Super 14 - Blue Bulls v Crusaders

23 May 2009

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

It's the Bulls the lone SA side left who topped the table and will host the final should they best the Crusaders this Saturday and they'll need that to have any chance of lifting the S14 trophy...

The Bulls are the only side standing between a NZ side winning this seasons S14 and although I have been critical of them for the whole season you have to rate their chances of advancing here,they are at home and have been unbeatable there this season,it is not the talent of this Bulls side that makes me question them it's their overall effort,the Bulls win at home you cannot question that but they do not win away or struggle to anyway,only a few rounds ago the Bulls played the Crusaders over here and lost and yet with myself included I feel they are the more likely side to win this game,but the question for me about the Bulls is always the same how can a venue at this level alter your style of play and and yet have a winning percentage away from home that is disastrous? That's why I question them because of that,the Bulls are the favs and with Botha getting off at are full strength heading into this clash and should win it,I have always liked the bulls and Springboks style of play because they are still playing the traditional style of big hard forwards and defensively sound backs and if you like the game for all it's merits you have to appreciate that and even more so because that style of play took the Boks to the become the World Champions only a short time ago,but in this game they will face a side who have the pedigree to win and are the defending Champions.

The 2009 version of the Crusaders does not have the star quality of previous sides from that franchise but they do possess the same fortitude and ability to win tight games and they are certainly a chance to bring the final back to New Zealand.the Crusaders do have a history of performing well at Loftus Veersfeld in Pretoria with wins there in 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2008. But that will not be enough for them to win,Brad Thorn will likely be back this week and they'll need him to be there as the Bulls are all big units and will get a roll on this Crusaders pack,the Crusaders though have been great at slowing the ball down all season long and especially in crucial times at have really been great over the last few weeks at doing that is more the point and that will be a positive for them for sure here today,the Crusaders have been the Supreme force in the S14 for a very long time now and I like everyone else thought that they would be well down this season on firepower and in many ways they they are but the talent they have brought through this season and last seem to of brought the same attitude of the old Crusaders to this side with them and with that they appear to be believing in themselves wholeheartedly and although I like the Bulls to win this game I can't discount the Crusaders of doing that instead.

I am a big believer in having Courage,without it you will always lose or not perform to your best all the time in anything you do not just sport and in many ways this Crusaders side has that,they enter every game thinking they can win it whether ugly or not they believe they can win and that is a sign of Courage and with that you can go a very long way,the Bulls are at home and they have been unbeatable there this season but the Crusaders enter here having faced this before in the 07 season going down 27-12 but in that game they were well in it and could of won it had they taken their chances earlier in the game and that will still be in Mc'Caws mind as well as a few other in this Crusaders side today.l

This game is not a good betting game as the Bulls are likely to win it but you can't count out a champion team and so if you must bet on it have a small bet on the Crusaders and enjoy the game,they have won 5 of the last 6 between the two sides and could easily get up again in this game,beware the Crusaders come finals time,the Game will be fantastic just sit back and enjoy the game...Good Luck.