Points to ponder ahead of tonight's rematch

The issues the semifinalists will have been thinking about this past week, ranging from the referee to which Ma'a Nonu turns up. The mistakes made at Aussie Stadium will still be fresh in the memory - for both sides. Repetition will spell disaster

Top two inches

Which side carries the most mental scars for this rematch, which team feels they have more room to improve, which side recovers best from that gruelling slog in Sydney just seven days ago?

Sailorgate

There was no question that Sailor's late exit last week unsettled the Waratahs and destroyed any backline rhythm. They have had time to readjust and return Sam Norton-Knight to midfield but the fallout continues with positional shifts for Mat Rogers and Peter Hewat, players who should be targeted by David Holwell's boot.

Five-Zip

The Tahs have been anything but Super playing the Canes in New Zealand since the series started. Five times they have crossed the Ditch and five times legged it back to Sydney with an L in their results sheet. But the Canes are getting closer, pipped by just two points last season.

Daniel Halangahu

Not listed as an original choice in the Tahs this year, the rookie first five-eighths has been asked to control this opening semifinal. He is a running talent but also a huge risk if Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe and Rodney So'oialo line him up.

The Canes by contrast have gone for the wise ways of Holwell, a safety-first choice to settle them before Jimmy Gopperth is used.

Semifinals

Three times the Canes have made it into the playoffs - 1997, 2003 and 2005 - and they are yet to contest a final. The Tahs were semifinalists in 2002 and last year when they advanced to contest the decider against the champion Crusaders. This semi pits two of the series most laconic coaches. Colin Cooper is in his fourth year in charge, Ewen McKenzie is running his third campaign.

Referee

If you believe Bob Dwyer, the Tahs are done for before they set foot in the Cake Tin. The reason? The appointment of Jonathan Kaplan to control the match. Some boffin has hooked up a stat that Kaplan has refereed the Tahs 14 times and they have lost all but once.

Ma'a Nonu

The gold and black curate's egg. Can be outstanding and exasperating all in the same movement. Has more ability than any other back in the competition to crack defences but is also prone to undo the good work with a sloppy pass or poor ball retention. Has mixed defensive productivity. If Nonu is in the zone though tonight, he can be the difference between the sides.

Discipline

The visitors have been parsimonious with their penalty concessions in the last few games while the Canes are under heat to reduce their penalty count because Hewat will be packing his boots tonight.

Tight five

The front rows may cancel each other out in the scrums but if Jason Eaton is unable to fire because of his ankle, Dan Vickerman and Al Kanaar will offer the Tahs a huge locking advantage. Watch for them to dominate the lineouts and exert massive pressure on the Canes jumpers and their starter moves.