Kaunda: Currie Cup Final Preview | Grassroots Rugby

GRR Columnist

Every coach is quick to give themselves the underdog tag when a match of this magnitude is upon them. I believe there is only one way to tell who the underdog is, compare each and every player. The question you should ask yourselves is, which player would be able to make the starting lineup of the opposition? Let us compare each and every player in both starting lineups.

1. Loosehead props: Beast Mtawarira vs Steven Kitshoff

You have to give this one to the Beast because of his experience. Kitshoff is one for the future but Mtawarira has performed for a number of years against the best players in the world.

Sharks ? 1

WP???? -? 0

?

2. Hookers: Craig Burden vs Skarra Ntubeni

Burden takes this one because he is the more superior athlete on top of the fact that he is more experienced. Ntubeni has had a wonderful season though but you still have to give this one to the powerhouse Craig Burden.

Sharks ? 2

WP???? -? 0

?

3. Tighthead props: Jannie du Plessis vs Frans Malherbe

Dr du Plessis takes this one hands down comfortably. I am of the belief that Malherbe is extremely overrated and he was exposed in the semifinal. Jannie on the other hand is an established Springbok who was shortlisted for the player of the year award this year. The Sharks scrum should decimate the Province youngsters.

Sharks ? 3

WP???? -? 0

4. Locks: Steven Sykes vs Eben Etzebeth

Etzebeth is the best lock in the country.

Sharks ? 3

WP???? -? 1

5. Locks: Anton Bresler vs De Kock Steenkamp

This one is pretty close but Bresler has been a starter in a star studded Sharks outfit the whole season. Steenkamp has been in the shadows of Etzebeth and Andries Bekker. I give this one to Bresler as he has performed this season and goes into the final with far more confidence.

Sharks ? 4

WP?? ??-? 1

?

6. Openside flankers: Marcell Coetzee vs Deon Fourie

?

This is going to be one hell of an encounter! Fourie isn?t a natural flanker but he is a fetcher who has a lot of speed as an extra string to his bow. Coetzee has had a mind blowing Super Rugby season before he fizzled down to mediocrity in the Bok setup. I give this one a draw.

?

Sharks ? 5

WP???? -? 2

?

7. Blindside flankers: Willem Alberts vs Don Armand

?

It is humiliating to Alberts to even begin comparing him to Armand. The young Armand must just get out of the way or he might get hurt.

?

Sharks ? 6

WP???? -? 2

?

8. Eighthman: Keegan Daniel vs Duane Vermeulen

?

Another close one. Finals are normally won and lost in the trenches so therefore if the game becomes a battle of attrition as I expect it to be then Vermeulen will have a bigger impact.

?

Sharks ? 6

WP???? -? 3

?

9. Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach vs Nic Groom

?

These are two players that have glaringly different attributes. Groom is the distributor whose crisp service is the key for Province?s talented backline. Reinach is the terrier who exploits gaps in the fringes next to the rucks and he is very quick. Going into the final Reinach is the in form player and his forwards are guaranteed to give him good ball.

?

Sharks ? 7

WP???? -? 3

?

10. Flyhalves: Pat Lambie vs Demetri Katrakilis

?

Lambie looks set to be the Bok pivot at the end of the year tour and his form upon returning to the Currie Cup has been scintillating. His battle against Katrakilis should be one sided but Demetri is a deadly goal kicker so that?s the only leg he has to stand on.

?

Sharks ? 8

WP???? -? 3

?

11. Left wingers: Lwazi Mvovo vs Bryan Habana

?

Mvovo is a brilliant player but Habana is arguably the best wing in the world so this can only go one way.

?

Sharks ? 8

WP???? -? 4

?

12. Inside centres: Tim Whitehead vs Damien de Allende

?

De Allende made a huge impact when he came on in the semifinal. Whitehead has shown his class the whole year and this final will most certainly put him in the running for a possible Bok position in the near future. I have to give this one to Whitehead.

?

Sharks ? 9

WP???? -? 4

?

13. Outside centres: Paul Jordaan vs Juan de Jongh

?

I?m going to be crucified for this one. I think that Jordaan is the best outside centre we have in this country (Jaque Fourie is in Japan). Juan is also an extremely talented footballer and I think he should be a surety for a Bok squad position and should?ve started at 13 for the Boks when Frans Steyn got injured. I think in this battle, Jordaan has the edge because of his power and speed.

?

Sharks ? 10

WP???? -?? 4

?

14. Right Wingers: JP Pietersen vs Gerhard van den Heerver

?

JP is much better than Gerhard?much better.

?

Sharks ? 11

WP???? -?? 4

?

15. Fullbacks: Louis Ludik vs Gio Aplon

?

This is really close. Ludik has probably got better form going into the final but if we look at talent then we must say Aplon. Gio Aplon is arguably the most dangerous attacker that South Africa has to offer. He is elusive and has speed and a step that will leave defenders grasping air. Ludik is good but Aplon is better.

?

Sharks ? 11

WP???? -?? 5

?

So there it is, Western Province go into this match as the obvious underdogs. We could also give the Sharks an extra point for their home ground advantage. I think the two sets of reserves are also evenly matched so if I was a betting man I would say the Sharks should win this match by a difference of at leas

Source: http://www.grassrootsrugby.co.za/?p=2029

luke kuechly brad miller chandler jones peyton hillis fletcher cox charlotte bobcats new york rangers