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Crusaders Crowned Champions
Image: Getty ImagesThe Sutherland Spy has been eating humble pie this week after the Canterbury Crusaders beat the ACT Brumbies in last weekends Super 12 Final in Christchurch. I know there have been many critics of the Spy's predictions over the past month. Many have tried to bring me down and unveil my identity but no one has the inside knowledge like I do. One loss from 25 games isn't too bad. To my loyal supporters who have cleaned up with SportsTab, Centrebet, SportsOdds keep the faith; the Test matches are just around the corner.
The Final
The Brumbies posted points after 17 minutes through an Andrew Walker penalty but it was the Crusaders through there Fijian winger Vuninbaka who scored the first try after some good lead up work from Leon MacDonald. The lead up to the try was also very costly for the Brumbies with Wallaby Fly Half Steve Larkham taken from the field with an elbow injury. The Brumbies were unable to utilise the wind in the 1st half and went to the break down 11- 3.
Andrew Merthens added a further penalty mid way through the second half before a penalty to Walker narrowed the gap to 8 with 10 minutes remaining. Walker put the Brumbies to within a point after an intercept try made the score 14-13 but a field goal and 2 late tries to Caleb Ralph (one an intercept) ensured that the Trophy was to remain in Christchurch.
The Brumbies are to be congratulated on their performance. They were outplayed across the paddock and the loss of their playmaker was significant but somehow with a bit of luck they may have pulled off a miraculous win after Walker's try, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. The Crusaders were just to good across the board, at the breakdown they showed patience in controlling the ball and they have game breakers in Ralph, Vuninbaka, Robinson and a quality midfield in Marshall, Merthens (who both have had there best seasons in a long while) and Aarom Mauger who will be the All Black Inside Centre and potentially at 21 years of age could end up being one of the greats of All Black rugby.
On the trip home with the boys the Spy asked a few players to reflect on the season gone by (I was luckily carrying my tape recorder)
George Gregan "Sutho....it was a strange season, we started so well then had some injuries to key players JP, Melon and Stirling. We battled through that period and I thought we showed a lot of courage to beat NSW in Sydney. Last night the Crusaders were just too good, they fractured our ball and their defence was outstanding- they are worthy champions. Personally I'm looking forward to a week or two off and then the upcoming Test Series"
Justin Harrison "it was a disappointing Spy, in the end to a pretty good season when you consider we lost some key players from last year in Kaf, Roffy and Jimmy Williams. We made the final again with a new coaching team so we are on the right track. My ankle has been giving me some grief so I need to get that looked at, then hopefully get picked again for the Wallabies.
Bill Young "Spy, it was a tough year physically and mentally. We went through a slump in the middle of the season and perhaps that is what cost us, if we had the chance to play a home final maybe it could have been a different result. The Crusaders were very good up front, hopefully JP, Benny Darwin and me get another shot at them in the Test matches.
So that's it on Super 12- Congratulations to the Crusaders
The Spy's Super 12 Team of the Tournament
15 Chris Latham
14 Caleb Ralph
13 Stirling Mortlock
12 Aaron Mauger
11 Graeme Bond
10 Steve Larkham/Andrew Merthens
9 George Gregan
8 David Lyons
7 Richard McCaw
6 Reuben Thorne
5 Justin Harrison
4 Chris Jack
3 Greg Somerville
2 Jeremy Paul
1 Bill Young
An ‘Australian A’ team has been selected to play Canada this Saturday in Sydney the team includes Rogers and Sailor so it should be interesting to see how they go.
With a Wallaby Test Squad to be named on Sunday night this is the team that I am hearing will be selected with some injury concerns over a few players: NB: Ben Tune is out injured
The Spy's mail on who is in the Wallaby Team
15 Chris Latham
14 Matt Burke
13 Stirling Mortlock
12 Steve Kefu / Daniel Herbert
11 Scott Staniforth / Wendell Sailor
10 Steve Larkham (if fit)
9 George gregan
8 Toutai Kefu (if fit)
7 George Smith
6 David Lyons / Owen Finigen
5 Justin Harrison
4 Nathan Sharpe
3 Ben Darwin
2 Jeremy Paul
1 Bill Young
Catch up with you next week....
Spy.
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