Super 15 Rugby 2013 Qualifiers: Important Players Who Must Shine

The Chiefs and Bulls will be cackling at the remaining Super Rugby teams.

Regular season has concluded, but after a gruelling schedule crammed with many fiercely-fought clashes, the first and second placed teams have an extra week of rest before taking to the field once more. While the two leading squads aren’t in semifinal action until July 27, both Dave Rennie and Frans Ludeke’s sides need to know whom they will be facing.

Two mouth-watering fixtures across July 20 and 21 provide four teams with the opportunity to join the dominant favourites. It’s fourth against fifth at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch, as Crusaders host the Reds in a bout of New Zealand vs. Australia. It’s Australia against South Africa in the other qualifier, as the fifth placed Brumbies welcome a Cheetahs side who snuck into the final spot with a bye in Round 20.

Now that the business end of the season is upon us, the importance of key players continues to intensify. Each team will be relying on pivotal individuals to turn the tide of play, crunch through the opposition or score a match-winning try. Let’s take a look at the vital details and individuals who must arrive in rampant form.

Match Details

July 20—Canterbury Crusaders vs. Queensland Reds, AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. K/O Time: 3.35 ET

July 21—ACT Brumbies vs. Central Cheetahs, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia. K/O Time: 2.10 a.m ET

Dan Carter, Crusaders

All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter highlighted his immense qualities in the 43-15 demolition of Chiefs during Round 19. The experienced 31-year-old became the first player to surpass 1,500 points in Super Rugby after scoring 25 points in a result that gave Todd Blackadder’s team hope of a home playoff with victory in Round 20.

While Carter’s overall play was ineffective during the 25-17 win over Hurricanes, his 10-point kicking spree saw Crusaders overcome a visiting side who battled to the death. Even when Carter’s general play suffers a lull, his kicking ability is precise enough to pull his teammates away from defeat.

He is 10th on the top scorers chart for the season, having successfully produced 136 points after Round 20.

Quade Cooper, Reds

Australian flyhalf Quade Cooper is a misfit at the Suncorp Stadium. Many fans haven’t forgiven the 25-year-old for kneeing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the skull before the 2011 World Cup, a situation that reared its ugly head during his nation’s 20-6 semifinal loss to New Zealand at Eden Park.

Cooper was integral to Reds’ Super Rugby win in 2011. Although he is yet to recreate his form of yesteryear, the talented playmaker is progressing in small steps. All eyes are on Cooper as he returns to New Zealand, but can he perform under immense pressure? He has proven volatile before and will undoubtedly feel the heat in front of fans who smell blood.

Christian Lealiifano, Brumbies

Christian Lealiifano is third on the highest scorers list this season and has notched up an excellent 183 points after Round 20. The Australian provides nerves of steel and pinpoint kicking ability that have helped his side win 10 games from 16 this campaign.

The 25-year-old continues to perform on the big stage. He punted Australia to victory over the British and Irish Lions in the second match of the Wallabies’ recent unsuccessful series. Brumbies collapsed in the final run last season, but with Lealiifano continuing to rack up the points, will be confident of overcoming Cheetahs in front of the Canberra Stadium crowd.

Pieter Labuschagne, Cheetahs

Cheetahs fans will have been concerned with the side’s early Super Rugby form. Naka Drotske’s men suffered two defeats from the opening two matches and conceded 93 points across a trio of encounters which outlined a number of defensive frailties.

The South African club’s tackling output has improved massively since the first few fixtures. Flanker Pieter Labuschagne currently leads the top tacklers scoreboard with 237 successful momentum stoppers, 19 more than Crusaders flanker Matt Todd.

Brumbies have been prolific at home this season, scoring an average of 30 points across eight encounters in Canberra. Labuschagne will need to smash hard if his side are to have any chance.