A Super Rugby dream final

Sanzar could not have asked for more.

On one side, you have the Queensland Reds. At the bottom a few seasons ago but now a thoroughbred side changing the landscape of Australian rugby. Their home ground was under water as Brisbane suffered its worst floods in 36 years at the beginning of the year. Now they are one step away from submitting the very top of Southern Hemisphere franchise rugby, playing a brand of rugby that has brought thousands back to the game. They also have Quade Cooper. Now that man knows how to run with a rugby ball.

And on the other, the Canterbury Crusaders. Seven Super Rugby titles, a pedigree outfit if there ever was one. Their home city of Christchurch was devastated by an earthquake at the beginning of the season and they haven’t once played a true home game all competition. They have clocked up 100 000km in travel going to and from matches, and yet here they are. They dispatched South Africa’s most fierce front row — the Sharks — (twice) and knocked over the winners of the South African conference, the Stormers, twice in Cape Town. That second win was the first time a non-South African side has travelled to the republic for a knockout match and won. They play for each other and their city, and in Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, possess two current yet already certain all-time greats of the world game.

It’s going to be one hell of a final, that’s for sure.

While we all bask in the glow of this perfect match-up, the ones who are most pleased with the way the tournament has worked out must be Sanzar. Criticised by many (including myself) for extending a competition to the apparent favour of only one of the alliance, the apparent ambivalence shown for the first week of the play-offs has now been over-ridden by a tide of media frenzy. It’s as if a wedding was being covered rather than a Super Rugby fixture. But as mentioned, there is enough detail here to allow the media to script this clash any way they want. This is the final the neutrals wanted to see, and that’s what sells.

Each team plays in its own particular way, with different strengths and weaknesses (when applicable). You have the two most marketable products in the competition squaring off with others lying further down the back line. And if the weather is right, fans are guaranteed some running rugby.

If I had to pick a winner, it would be the Crusaders. Imperious to jet lag and carrying so much so far, it would be nothing short of what they deserve. An endorsement of the excellent work done by Todd Blackadder and all those at the franchise, especially in such trying circumstances. But if they did have to lose, the Reds would also be a worthy winner considering the way they have risen from the ashes, and in some style. Ewen McKenzie and the entire Reds organisation have done exceptional work over the last three years, a just reward for a team that attracts people to the game.

The Crusaders are imperious at scrum-time, organised and crafty. This, added to their vast experience and powerful motivation, should see them over the line in Brisbane. But it’s going to take one hell of an effort to get there.