Super charged: Big game and Ma’a Nonu faces former team

David Skippers
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Making its return to Planet Rugby, we bring you Super charged, in which we preview the main talking points ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby action.

Game to watch – Bulls v Crusaders

The Bulls head into this match in Pretoria in a confident mood after returning to winning ways against the Waratahs last weekend, but they face their biggest test yet as the Crusaders have been in excellent form again this year.

The home side are currently sitting in joint top position on the South African Conference standings along with the Sharks but the Bulls have a superior points difference and also have a game in hand.

They welcome back veteran hooker Schalk Brits, who returns to action after serving a four-match suspension, while fellow Springboks Duane Vermeulen and Handre Pollard will also be influential. Also keep an eye on Lizo Gqoboka, who has impressed throughout 2019 and is currently one of the leading loosehead props in the competition.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders will be keen to return to the victory trail after drawing with the Sharks last weekend. The nine-time champions have been boosted by the return of All Blacks trio Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo’unga and David Havili and they will be hoping for a repeat of the 2017 result against the Bulls in Pretoria when they claimed an emphatic 62-24 win.

Player to watch – Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)

Despite the Chiefs’ indifferent form, Jacobson has come to the fore with several excellent performances on the blindside flank, none more so than last week’s showing against the Highlanders when he was superb in most facets of play.

The former All Blacks U20 captain emptied the tank in that match and his efforts on defence and attack helped his side to claim a deserved come-from-behind 31-31 draw in Dunedin.

That performance has led to calls for him to be a surprise inclusion in the All Blacks’ squad and he will be hoping to continue with his fine form when the Chiefs host the Sharks in Hamilton on Saturday.

Jacobson will start at number eight this weekend, however, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue with his good form in his new position.

One-v-One battle to watch – Will Genia (Rebels) v Tate McDermott (Reds)

As Australia’s first-choice scrum-half for several years now, Genia has seen off the challenges of numerous counterparts for the coveted Wallaby number nine jersey.

He will be keen to do the same to McDermott, who has emerged as a genuine contender for a Test call-up, and the battle between him and Genia should be one of the highlights when the Rebels host the Reds in Melbourne on Friday.

Although the Reds have battled to build momentum, McDermott has been one of their shining lights as he possesses lightning pace and has provided superb service to his outside backs throughout their 2019 campaign.

In Genia, he faces an experienced campaigner, who knows the tricks of the trade and the veteran won this personal duel with McDermott when the sides met in the corresponding fixture in Brisbane in Round Seven.

Subplot to watch – Ma’a Nonu facing the Hurricanes

Nonu is one of Wellington’s favourite sons, after representing them with distinction in two stints between 2003 and 2015, but he will be hoping to end his former team’s four-match winning run when they face the ‘Canes this weekend.

The 36-year-old is also in his second spell at the Blues but, unlike his previous stint with the Auckland-based franchise, in which he hardly set the world alight, Nonu has been one of the best centres in the tournament this year and is one of the two-time champions’ outstanding players.

His explosive power with ball in hand and ability to break the line has been the standout feature of his game throughout his career and he has been one of the tournament’s leading attackers in 2019.

He will be determined to come out on top against his former team, and his direct duel with fellow All Black Ngani Laumape will be one of the highlights of this game.

Best of the rest

After three games on Friday, Saturday’s action gets underway in Dunedin when the Highlanders take on the Jaguares, who will be aiming for their fifth successive triumph – after wins over the Bulls, Sharks, Brumbies and Stormers.

Elsewhere, in Johannesburg, the Lions will be eager to return to winning ways as they aim to climb off the bottom of the South African Conference table but they face a difficult task against the Waratahs, who are currently in second last spot in the Australian Conference.

And in the final match of the round, the Brumbies take on the Sunwolves in their top v bottom Australian Conference clash in Canberra on Sunday.

by David Skippers

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