The First semi final kicks off on Saturday Night here in NZ at 7.30pm and it sees the two finalists from two years ago in the Crusaders and Hurricanes face off for a place in the Final,lets hope for no fog this time as last time these two meet in the Final on a Saturday Night in Chrustchurch the game was fogged in and you could'nt see much at all on the Telly,Please no Fog this year.

The Crusaders come into this semi on the back of some not so good form,they lost to the Highlanders in the last round last week and lost last years final match before losing their semi in SA,but this Crusaders side stem from a long line of winning teams and a loss is'nt to much for them to take,if anything it has probaly steeled them for the match ahead,but their form has been patchy to say the least,their last 5 matches have been very strange to watch for people in NZ,the Crusaders are the Champions of the game and always either shut teams down early or can always come up with that game winning play late in the game,they have been getting it done but it has'nt been the same way we are used to seeing them get it done,their last 5 matches have resulted in 2 losses and 3 very narrow and lucky wins,they lost to the Cheifs 15-8 5 matches ago and were looking very ordanary the week before in which the Lions held them untill half time,the week after they beat the Blues and did it with a very lucky call thanks to the Touch judge who did'nt rule the Crusaders player in Maitland had stepped out of the field of play and they Won,the next week they only just hung on against the Sharks 18-10 and then had to come back against the Reds in Brisbane to win that game before the big loss last week to the Highlanders,they have made it but the Crusaders usually start their seasons badly and come right towards the end of the Tournament,this season they started awesome and are now fading towards the death,the Canes are a big,big Chance here tonight.

The Hurricanes are sweating on the fitness of Soialo but he will play and with that the Hurricanes are at full strength,to be honst with you all I favour the Tahs to win the Tournament but this match is crucial as really the only sides who can really get to the Crusaders are the NZ sides as we all play the same here and it really cmes down to who wants it more,the Hurricanes can win this game,their last match against the Crusaders they lost this season in Wellington 13-20 but the start really cost them ,the Crusaders were in in the first 5 mins in that match and pretty much were on the front foot for the rest of the First half,the Canes came back in the second half but the damage had been done and the Crusaders won,but the game itself showed there was'nt much between these two sides and the Canes have gotten better since then also,The Hurricanes defence is the key for the win,they have been great at closig out other sides for large poarts pf their games and another good defensive effort this weekend against a stumbling Crusaders might just see them home,last week they played the Blues and lost but they had their chances but Auckland just wanted it more,this week and I think the shoes on the other foot,the Hurricanes have lost their last 6 against the Crusaders but no loss has been a thrashing the last 4 have all been decided by 10 or less and the Canes are alot better right now than the Crusaders.

Where will this game be won,well there are two trains of thought here,the Crusaders have not been going well in the forwards and now face a backrow in te Canes who are very much the form talent in NZ rugby in Masoe,Collins and Soialo,you also have to factor in that they have reserves a plenty in the forwards and all of them are good running forwards,the backs i both sides must come up big here and I think the difference will be Nonu who has been having a great few last weeks in the Comp,he has fixed his handling issues and is looking very solid,he is also in the frame for the All Blacks this season and will need to impress in this game to show he can handle the big occassion,I also think that Carter will stick with booting the ball away to try and play in the Canes half and I think that could be a fatal error,the Canes have scored more trys from in their own half than any other side and are deadly form any broken field play,all in all this game is very equal and could go either way.

I like the Hurricanes to continuie the Crusaders doom and gloom of late,they can match the Crusaders and will really want to win this game,mistakes must be kept to a minimum and the Canes will get up and head to the Final in a weeks time..take the Hurricanes ML or take the 6 on offer if you so desire..Good Luck.



Pick : Hurricanes WIN
Odds : 3.10
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Interwetten
Match Result : 33-22
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