challenge for titles – have ever really broken the mould. Creativity shows its head now and then, before being shoved back in the drawer.
There will be very little sympathy for the Sharks. Even at their best, they would have tried to barge and kick their way to a semifinal victory.
A clash of styles is what all sport is about. But South Africa is still stuck in a rut. Maybe they need more overseas coaches to take a leap forward.
Actually this was a much better weekend for SA, only one of our teams got embarrassed.
Huge step in the right direction, we are used to seeing at least 4 teams over a weekend getting smacked.
I totally agree with this article and statement. If I look at the Bulls, their coaching staff has tunnel vision. They need something fresh.
@ leon:
And that’s why we keep losing to the All Blacks as well.
And this year the Aussies will be the AB’s biggest threat, not the Bokke
nortierd@3:
Ja, although I expect the bokke to be better than the last 2 years. I do think that Heyneke is trying to play a more balanced game.
If Bulls, Sharks and Stormers cannot smash their opponent into the ground, they cannot win.
NEXT YEAR WILL TOTALLY BE THE SHARKS’ YEAR!!!!
The Shell Shocked Sharks, sell sea shells at the sea shore..
Fok they were terrible today!
grootblousmile wrote:
Please withdraw that comment GBS….as a Stormer supporter I take offense.
We were terrible this whole year and to say that the Sharks were terrible is an insult to us Stormers.
@ grootblousmile:
Wouldn’t BMT Lambie have saved them?
Stormersboy wrote:
Same as last year miss Sophie?
😉
leon wrote:
The only BMT that mob knows when it comes to playoffs is Bacon Mayonnaise and Tomato
@ grootblousmile:
Wonder if that banner has been removed from their locker room already?
11 @ leon:
Bwahahaha
Flok, double flok… they were sooooo kak today!
@ nortierd:
So what excuses will Jake use? Will RT take bets?
Just watched the game… Norty was spot on… the choke would kick in during the playoffs…
Man they were poor…
leon wrote:
The travel and fatigue. HM didn’t listen to me when I said don’t overplay my boys… Fortunately hanglip Frans listened to me, but how uber was he too… Just saying
Emoworld devastated in ‘our’ boys… Shame I feel for them…
leon wrote:
I’m also dying to hear 😀
He’s used the 1st and 2nd place are favorites already….so the travel will also come in somewhere.
Interestingly though, earlier this week Dr. Ross Tucker said travel and home town ref is worth 10 points for the Saders, so they only lost 28-6
And by the same token, does that mean the highlanders actually beat the Sharks by 6 points last week?
The Golden Era is only in the making… Stormerboy spot on… next year will be the year of the Shark…
@ Gumboots:
Lol, I had a wee go in the rant and rave column, actually mentioned that we are lucky Frans took a hike and doesn’t want to play for the Bokke 😉
nortierd wrote:
@ Gumboots:
Or maybe he will blame the format again. Come to think of it, he already made he’s excuse. No he will sit back and show everybody how right he was.
Gumboots wrote:
Currie Cup , check
Conference Cup, check
a Trophy actually worth something, cheque book needed
@ Gumboots:
I see StormersBoy threw the Conference Cup winner comment on RT for them to mull about
nortierd wrote:
…that is what happens when you think your team is more important than the Boks…
Boom – backfire boomboom
nortierd wrote:
…he does it so tongue in cheek…
Were any Shark supporters online today?
@ leon:
The Sharks may have lost but Jake never lose
Watching the replay now, not Lambie’ s fault, Reinach was below par and his forwards were MIA, except for Coetzee and Kanko.
In hindsight, Frans and McLeod should have started, Jordaan benched for Sithole maybe.
Worst out of hand kicking seen in the comp this year though.
Gumboots wrote:
No
I made a comment earlier how ironic it was that of the 4 semi final teams only one blogger, BrumbiesBoy actually supports one of them.
24 @ Gumboots:
Gummi Berry Juice,
I got your mail about your Son In Law’s Registration… something must have gone awry and he did not complete his Registration… he was supposed to have received a Mail Link and confirmed his own Registration.
Give me a few Minutes to check on the SQL Data Base… to see what happenned… and to delete his failed attempt… then I would want to do a MANUAL Registration for him.
Will mail you and ask that you Phone me on my Office No… my Cell is out of action and in for repairs at Samsung.
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