![Justin Marshall: To nullify the Sharks' bite, look to attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Justin Marshall: To nullify the Sharks' bite, look to attack
You can attribute a large part of the Highlanders' demise last week to their struggles at scrum time against the Sharks.
You can attribute a large part of the Highlanders' demise last week to their struggles at scrum time against the Sharks.
Afew years ago there was a discussion at Crusaders' management and administration level about what would be considered a good season.
The last time Jean Deysel played against the Crusaders in Christchurch, he spent the night after the game with mixed emotions.
He's already at another level, but superstar fullback Israel Folau is hoping to raise his game to impossible new heights in the Waratahs' semi-final against the Brumbies tomorrow.
Nothing beats a grudge game and the whiff of verbal cordite is swirling ahead of the Super rugby semifinal between the Waratahs and Brumbies.
The Sharks swept the Highlanders before them in their qualifier by virtue of their powerful scrum but it is an area that the Crusaders, who possess their own heavy artillery, are likely to target in their semifinal.
Losing to the Sharks in pool play was so unlike the Crusaders, especially at home and with a man advantage after Jean Deysel was sent off early, they rarely got out of third gear.
Let's compliment the Highlanders on the way they approached the game against the Sharks, writes Justin Marshall.
It's been another confusing and often boring Super 15 season but Saturday night's semifinal clash in Christchurch should be well worth the wait, writes Chris Rattue.
Even though Henry Speight has been busy with the Brumbies for a while now, you still wanted to rub your eyes.
Todd Blackadder would have made the short journey from his home to the Crusaders' training base yesterday to begin the analysis for his team's semifinal in Christchurch.
Three years ago, Gareth Anscombe was on track to be an All Black. Now he is likely to find himself playing against the All Blacks in November as the 23-year-old first-five commits to Wales.
After years of selling itself as a global game when it never really was, rugby is poised to take grip in territories it has always dreamed of conquering.
The first half of 2014 has very much been the Jerome Kaino show. Maybe the second will belong to Steven Luatua, who appears poised to re-emerge as a genuine international force.
Watch a replay of tonight's live updates from the Super Rugby playoff match between the Chiefs and the Brumbies from GIO Stadium in Canberra.
A late expression of interest in the Super 15 has been filed from the Caribbean which will gazump any ideas about expansion to Singapore or Japan.
Of the eight new names to be announced among the Chiefs ranks in Canberra tonight, one will reverberate around GIO Stadium a little louder than most.
Last year Brumbies back Robbie Coleman was best described as a handy utility, getting the odd gig off the bench.
When the Highlanders look for a "How to beat the Sharks" guide, they can roll through the tape of their Anzac Day demo job in Durban.
The very fact that Sanzar decided to search by tender for its 18th team from 2016 is proof in itself that its latest expansion plan is flawed.
Coming out of the international break, the Brumbies were three points adrift of the Waratahs and strong contenders for the Australian conference crown.
The return of Richie McCaw to the Crusaders for their semifinal next Saturday will present coach Todd Blackadder with a dilemma. Where to play him?
White knows that losing just as easily becomes a habit and that is why the Sharks were so desperate for a turnaround in fortunes before the play-offs after the loss to the Cheetahs.