It is always difficult to predict what is going to happen in semi-finals in any competition, since at times the outcomes are not as easy as oiit would seem to be from looking basically at past performances.
Tae for instance also the example of yesterdays play-off games. Virtually all the fundi predicted relatively easy wins by the Brumbies and Sharks - but the eventual outcome is not as easy as the rugby scribes and others predicted it to be.
The Brumbies had forward domination on their side - the Chiefs forwards this year cabn at best be described as iffy - yet at one stage it seems as if they ran out of steam - or maybe rest on their laurels because of the comfortable point margin they gained early in the game.
On the other hand the Sharks fiorwards dominated throughout the game - but their backline was disfunctional and too much good possession was gumbled or kicked away aimlessly.
The Crusaders - Sharks Game
The Crusaders had at times in 2012 and 2013 struggled against the Sharks. In 2013 they lost th round-robin game in Durban and this year they also lost the game at home. They have the Daniel-Carter factor in their favour this time around.
What is amazing in the 2014 game is that they got sucked into the Sharks playing style and lost out badly - even when the Sharks for 55 minutes only had 13 players on the field of play and for 65 minutes only 14.
That places question marks over the Crusaders capacity to win the game on Saturday. If they go in and do not play their natural game - they are going to struggle against the Sharks.
The Sharks on the other hand played "stupid" rugby on Saturday. They had a surfeit of possession and manage to aimlessly kick away much of that. Their backline was completely malfunctioning and only really used as a defensive mechanism wit too many failures n defense being a major problem.
The Sharks kicking game may be much m,ore effective with Lambuie at fyhalf - but Francois Steyn this year was poor in general play - whether he plays at fklyhalf or center and is not a creative backline player. The backlne functioning problem is set to continue as long as he is in the backline - whether at flyhalf or at center.
So what does all this teach us? I think the Crusaders should win at home - but there are ifs and buts attached to that outcome - so my prediction is a home win for the Crusaders by a narrow margin.
The Waratahs-Brumbies Game
The Waratahs i by far the strongest team in the competition this year and there should be an official inquiry if they lose against the Brumbies. The Waratahs have by far the better backline of the two sides. Their forwards can match the Brumbies forwards as well.
My guess is a relatively easy win by the Waratahs against the Brumbies - but stranger things have happened in rugby and their could be an unexpected upset as well.
Summary
I think the Crusaders and Waratahs should end up in the final - but there is an upset possibility in the Crusaders-Sahrks game.
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