Season 2 Grand Final: Vikings vs. Spartans

I actually have no idea who damp conditions gives an advantage to. Spartans have two good kickers in Eds and Luffers, and the much better pack; so I'd suspect it slightly favours them - but a lower scoring game will help the Vikings do a snatch-n-grab on the counter, potentially.

 

Just shows the poorness of Hunteh's decision making. Anyone would aim for the Non-Tackling Wonder that is Escath if they wanted to flatten anyone.

 

Player-by-Player Comparison

Front Row:

At loosehead, the Spartans have opted for rookie Joshua Ritchie rather than the more experienced Jake Wilkinson. To be fair, the Vikings' choice at Loosehead of Wes Welker would be a significant advantage over either of the Spartans options here.Both teams have opted to have their more agile prop at Loosehead; which seems a sensible decision.

Vikings take this one.

At hooker, the Vikings choice is solid front rower Tom Delonge. He's been in great form in the recent friendly tournament, but he'll come up against tough opposition in seasoned Spartans hooker, Alan Izett. The class of Delonge here should be enough to give the Vikings an advantage, but that advantage will be small at best.

Vikings take this one.

At Tighthead, Dave Eggman for the Vikings presents a massive test for Vikings front-rower Duck Lewis. If the Vikings are ahead in the other front row positions, then the class of Eggman should dominate Lewis. This could present a massive issue for the Vikings at scrumtime.

Spartans take this one.

Overall, whilst the Vikings have two +s to one here, the difference between Eggman and Lewis is much bigger than that between Ritchie/Welker and Delonge/Izett.

My call is that we'll see very little difference at the line out performance of the hookers. The Vikings may have a small advantage at ruck time, but the Spartans should have the edge at the scrum.

 

Second Row

Domination here for the Spartans. The New Zealand pairing of Heath Davis and Jason Denton massively outclass the Vikings' Torres and Dempsey. The Vikings pairing aren't bad players by any stretch, but they find themselves a 2nd class combo compared to their opponents.

 

Back Rowers

Again, victory for the Spartans in the match ups here. Not much difference in ability between Michael Chung and Ben Manera, this much is true. However Callum Laing should totally outshine Dave Armstrong and whilst Simon Humble's a decent player, he finds himself playing in the unfamiliar role at #8 and up against one of the world's best in Marcuss Deane.

No contest, the Spartans win the back row match up.

 

Half Back

At half back, there's an evenly matched contest. Mate Perry for the Vikings leads his team from the front; and he may have a slight edge as Jake Loughman will be playing away from his favoured position at first five-eight.

We'll give this one to the Vikings

First Five Eight/Fly Half

The biggest mis-match on the field sees the unchallenged best player in the Seasonal Rugby world, Ed Ames come up against Aaron Hunt. With Hunt record at place kicks, the Vikings will be needing to score some tries today to win, unless the Spartans offer them too many penalty opportunities.

 

Wingers

The Vikings start to come into their own as we reach uncomfortably between the thighs of the back line.

The Vikings have the skill and flair of Damien Taylor and Ben Herd. Undoubted class there, whilst the Spartans are set to unleash the up-and-coming pairing of Regan Hutchinson and Lucas Schaw. Many eyes are set on Schaw and whether he can either continue his pre-season try scoring form or whether he will become the Spartans' answer to Danny Cipriani.

I'll give this one to the Vikings, but if the game is as open as some pundits hope, then I'd have some cash on Lucas Schaw scoring at some point in this game.

 

Centres

At second five, Kyle Tait for the Spartans looks massively outclassed by Andrew James. It's worth remembering that most of James' success has come playing on the wing, but he should still shine far above the inexperienced Tait. It's another selection gamble from both sides, but I'd be surprised to see a quiet night for James. Advantage, Vikings.

At centre, Paddy Orr faces down Steve Cambridge and this should be an interesting match up. These two players are right in the top bracket of centres, but have contrasting styles. This one's too hard to call.