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Super Rugby Final: The key match ups

Richie Mo’unga and Elton Jantjes

Two teams with pretty contrasting styles will square off in the 2017 Super Rugby final. Let’s have a look at the main men for both the Crusaders and Lions.

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Richie Mo’unga v Elton Jantjes

Mo’unga has enjoyed a very successful season with the Crusaders, and now with Aaron Cruden out of the All Black picture is seemingly set for a test call up at some stage. Meanwhile Jantjes had a shaky start last weekend against the Hurricanes, but came back admirably to score a try and guide the Lions’ massive turnaround victory.

Ross Cronje v Bryn Hall

Cronje wasn’t the guy that everyone would start for the Lions at the start of the season, with He-Man lookalike Faf de Klerk playing the bulk of last season ahead of him in both Super Rugby and test matches. Hall has cemented his spot as the first choice number 9 in a tight battle with Mitchell Drummond this year, meaning both teams have serious depth at halfback on game day.

Malcolm Marx v Codie Taylor

Set piece was crucial for the Lions last weekend, with the Hurricanes’ lineout being targeted constantly. Marx went about his business making sure the Lions won all their ball and scrummaged effectively, as well as powering over for a try. Taylor has had more test rugby than he would’ve thought this year, and will need that sort of high pressure experience in front of a big Ellis Park crowd.

Kwagga Smith v Matt Todd

The Lions flanker is more than just a great name, Smith has leapt from Sevens specialist to integral part of the Johannesburg side’s finals charge this season.Todd, the ‘nearly-man’ of NZ rugby, has likewise toiled away on the side of a mostly dominant Crusaders pack. Smith is dynamite with ball in hand, while Todd’s work at the breakdown has to nullified for the Lions to gain parity in that area.

Sam Whitelock v Franco Mostert

Scotty and Mils debated the merits of these two on The Short Ball podcast during the week – however that was so far as how much you’d want either man to date your daughter. Whitelock and Mostert will be far more interested in what happens at lineout time during the final, although both are solid ball carriers in the open field as well.

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Nickers 19 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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