View photosKEY POINTS:
For the inside running on this year's tournament, we have been tracking the views of the experts - diehard supporters from each franchise
BLUES
Mark Sumich masumich@xtra.co.nz
WE MADE IT THIS FAR ... because we scored a whole heap of points early on, when everyone else was at the beach. The close wins were achieved under duress. Despite a late form lapse, they got the chocolates at Perth.
I HOPE MY TEAM HAVE SPENT THE WEEK ... concentrating on starting well again - it will be important to try to take the crowd out of the equation. Then tackling practice.
I'LL WATCH THE GAME ... live at home (after a kip), while being inundated with texting from sour Chiefs fans.
FROM THE KICKOFF THEY'LL HAVE TO ... keep their heads - hopefully they have brought their A-game and tackle, tackle, tackle. Huge matches required from Troy Flavell, Jerome Kaino, Isa Nacewa, Doug Howlett, one out of the bag from Isaia Toeava and one off the bench from Keven Mealamu. Time for John Afoa, Greg Rawlinson, Steve Devine and Anthony Tuitavake to step up. Expect the boys to give Percival a hard time and for the Aussie ref to remember Anzac loyalties. Get in front and force the errors - this will be a feather in their caps.
ALL OVER OR ALL ON? No question this will be the Blues' second to last match this year - expect them to leave a little petrol in the tank for the following week.
AND THE FINAL? Blues trek to Loftus for the final after Richie's boys have softened them up and the Blues bring the silverware back to Auckland 37 days after leaving.
SHARKS
Ann McAdam pro@sharkssupporters.co.za
WE MADE IT THIS FAR ... because the draw was in our favour. It enabled us to play at home first and win, building up vital points. Playing and training in the extreme Durban weather early on made the team strong and added further conditioning. The Sharks' defensive system, coaching skills and leadership, with phased in mixing of youth and experience have helped us get to this stage.
I HOPE MY TEAM HAVE SPENT THE WEEK ... Focusing on the Blues' earlier games and scrutinising their strengths and unlocking their pattern of play. Hopefully, not too much pressure has been placed on the players in training, the skills are there, just fine-tuning and not thinking about the FINAL - the rest will take care of itself.
I'LL WATCH THE GAME ... Sharks Supporters' Club, based in Northcliff, Johannesburg, along with 150-plus passionate fans.
FROM THE KICKOFF THEY'LL HAVE TO ... take the Blues centres out of the game, by cutting down their line of attack and slowing down their distribution out wide. Use our tight five and loose forwards to gain momentum and set up a platform for our back three to attack.
ALL OVER OR ALL ON? On to bigger things.
AND THE FINAL? The Sharks will host the final in Durban against the Crusaders.
CRUSADERS
Lucy Rowe lucy-rowe@hotmail.com
WE MADE IT THIS FAR ... because the team is experienced, dedicated and work hard. As the cliche goes, success only comes before work in the dictionary. The semifinal position is well deserved but we all know there is still work to be done.
I HOPE MY TEAM HAVE SPENT THE WEEK ... training well and communicating clearly, with the composure of a team that knows what it needs to do, this week, and this week is all that matters!
I'LL WATCH THE GAME ... After seeing Victor Matfield's speech following their demolition of the Reds, I nearly booked tickets to South Africa but common sense prevailed. I will be watching in the comfort of an armchair in the company of friends.
FROM THE KICKOFF THEY'LL HAVE TO ... be composed and apply consistent pressure. Amid the madness of Loftus Versfeld and Bulls rugby the Crusaders will have high expectations of themselves.
ALL OVER OR ALL ON? The Crusaders are experienced enough to know it's critical to focus on one week at a time, this season has had its ups and downs but that's irrelevant now. This week is all that counts and this Crusaders team have all the skills they need to get the result we want.
AND THE FINAL? Crusaders v Blues at Jade.
BULLS
Jan Oberholzer jober@mweb.co.za
WE MADE IT THIS FAR ... because we changed our game plan from a forward dominated one to one of total rugby. The combination between our big forwards who outmuscle the opposition and our speedy backs works well. With the young phenomenon Pierre Spies returned to the team his speed and strength give us the options to play wide.
I HOPE MY TEAM HAVE SPENT THE WEEK ... thinking how to stop Daniel Carter from winning another semifinal for the Crusaders.
I'LL WATCH THE GAME ... in Pretoria sitting in front of my TV, because I must analyse the match for my rugby coaching website www.joberrugby.com
FROM THE KICKOFF THEY'LL HAVE TO ... take control of the Crusaders forwards as fast as possible so that they can unleash their speedy backs.
ALL OVER OR ALL ON? With this radical new game plan for a Bulls team it can only lead to better things.
AND THE FINAL? Bulls and the Sharks in Durban.
