OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 1.25pm.
WORLD Cup-winning halfback pair George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, along with rugby league convert Andrew Walker at fullback, hold the key to the ACT Brumbies breaking New Zealand’s hold on Super 12 title on Saturday.
The Brumbies, in their first final since losing the 1997 final to the Auckland Blues, face the Canterbury Crusaders – who are seeking to complete a hat-trick of titles.
The Brumbies finished top of the Super 12 league by overcoming the Crusaders 17-12 in a fierce top-of-the-table contest in Christchurch two weeks ago.
Walker, with 13 Super 12 tries, is rated a potential match-winner by former Wallaby Glen Ella, who coaches the ACT backs.
Gregan, currently the best scrum-half in the world, and Larkham will be tested by the uncanny tactical kicking of All Black fly-half Andrew Mehrtens.
The Crusaders’ hopes for a hat-trick of Super 12 titles were boosted by the return of lock Norm Maxwell who missed last week’s semi-final with a calf injury.
But All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall has not recovered from a similar injury and is almost certain to be missing, although Canterbury coach Robbie Deans said Marshall will play if he proves he has recovered “100 percent” from a calf injury on Friday.
New Zealand under-21 scrumhalf Ben Hurst had an impressive game against the Otago Highlanders, with his crisp, quick passing a feature.
But Marshall, the most capped New Zealand scrumhalf, is a seasoned campaigner and a resolute defender around the fringes
. ACT coach Jones said the Crusaders will not be damaged if Hurst replaces Marshall.
Jones said last week’s struggle to beat the Cats with three late tries for a flattering 28-5 semi-final win was actually a timely warning for his side. “It was probably our worst performance in the Super 12. It was a combination of the Cats defending extremely well and we were quite nervous,” he said.
The Brumbies and Crusaders have spent the week exchanging shots over illegal tactics.
The New Zealanders claim the Brumbies use decoy runners in back play and illegal binding methods to gain an advantage in the scrums. The Australians claim the Crusaders send too many players into the lineouts.
But the Brumbies received support from Springbok coach Nick Mallett, who described their style of play as the best in the world. — AFP