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Elton Jantjies 'one of the stand-out first-fives in Super Rugby' - Habana

By Tom Webber
habana

The Lions will require a significant defensive improvement if they are to overcome the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final, according to Bryan Habana.

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After finishing as runners-up for the past two seasons, the Lions have a chance to avenge their home defeat to the Crusaders in last year’s showpiece when they take on the reigning champions in Christchurch on Saturday.

Swys de Bruin’s team had to come from 14-0 down to defeat the Waratahs in the semi-finals last weekend, and Habana, a two-time Super Rugby champion, says they must match the quality they have in possession when without the ball.

“I think their defence is something they’re going to have to improve on. I think they were pretty loose in that first 20 minutes against the Waratahs and had to come from behind to win that,” Habana told Omnisport, speaking courtesy of Coco Fuzion 100.

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“I think ball in hand they’ve got some fantastic players and Elton Jantjies at Super Rugby level has really been one of the stand-out first-fives in Super Rugby over the last while.

“On the wing they’ve got the likes of Aphiwe Dyantyi that’s been an absolute sensation this year, the try he scored against the Waratahs last weekend was out the top drawer – that little gather from behind, chip and then outpacing Bernard Foley was one of the best that Ellis Park’s seen in a while.

“[The Lions have] some fantastic ball players – Kwagga Smith scored two fantastic tries last week, so ball in hand the Lions are really, really good.

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“Against that Crusaders side their defence will have to be up there, their kicking game will have to be spot-on because the Crusaders backline can make you pay from anywhere on the park.

“They’ve got a very mobile unit all around and I think the Lions will, besides having it up against them, definitely know they’re going to need to have an all-round game to be able to beat them.”

Scott Robertson’s side head into the final on a 14-match winning streak and have beaten the Lions on each of their four previous visits to Christchurch, factors Habana knows makes them firm favourites.

“My heart tells me go with the Lions but my head’s telling me that the Crusaders have just been too good, and there’s not been too many South African teams that have actually gone to Christchurch and won a game there,” he said.

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“The Lions will have a lot to overcome to try to win that, travelling to New Zealand, the time difference and to try to beat probably the most on-form side in the competition at the moment at their home venue is going to be rather challenging.

“They’re in a final and anything can happen in a final so I’ll definitely be supporting them from a South African point of view and I just hope they do really well in the final.”

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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T
Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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