Super charged: Big game, Chief destroyer and Cornal’s back

David Skippers

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 – Crusaders v Hurricanes

As the tournament’s most recent winners and the two leading New Zealand teams in the competition over the past three seasons, there should be plenty of thrilling action when these sides meet in Christchurch on Saturday. Both made winning starts away from home last weekend, with the Crusaders beating the Blues in Auckland and the Hurricanes edged the Waratahs in Sydney.

After back-to-back tournament victories, the Crusaders will be highly motivated to continue with their impressive form in this tournament. The nine-time champions are yet to lose a home match in the competition since head coach Scott Robertson took charge of the team in 2017 and are currently on a 20-game winning run in Christchurch. Their last home loss came in Round 16 of 2016 when they fell to the Hurricanes, who went on to win the tournament that year.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are quietly confident under the guidance of their new head coach, John Plumtree, who was promoted to the role as Chris Boyd’s successor after three seasons as the team’s assistant coach. Last weekend’s win over the Waratahs was a good confidence booster for the side but the men from Wellington know that they have a much tougher assignment in Christchurch this weekend.

Player to watch – Damian McKenzie

The Chiefs will be boosted by the return of the All Blacks utility back, who has proven to be one of Super Rugby’s most exciting players and best game-breakers in recent years.

He lines up at fly-half for the Hamilton-based outfit’s clash with the Brumbies in Canberra and the diminutive playmaker will be expected to be at his best from the outset as the Chiefs look to get their campaign back on track after losing their opener to the Highlanders at home last weekend.

McKenzie’s brilliance on attack – especially his ability to create something out of nothing – is well documented which means he will be a marked man in this fixture.

One-v-One battle to watch – Andre Esterhuizen v Sonny Bill Williams

Although there will be several interesting battles across the park, when the Sharks host the Blues in Durban, the duel between these two physical beasts should be a highlight as it will be a case of the proverbial irresistible force coming up against an immovable object.

After playing off the replacements bench in the Blues’ opener against the Crusaders last week, Williams will be determined to make an impact from the get go. The All Blacks inside centre knows competition for places in the Blues’ midfield is tough and will be hoping to leave his mark on this match with a strong attacking performance especially with his brilliant offloading game.

But he faces a stern test against Esterhuizen, who thrives on his physicality and the 24-year-old Springbok enjoys the direct route with ball in hand. He’s also solid in the tackle and will relish the opportunity of testing himself against one of the global game’s undoubted superstars.

Subplot to watch – Cornal Hendricks’ return to the game

After spending the past three seasons on the sidelines due to medical reasons, the former Springboks, South Africa Sevens and Cheetahs flyer will make his return to big-time rugby when he runs out for the Bulls in their clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Needless to say, it will be an emotional return when the 30-year-old takes to the field as it’s been a tough journey since being diagnosed with a serious heart ailment shortly after joining the Stormers in 2016.

After that blow with the Cape Town-based franchise, Hendricks was forced into retirement and although he attempted to return to the game via the Southern Kings and Toulon, those attempts were thwarted due to his heart condition.

Despite those setbacks, Hendricks never gave up on his dream and his career was handed a lifeline when the Bulls gave him a contract for this season. He’ll be determined to repay their faith with a polished display this weekend.

Best of the rest

After suffering a humiliating 40-3 defeat to the Bulls in their opener in Pretoria last weekend, the Stormers will be determined to return to winning ways when they host the Lions at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Stormers’ forwards battled to get going and came off second best – especially in the tight exchanges – to their counterparts at Loftus Versfeld but face another daunting task against the Lions, who gave a good account in the forward battle in their win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last weekend.

The men from the Cape received a timely boost with the inclusion of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, who is set to play his first game of the season off the replacements bench in Cape Town. Expect fireworks when one of the enforcers of the South African game enters the fray.

Another player who will be determined to make an impact, after missing last weekend’s start to the season, is Wallaby utility back Kurtley Beale, who will be one of the Waratahs’ main playmakers in their clash against the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

In other action, the Reds will be hoping to get their campaign off to a good start – after a bye in the opening round – but they have a mountain to climb in Dunedin against a confident Highlanders side.

by David Skippers