This is a huge match. Not only is it a re-creation of the Season 1 final, a showdown between the biggest rivalry in SR, and a clash of some of the best players in Seasonal Rugby, but this is all in the Semi Final of Seasonal Rugby Season 2. In the front rows, the Spartans seem to dominate strengthwise, but the Giants front rowers are known for their awesome technique. The props for the Spartans are the best in the business in Eggman and Wilkinson. They line up against two formidable players in Glensor and Morgan who are sure to put in a solid challenge. Izett lines up against Flack in what is possibly NZs hooker vs NSWs hooker. The second rows, the Spartans take it yet again. Denton and Davis are one of the best lock pairings in the business. They're a brilliant combination of strength, technique and pure power while Dafter and Miokovic are one of the less formidable pairings in the comp. Miokovic is known to be very good at the breakdown, though. What can we say about the Spartans backrow? Wow. C Laing, MP Chung and M Deane is very easy on the eye and have everything they need to be dominant. But Gemmell has hit top form this season and is sure to have something to say to them in what could turn our to be a heated encounter. Burridge and SDR Laing will definately make their contributions as well, with SDR Laing being one of the better flankers in the game. The halfbacks seem pretty even. Pilgrim just ousts Cribb and Luffman pretty much just ousts Scoble (yes, Marcuss and Luffers, this is your chance to 0wn CCG about this). They each bring different areas to the game with Scoble's boot being far more capable than anyone else in the world. Cribb is very well known for his awesome hands and Pilgrim has certainly got enough attacking prowess to worry the strong Spartans defense. The centres are yet another good battle, but we'll give it to the Giants. Ames and Orr is a very nice little partnership, but Golding and Weaver is simply jizzworthy. Weaver makes a phenomenal amount of behind the scenes work, whereas Golding is an inspirational playmaker from #12. Orr is more than decent in defense and has been working on his attack, with Ames' boot coming in handy for the Spartans this season. The back 3 will go to the Giants. Farhat, Schaw and Blunder seems fair enough but Son, Farnsworth and Fung just tears it to shreds in terms of out-and-out quality. Farnsworth known for his explosive runs, Son for his penetrative side-step and Fung for his odd moment of individual genius, these three will cause problems wherever they are. But Blunder has skills of his own, and has been known to stamp over the odd defender or two with Schaw's scoring record of a try a game and Farhat's solid tackle compliments the Spartans backline nicely. What a game this is going to be. Giants 1. SM Morgan 2. SA Flack 3. KP Glensor 4. DG Dafter 5. TA Miokovic 6. MC Burridge 7. SDR Laing 8. BJ Gemmell (c) 9. LA Pilgrim 10. MW Scoble (k) 11. AJ Son 12. C Golding 13. GJ Weaver 14. AP Farnsworth 15. K Fung Spartans 1. DA Eggman 2. AJ Izett 3. JP Wilkinson 4. JR Denton 5. HT Davis 6. C Laing 7. MP Chung 8. M Deane (c) 9. RG Cribb 10. JRE Luffman 11. AM Farhat 12. E Ames (k) 13. P Orr 14. LE Schaw 15. BOY Blunder 10 hours and 50 minutes until kick off.
Live is AWESOME. Think it's in the Spartans best interests to keep it in the tight. Non-expansive rugby FTW!