It ended up being quite predictable and the top two qualifiers the Crusaders and the Chiefs will play off this Saturday night in the final. The old foes the Crusaders and Blues squared off in a thriller on Friday night as the red and blacks prevailed 21-14.
Mammoth defence won the game for the Crusaders as they defended their own line for what seemed an eternity at the end as the Blues threw everything at it.
Throw in a couple of Will Jordan tries and the script was perfect for the Crusaders. At halftime in the other semifinal, both the Chiefs and the Brumbies were in it up to their eyeballs. But the Chiefs exerted real scoreboard pressure in the second spell to run out convincing 37-17 winners.
Damian McKenzie nailed 6 penalties and a couple of conversions to prove you should take the points on offer when they are available in finals footy — it’s a simple game, really.
Down in Gore our comp is done and dusted with only the final to go.
As we’ve known for a while, Stephen from Level Electrical is our winner by a ridiculous 14-point margin — congrats mate, great work.
Darryl from Super Liquor is two points clear of Chris from Country & Co in second. Poor old Zac from Harcourts, as predicted, is sleeping with the wooden spoon for the summer, as he is 10 points off 7th and playing in his own sandpit.
Well done to all our tipsters for taking part and hopefully we’ll see you all again next year.
So it only leaves us to predict what happens in the final. The great thing about this final is it too close to call. The Crusaders have the advantage of playing at home but the Chiefs know how to win in Christchurch.
I get the feeling it may come down to how the "AB’s" in both teams play.
It is Taylor, Barrett, Havili and Jordan against Vaai, Jacobson, Sititi, Ratima and McKenzie. If it comes down to goal kicking, McKenzie could be the ace in the hole, based on current form.
There are X-factor players everywhere but Narawa and Jordan could light up the stadium. I’m no further ahead but the Chiefs are overdue and they may just get it done but it will be oh, so close.
