sandal says...

God, but it's fun to read these things after the event!

I was delighted that two such enterprising teams should make the final. The beaten semifinalists could not match the Sharks and Chiefs for nerve, daring and panache.

A combined front row of Taumalolo, Du Plessis and Du Plessis is enough to make the mouth water.

Nice comment, new_j4a.

Posted 01:57 07th August 2012

ruckingkiwi says...

Michalak is an interesting prospect, sublime one week and ridiculous the next and he's had a couple good games in a row, so anything is possible... is he due?

And let's not forget a champion team always beats a team of champions, which is why the Chiefs are here to start with, and not the Crusaders.

Irrespective of the result, it's been a very positive season when a team with no starting All Blacks , yet lots of U20s players from the last 2 seasons has made the final.

Posted 21:24 02nd August 2012

Carpelone says...

Fair description PR.

Let's compare departments:

Front Row: Sharks

2nd Row: Chiefs

Back Row: Sharks

Outhalves: Chiefs

Centres: Tied if not Sharks;

Back three: Tied

Freshness: Chiefs

I am not releasing the correction factors (it is better to have a dominat front row rather than better back three).

Sharks will have to be monumental to sneak this.

Posted 17:35 02nd August 2012

APV1 says...

I have to say that I agree with all of the above, which in annoying - it's so much more fun to have controversies!

Chiefs by 6.

Posted 11:44 02nd August 2012

new_j4a says...

Craig Clarke v Willem Alberts Verdict: Tied Hhmmm, I was hoping not, best to wait and see rather than go all Ozzie and brag.

Anyway, rugby is ALL about the whole team being much greater than the sum of the parts, so this head to head is just picking lint out of our collective navel to make the damn time pass quicker.....if we beat the Chiefs, it will be a great day...they are hugely worthy opponents.

Posted 10:52 02nd August 2012