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Stephen Nell
Cape Town - It's not an impossible task to tame the Crusaders' feared front row, legendary former Springbok prop Os du Randt believes.
The Crusaders gained the upper hand over the Sharks' Springbok front-row combination of Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis for the second time this year in Saturday's Super Rugby playoff in Nelson.
If the Stormers are to walk away as victors from Saturday's semi-final at Newlands, it will take a huge effort from their unsung front-row combination of Wicus Blaauw, Tiaan Liebenberg and Brok Harris.
Liebenberg is the only one of the three that has had a taste of Springbok rugby - against the Barbarians - but there is also a chance that Deon Fourie may start at hooker on Saturday.
Du Randt believes that the Crusaders got the rub of the green with the Kiwi referee in charge at the weekend. Craig Joubert will handle this weekend's Newlands semi-final and Du Randt does not expect them to be similarly advantaged.
"The referee did not do the Sharks any favours. The Crusaders were often early on the engagement. They were allowed to get away with murder. Craig will now allow that," said Du Randt.
The Crusaders should pick the same front row as the one in the previous match at Newlands. They won that game 20-14, with loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett named man of the match after he scored two tries in spite of all the backline stars on the field.
Corey Flynn should be the hooker and Owen Franks the tighthead prop.
Franks's brother, Ben, should be on the substitutes bench after missing the last match at Newlands with an injury.
"I think Crockett is a stronger scrummager than the Franks brothers. He was the man-of-the-match in their last game against the Stormers and I believe they will stick with that combination," said Du Randt.
"The key for the Stormers will be to get the hit right. That is what they need to work on this week and it's a matter of timing. The Stormers' timing has been good in recent years. I believe Wicus and Brok will be up to the challenge."
Du Randt slammed Saturday's penalty against the Sharks for dangerous play even before the scrum engagement as "ridiculous".
He believes that the Stormers have a good chance if they defend correctly.
"I spoke to Jaque Fourie (Stormers centre) at the weekend and it sounds as if they have their plans together. It's a home game for the Stormers and the Crusaders have never won a semi-final in South Africa. I believe the Stormers can pull this one off."
Cape Town - It's not an impossible task to tame the Crusaders' feared front row, legendary former Springbok prop Os du Randt believes.
The Crusaders gained the upper hand over the Sharks' Springbok front-row combination of Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis for the second time this year in Saturday's Super Rugby playoff in Nelson.
If the Stormers are to walk away as victors from Saturday's semi-final at Newlands, it will take a huge effort from their unsung front-row combination of Wicus Blaauw, Tiaan Liebenberg and Brok Harris.
Liebenberg is the only one of the three that has had a taste of Springbok rugby - against the Barbarians - but there is also a chance that Deon Fourie may start at hooker on Saturday.
Du Randt believes that the Crusaders got the rub of the green with the Kiwi referee in charge at the weekend. Craig Joubert will handle this weekend's Newlands semi-final and Du Randt does not expect them to be similarly advantaged.
"The referee did not do the Sharks any favours. The Crusaders were often early on the engagement. They were allowed to get away with murder. Craig will now allow that," said Du Randt.
The Crusaders should pick the same front row as the one in the previous match at Newlands. They won that game 20-14, with loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett named man of the match after he scored two tries in spite of all the backline stars on the field.
Corey Flynn should be the hooker and Owen Franks the tighthead prop.
Franks's brother, Ben, should be on the substitutes bench after missing the last match at Newlands with an injury.
"I think Crockett is a stronger scrummager than the Franks brothers. He was the man-of-the-match in their last game against the Stormers and I believe they will stick with that combination," said Du Randt.
"The key for the Stormers will be to get the hit right. That is what they need to work on this week and it's a matter of timing. The Stormers' timing has been good in recent years. I believe Wicus and Brok will be up to the challenge."
Du Randt slammed Saturday's penalty against the Sharks for dangerous play even before the scrum engagement as "ridiculous".
He believes that the Stormers have a good chance if they defend correctly.
"I spoke to Jaque Fourie (Stormers centre) at the weekend and it sounds as if they have their plans together. It's a home game for the Stormers and the Crusaders have never won a semi-final in South Africa. I believe the Stormers can pull this one off."
