Our first semi-final this weekend is a New Zealand derby that should be an absolute cracker of a match, as semi-finals should be!
The Chiefs have been forced into a few backline changes, reverting to the tried and tested after a few unconventional changes were made for their last match of the regular season. Coming off a bye, this could count in their favour, as they are fresh and rested, but any momentum the team had has been lost.
The Crusaders started the season slow, but have been a force over the last few weeks, beating anything and everything thrown at them. They beat a hapless Bulls outfit last week, and will see this match against the Chiefs as one of the tougher encounters over the last few weeks, but will have the confidence to go out there and run at them.
Both these teams will be hoping for a Sharks victory tomorrow, as that would mean a final in New Zealand, for which ever of these two teams is victorious today.
Chiefs: 1. Sona Taumalolo , 2. Mahonri Schwalger , 3. Ben Tameifuna , 4. Craig Clarke (c) , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Tanerau Latimer , 8. Kane Thompson , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Andrew Horrell , 14. Tim Nanai-Williams , 15. Robbie Robinson.
Replacements : 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Ben Afeaki , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Sam Cane , 20. Brendon Leonard , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Lelia Masaga
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett , 2. Corey Flynn , 3. Ben Franks , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Samuel Whitelock , 6. George Whitelock , 7. Matt Todd , 8. Richie McCaw (c) , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Dan Carter (vc) , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Ryan Crotty , 13. Robbie Fruean , 14. Adam Whitelock , 15. Israel Dagg
Reserves : 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks,18. Tom Donnelly ,19. Luke Whitelock ,20. Willi Heinz,21. Tom Taylor ,22. Sean Maitland
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yeeha! Go Chuyfs!
I hope the Chiefs pull this one through, though it won’t matter much to me if The Sharks don’t pull through tomorrow
Chiefs 3 – 0 Crusaders
3 mins
Question is who would the Sharks rather play in a final should they win tomorrow? I reckon rather the Chiefs than the Saders.
What do you guys think.
Or maybe I shouldn’t be thinking that far ahead??
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : I think they would prefer to play the Chiefs rather.
Chiefs 3 – 3 Crusaders
15 mins
Go Rugga!
geez, how good is Cruden?
come on Chiefs! Where’s the finishing?
Try Chiefs!
TRY TAUMOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!!!!
Chiefs try – Taumalolo
Converted
Chiefs 10 – 3 Crusaders
28 mins
Just traded Taumalolo into my FL squad
Chiefs 10 – 6 Crusaders
32 mins
Chiefs try – Messam
another try! Superb. Cheers Richie McCheat and Den Kudda… off you go!
Converted
Chiefs 17 – 6 Crusaders
35 mins
@Ben (Comment 18) : So much for my SuperBru
@Die Kriek (Comment 19) : bugger SB! I’m willing to give away another accolade if the Chiefs win!
Crusaders try – Crotty
Half Time
Chiefs 17 – 11 Crusaders
@Ice (Comment 20) : But you have a trophy already!
What a difference a week makes
2 FL Tries so far
@FireTheLooser (Comment 24) : oh man – I love that avatar!
Chiefs 20 – 14 Crusaders
51 mins
Chiefs 20 – 17 Crusaders
62 mins
@robdylan (Comment 26) : When I saw it, I just had to have it
I’m hoping for extra time here.
yoh, this is tight.
I’m sure Justin Marshal sleeps in “Richie McCaw” pajamas
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) :
One try and conversion from Dan and I’ll be spot-on…
How much time left?
@JarsonX (Comment 35) :
About 7 minutes
@JarsonX (Comment 35) : 3 mins
@Pokkel (Comment 36) : @Ben (Comment 37) :
I’m confused 
@JarsonX (Comment 38) : 2 mins left now.
@JarsonX (Comment 38) :
I’m watching commentary on SS maybe behind.
1 min left now
Extra time would be nice….let them stuff each other further.
@Pokkel (Comment 40) : They are always behind with a few
Time up. Crusaders have the ball close to the Chiefs 22m.
Hang on Chiefs. Let’s see a new winner of the S15 this year.
Crusaders knock it
FULL TIME
Chiefs 20 – 17 Crusaders
Well done Chiefs!
Oh well
Chiefs win – Hamilton here we come!
Glad to see the Chiefs winning
Haha Richie, jou ma! I like seeing the look of defeat on his face
Go Sharks!!!!!
@Bokhoring (Comment 50) : And may that team be The Sharks
@robdylan (Comment 49) : I recon we have a much better chance there anyways
@KingRiaan (Comment 51) :
Isn’t just lovely!
one of my favourite moments as well.
@Pokkel (Comment 55) : One of the best things you will ever see on tv
Awwww shit man! I thought this was tomorrow!
Oh well. Glad the Chiefs won. Better chance against them.
@klempie (Comment 57) : And we are guaranteed for someone new to win the Super 15 – regardless of what happens
SupeRugby WILL have a new champion next week. Great stuff!
Will this serve as bigger motivation for us? Or for the Sturmerz….
I know who the Chiefs will be supporting tomorrow.
@Pokkel (Comment 61) : The more the merrier…
Hooo boy this result really is stuffing up the mood of many a Cape Crusader supporter, they were so convinced that they will be supporting their team in Cape Town at some stage. Last Saturday I witnessed how one of their supporters bought 10 tickets for tomorrows semi at Newlands, confident in the knowledge that the Reds would beat the Sharks. The Sharks were leading the Reds by a shed load at this stage and when Mr Cape Crusader was made aware of this he was no-plussed having the view that Genia will still win the game for the Reds.
I thought about this guy a few times during the week, wondering if he would now back the Sharks or the Stormers.
Two thirds of the teams remaining in the comp are Saffer teams….