Can't beat The Spy

Image: Allsport

I hope someone is making good money out of this because once again the spy's tips were spot on.

The Crusaders butchered the Waratahs, Otago scrapped home against the Reds, whilst the Brumbies turned up the heat in the second half against the Blues to move into 3rd position and confirm a date with the Waratahs.

Waratahs v Crusaders

The least said about the Waratahs performance the better. Let's just say it ended up quite amusing....some of the highlights were Ian Smith (former Kiwi Cricket Captain) referring to the Crusaders "they are going at a better rate than Nathan Astle" who had only a couple of months ago broken the record for the fastest double century at the same ground.

In summary the Crusaders were freakish having one of those nights when everything went according to plan & for the Tahs...well at least David Lyons came away with his reputation intact.

Reds v Highlanders

The Reds were right in their match with the Highlanders but weight of possession in the second half and a parochial home crowd enabled them to get through.

The win may have come at a cost with Byron Kellaher doubtful, Anton Oliver out for the next 3 months and doubts remain over Tony Brown's fitness after he was ruled out prior to the game with a hamstring injury.

The Reds once again left there run late, winning 6 of there last 7 and providing some heartstoppers with the win over NSW and the Sharks. The standouts were Toutai and Steve Kefu ,Nathan Sharpe and Chris Latham.

Wendell Sailor can be well satisfied with his progress highlighted by the run against NSW, my sources tell me he isn't that far away from a Wallaby jersey and he will appear on June 1 for Australia A v Canada.

The Brumbies

The Brumbies as tipped by the Spy are still the dark horse of the tournament, with Stirling Mortlock in unbbbbbeeeelllllieevvvaaaabbblleeeeeee form the Brumbies have had back to back wins and are once again back in the mix. Talking to a few of there players after there loss to NSW on April 20 all they wanted out of their season was to have another shot at the Tahs....remember Dwyer's comments about Gregan......wouldn't surprise me at all to see him named man of the match.

and so it is down to 4.......

The Semi's

The Crusaders will be too strong for Otago thus securing a home final. Look for Aaron Mauger to once again play a major role behind a dominant pack.

Tip: Crusaders by 13

The Waratahs seemed to have put the demons from last week to rest. The Spy caught up with a few players at training this week and there seemed to be a very determined attitude amongst the players. They have brought in Simon Poidevin to have a chat as well as Nathan Grey unfortunately the Spy was unable to address the players.

What they need to do to win is shut down Gregan, Larkham and Mortlock, secure there set piece possession and not to be overawed by the occassion. This is the biggest match ever in NSW Rugby history and composure will be a crtical ingredient for success. Matt Burke's steady goal kicking is one area in which they have an edge on their opponents.

The Brumbies are starting to get back to the form of old & it isn't a coincidence that this has happened due to the fact that some of their players Mortlock, Jeremy Paul and Owen Finigen are getting back to 100% after carrying injuries throughout the middle matches of the tournament.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Brumbies kick for field position more than they generally do and even to kick the ball into touch. They have the best defensive lineout in the competition (the Waratahs lineout is perhaps the worst) and are sure to target this area in pilfering ball.

It will be up to Mortlock again to get them over the gain line which allows Gregan and Larkham quick phase ball to distribute to the likes of Bond and Walker. A crucial area of their game and the downfall from the teams last meeting is goal kicking.

Andrew Walker kicked well last week and between him and Mortlock they will need to do the same again.

Revenge is a big motivation for the boys from the ACT and I think this will be the ingredient along with their past final experiences (3 finals) to get the job done....

Tip: ACT by 14

I welcome any comments and look forward to providing a preview to the Brumbies v Crusaders final.......