Super charged: Big game, Lachlan Boshier to shine again

David Skippers

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

Game to watch – Sharks v Stormers

This clash between these heavyweights of the South African game has generated plenty of interest and although we are still in the early stages of this year’s tournament, there will be more than bragging rights at stake when these sides meet in Durban on Saturday.

The Stormers made a bright start to their campaign and made a statement of intent by winning their first four matches. That impressive form elevated them to the top of the overall table but they came unstuck in their previous match against the Blues at Newlands in Cape Town and suffered a shock 33-14 defeat against the men from Auckland.

To make matters worse, they also lost the services of star flanker and current World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, who injured himself in that match. That means the men from the Cape will be without three 2019 Rugby World Cup winners for this clash against the Sharks as fellow Springboks Siya Kolisi (back-row) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) were also injured earlier this year.

They face a Sharks side who are brimming with confidence after winning five of their first six matches so far this year, with their only blip being a 38-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Round Three.

Although both teams are loaded with outstanding attacking players, keep an eye on former Stormers number eight Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who has been one of the Sharks’ star players since joining the Durban-based outfit this year.

He will be keen to impress and, in doing so, help his new side secure the win against his former team-mates.

Player to watch – Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs)

The Chiefs have impressed under the guidance of their new head coach – former Wales boss Warren Gatland – and Boshier has been one of the players who has improved considerably since coming under Gatland’s influence.

The 25-year-old blindside flanker has played well since the start of the tournament and made his mark with several outstanding all-round performances which has helped the Chiefs reach the top of the New Zealand Conference standings.

Boshier has done well as a ball carrier as well as the execution of his defensive duties and is also a handy option in the lineouts, which makes him a vital cog in this Chiefs team. He has also caught the eye with his breakdown work and his ability to win turnovers – in tandem with Chiefs captain Sam Cane – means he is usually a marked man against all opposition.

On Friday, the Chiefs host the Hurricanes in the opening match of the round and don’t be surprised if Boshier receives special attention from the men from Wellington.

One-v-one battle to watch – Harry Wilson (Reds) v Muller Uys (Bulls)

Although these players are young and inexperienced, big things are expected of them and both will be key men for their respective teams when the Reds host the Bulls in Brisbane on Saturday.

Wilson made his debut for the Reds in a narrow defeat against the Brumbies in their tournament opener in Canberra, but despite that loss, he gave a good account of himself and has started every game since.

The 20-year-old has impressed on attack as he is not afraid to take the ball into contact and heads into this weekend’s round of fixtures as the player who has made the most carries (80) in the tournament.

Uys, who is a year older than Wilson, made his Super Rugby bow against the Highlanders just last week and helped the men from Pretoria to their first win of the season. He has been compared to Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen and like the 2019 World Cup winner Uys thrives on big physicality.

The 2019 Blue Bulls U21 Player of the Year will be determined to put his side on the front-foot with some strong carries against the Reds.

Subplot to watch – Blues eyeing their first home win in 2020

Despite being amongst the leading teams in the standings, after winning their last three matches on the road – against the Bulls, Stormers and Hurricanes – the Blues have failed to hit their straps when playing in their backyard as they are yet to win in Auckland this year.

Apart from those three away matches, Leon MacDonald’s charges also beat the Waratahs in Newcastle in Round Two but they tasted defeat at Eden Park – in their season opener against the Chiefs and against the Crusaders in Round Three – in their only two matches on home turf this year.

On Saturday, they return to the world famous stadium where they will go head-to-head against the Lions and the Blues will fancy their chances of giving their loyal supporters reason to cheer as their opponents have struggled when playing in Auckland. In 20 previous encounters between these sides, the Blues have won on 13 occasions.

Six of those games were played in Auckland and the Blues won all those matches, with the Lions’ only successes in New Zealand registered in Whangarei in 2001 and Albany in 2015.

Best of the rest

There are three other fixtures lined up for this weekend. In Brisbane, perennial tournament strugglers the Sunwolves face a tough challenge when they host the competition’s most successful side and current champions the Crusaders as the curtain-raiser to the Reds v Blues match.

Elsewhere, 2019 runners-up the Jaguares will be keen to return to winning ways when they take on the Highlanders in Saturday’s late game Buenos Aires. The Highlanders will be desperate for a win as they have made a slow start to the season after winning just one of their five previous matches.

Finally on Sunday, the Brumbies will be determined to consolidate their position at the top of the Australian Conference when they host another struggling side, the Waratahs, in what should be an entertaining derby in Canberra.

Blues