Mitre 10 and Currie Cup Finals: Five players to watch
Friday 27 October 2017 13:56, UK
We look at five players to watch in Saturday's Mitre 10 Premiership and Currie Cup finals, live on Sky Sports Action.
The Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Final between Canterbury and Tasman is first up on Saturday at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch in what promises to be a feisty, entertaining South Island clash.
It's followed by the Currie Cup Final in Durban between the two coastal teams and traditional powerhouses of South African rugby, the Sharks and Western Province.
Here's who to look out for…
Luke Whitelock (Canterbury)
The third Whitelock brother to pull on the All Black jersey has been in magnificent form for his province during this season's Mitre Cup.
Canterbury have won eight of the last nine Mitre Cup Premiership finals and their captain Whitelock will be key to them maintaining that winning record - the Red and Blacks' No 8 scored a try in their 39-0 round-one victory over Tasman at Trafalgar Park.
The final on Saturday will be anything but straightforward, unlike earlier this season where the Makos were caught napping in a one-sided affair in Nelson.
Whitelock will be required to put in one of his usual stellar defensive shifts against his opposite number Jordan Taufua, who is extremely strong with ball in hand. The link play of the loose forwards is crucial in the free-flowing Canterbury style, which has seen them score 63 tries this campaign.
The leadership skills and experience of the former New Zealand under-20 captain has been fantastic this campaign and will be key to Glenn Delaney's men retaining the Mitre Cup.
Shannon Frizell (Tasman)
The Tongan-born Shannon Frizell has been the standout performer for the Makos this year. Frizell, who originally signed a development contract with the Tasman Rugby Union, has come on leaps and bounds and is comfortably the biggest improver in the Tasman set up.
The combative lock, who scored a try in last year's final, will be hoping for a different outcome for the return finalists and underdogs Tasman. The 23-year-old can cover both loose forward and lock, and is vital from a ball-carrying point of view - he is in the top ten in terms of carries with 99 so far this season.
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The man who hails from the Marist club is mobile and has the skillset to offload and spot a gap which has resulted in two tries in this Mitre Cup campaign. Standing at 1.95m, the versatile Tongan's aerial skills are extremely important to the Makos.
The team from the South Island will be hoping for quality first-phase ball at lineout time, which will provide the dangerous James Lowe and Will Jordan opportunities out wide. Frizell's combination with inspirational skipper Alex Ainley will play a big role in the outcome of the forward battle.
Jean-Luc Du Preez (Sharks)
The Du Preez twin is fast becoming a household name in South Africa with impressive performances for both the Sharks and the Springboks. Standing at 1.94m and 113 kilograms, the physically imposing flanker has steadily improved since breaking onto the provincial scene with a string of robust performances.
The most improved part of Du Preez's game is his handling and passing; the flanker seems to be a more composed player who doesn't force the pass or offload which he has gained with experience.
The ten-cap Springbok has been key to the Sharks both in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup, with his strong running and carries complimented by his aggressive defence.
Du Preez, who debuted for the Springboks against Wales on their end of year tour last year, is also a valuable option at the tail of the lineout. His combination with twin brother Daniel and the experienced Keegan Daniel in the loose trio will be key to who wins the battle at the breakdown in Durban.
Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
The 20-year-old fly-half from Port Elizabeth has had a fantastic year, which resulted in him making his Springbok debut in the Rugby Championship in his hometown. The 80-kilogram pivot has been in great form during the Currie Cup and is establishing himself as a player with a big future.
Bosch has a good turn of pace to go with his improving game-management skills. The No 10 has proved to be a match winner with his place kicking, as well as slotting a few crucial dropkicks which could prove the difference at the Shark Tank on Saturday. It is also essential that his kicking out of hand is accurate to keep his large forward pack on the front foot.
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Another facet of the Sharks No 10 is his attack play - always willing to play what's in front of him, he is very comfortable with ball in hand and is an exciting runner.
There has been a lot of pre-game hype about Bosch, and Western Province's coach John Dobson has stated his team has formulated a plan to nullify the young fly-half.
Bosch will certainly have his temperament tested against the team from Cape Town.
Robert Du Preez (Western Province)
One of three siblings playing in Saturday's final, added to the fact that his father is head coach of the Sharks - the final has a real family feel about it.
The oldest of the three Du Preez brothers has further enhanced his growing reputation as a future Springbok with some strong performances of late. The Cape Town-based No 10 had an effective game in the semi-final against the Golden Lions, scoring 14 points with his educated boot.
The strong-running fly half isn't scared to take the ball to the line and get his team on the front foot.
At 1.92m and 96 kilograms, Du Preez has scored an impressive four tries during the Currie Cup, and will test the defence of opposite number Curwin Bosch.
His combination with Scotland international Huw Jones will be instrumental in creating space for the dangerous back three of Damian Willemse, sevens speedster Seabelo Senatla and Springbok newbie Dillyn Leyds. The Province No 10's kicking both from the tee and out of hand will be key in the outcome of Saturday's final.
Watch Canterbury v Tasman on Saturday from 7:30am on Sky Sports Action, followed by the Sharks v Western Province from 2.45pm
