An all-Kiwi final would be just Super
The Chiefs won’t beat themselves, but the Hurricanes might. That’s your fear with them.
Anyone not think the Hurricanes are the best team left in Super Rugby? Partiality aside, it would be a brave person who said the Hurricanes weren’t the semifinalist in the hottest form and didn’t have, by virtue of home advantage, the easiest run to the title. Whether they go on to win it is a different story, but it’s hard to imagine a team better-positioned to do so.
They certainly won’t get a better opportunity to shake off their reputation as one of the competition’s lovable losers.
The Chiefs, Lions and Highlanders all have legitimate championship claims, just not as compelling as the Hurricanes’. They’re the team that kick the semis off by hosting the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night.
HURRICANES v CHIEFS
The Chiefs won’t beat themselves, but the Hurricanes might. That’s your fear with them.
The Hurricanes’ halves pairing of Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara are playing with a combination of brilliance and control that people imagined they might one day, but didn’t think they’d actually see. It’s been a reality in the wins over the Waratahs, Crusaders and Sharks in recent weeks and ought to inspire confidence in Hurricanes fans.
Only, false dawns and unfulfilled dreams are a staple of Wellington sport. That means no-one who’s watched the Hurricanes for any length of time will truly believe they can win this title, until they actually do it.
This isn’t the most-talented Chiefs team of all-time. But it still boasts the odd remnant of the 2012 and 2013 championship-winning sides. In fullback Damian McKenzie they also have a player capable of matching the freakish things Barrett has been doing for the Hurricanes.
This is definitely the pick of the semifinals you imagine there’ll be no more than a handful of points in it.
LIONS v HIGHLANDERS
If the Highlanders go on to become back-to-back champions, everyone will have to tip their cap to them.
From South Africa, to Argentina, Australia and now South Africa again, they’ve hardly been home in recent weeks and that appears the most likely thing to halt their run. The Highlanders are one of those everyone’s-second-favourite-team type outfits, because of the rugby they produce and they way they produce it.
Selfless seems the most accurate word for their forwards. There’s no stars there, no Ardie Saveas who are going to bust a tackle in their own 22 and run the length of the field.
But the physical sacrifice they make every week is exceptionally admirable and you wish them every success.
And if you played with Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith you’d probably put your body on the line too. That quartet’s ability to create and take opportunities is amazing at times.
The Lions have earned a reputation as the South African side most-capable of ‘‘playing’’ but it’s not at the speed the Highlanders do. The Highlanders are better than the Lions and it’s only travel that can trip them up.