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e Open 13 for the third time
in Sun's Pride Sanctuary Sat Jul 28, 2018 3:43 amby zxlbxj1 • Farseer | 487 Posts | 4870 Points
Ahead of this weekends Super Rugby semi-final clash between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, we take a look at some of the key battles, including Ardie Saveas tussle with Sam Cane for the All Blacks No 7 jersey. Sky Live: Hurricanes v Chiefs Hurricanes wait on the fitness of captain Dane Coles ahead of Saturdays Super Rugby semi-final Sam Cane v Ardie SaveaThere will be a back row battle of seismic proportions as the Hurricanes Ardie Savea clashes with the Chiefs Sam Cane at 8.15 on Saturday morning, live on Sky Sports 1.In recent times, Savea has ramped up the pressure on Cane in his quest for the All Blacks No 7 jersey with a string of strong performances, with many in New Zealand calling for Cane to make way for the 22-year-old. Sam Cane on the charge for the Chiefs against the Highlanders The Chiefs were without Cane for half of their quarter-final showdown with the Stormers after a head-knock forced the flanker from the field at the break, but in the time he features, Cane has already contributed seven tackles and a turnover before his enforced exit.Cane has made the most tackles of any player in Super Rugby this season so far, putting in 195 hits on opposition ball carriers. His opposite number Savea was a part of a Hurricanes side that dismantled the Sharks in spectacular fashion in their quarter-final last Saturday, providing 11 tackles, one turnover and 38 metres made with the ball. Ardie Savea combined with TJ Perenara and Waisake Naholo as New Zealand travelled 70 metres up the pitch to score in the second Test against Wales in June The younger Savea has made the second-most tackles of any player this season (180), the most metres made by a Hurricanes forward (766m) while also having the equal-most try assists by a forward with five. On the international stage the battle continues. Cane started all three test victories against Wales in the summer Tests, Savea making his mark from off the bench, particularly in the second test when he raced 40 metres to score the All Blacks final try.Aaron Cruden v Beauden BarrettAaron Cruden may have been the man that started in the number 10 shirt in New Zealands series against Wales but it was his competitor Beauden Barrett that was stealing the show at its conclusion. All Black fly-halves Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden do battle at Westpac Stadium After a neck injury forced Cruden from the field after just 20 minutes into the second test, Barrett stepped into the fray and played some of the best rugby of his career, leaving All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen with a sizeable selection headache ahead of the Rugby Championship.The fly-half rivals go head-to-head on Saturday morning in the all-Kiwi Super Rugby clash, with both keen to show they can put in commanding performances in a high-pressure environment. Aaron Cruden releases the ball against the Stormers Barrett is Super Rugbys leading points scorer (193) and has made the most try assists for his side with six, and in recent weeks has provided a series of masterclass displays to guide the Hurricanes to this stage of the tournament. For Cruden, the match provides the opportunity to re-instate himself as the leading fly-half in New Zealand, reinforcing his quality in the minds of the selectors. Damian McKenzie v James MarshallDamian McKenzie was the star of the show as the Chiefs put on an attacking masterclass against the Stormers running in eight tries. McKenzie finished off this fantastic team effort by the Chiefs to open the scoring against the Force in March The full-back was peerless with the boot, missing just one attempt, and crossed for his 10th try of the season, only Israel Folau has scored more this campaign.The 21-year-old has been a ever-present force at the back for the Waikato-based side this year, and is the only Chiefs squad member to have played every minute of 2016.McKenzie has made 1,464 metres this season, ranking him the third most successful metre-maker in Super Rugby 2016. Marshall and McKenzie both played their part in the Super Rugby tries of the week He faces James Marshall, a try scorer in last weekends 41-0 victory over the Sharks. The full-back made 48 metres in 12 carries against the South Africans, making five tackles at the back in a game where his side exercised their dominance throughout.Just like McKenzie, when given space at the back Marshall poses a dangerous threat. The 27-year-old carried more than any other Hurricanes player in their quarter-final with 22 runs; the Chiefs will be aware of the danger of allowing him the space to counter-attack. Also See: Sky Live: Hurricanes v Chiefs Sky Live: Lions v Highlanders Stiles named new Reds coach Follow us @SkySportsRugby Nik Stauskas Jersey . Steve has built a solid reputation throughout the years - first as a hockey player, then as an NHL general manager and now as a scout. JJ Redick Jersey . Playing in his 19th career final, the second-seeded Tsonga was favourite to win the Open 13 for the third time and to secure an 11th career title, but he struggled with Gulbis attacking approach. http://www.authentic76ersauthority.com/a...ers-jersey-c-3/. He has spent much of his adult life trying to give back to his native South Sudan, the war-torn African nation the Cavaliers forward and his family fled when he was a young boy. Moses Malone Jersey . 25 against Miami. Hillis left Browns Stadium about two hours before kickoff, a decision that has led to speculation he was upset over ongoing negotiations with the club on a contract extension. Custom Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Chris Paul said he spoke with Blake Griffin recently about getting back to what the Los Angeles Clippers do best.For the teams two superstars, that means working the pick and roll.This is our fourth year together and obviously your game changes and evolves and stuff like that, but we both realize our bread and butter used to be when I would attack downhill and he was rolling to the basket, Paul said. So we are trying to mix that in more.Griffin had 22 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, Paul had 22 points and a season-high 15 assists as the Clippers handed the Charlotte Hornets their sixth straight loss 113-92 on Monday night.Griffin finished one assist shy of a triple-double and Paul moved past Jerry West into 25th place all-time in NBA annals in assists.I thought Blake and Chris set the tone for us on both ends and I thought that was the difference, said Clippers coach Doc Rivers.The Clippers (8-5) outscored the Hornets by 39 points from beyond the 3-point arc.Jamal Crawford had 21 points and J.J. Redick added 17, combining to shoot 9 of 17 from 3-point range. As a team the Clippers were 15 of 32 on 3-point attempts; the Hornets were just 2 of 20.When you see J.J. and those guys getting open 3s like that its not because I did anything special, its because our bigs did a great job rolling, Paul said.Cody Zeller led the way for Charlotte with a career-high 17 points. Al Jefferson had 16 points and Kemba Walker 15 for the Hornets (4-11), who have lost eight of their last nine games.Lance Stephenson, Charlottes big free agent acquisition, was a non-factor with three points and six assists. He did not play in the fourth quarter even after Gary Neal left the game with a shoulder injury. Coach Steve Clifford said Stephensons lack of ball movement is one of the reasons he took him out of the game.Paul and Walker played a game within a game, each tryingg to get the better of each other on various possessions.ddddddddddddaul had six assists in the opening quarter and showed off his skills in the low post by posting up Walker and scoring on a pair of turnaround jump shots over the fellow point guard.That seemed to ignite Walker, who responded with a nifty crossover move that left Paul stumbling to regain his balance as he drained a step-back jumper from 17 feet. Paul didnt seem to take kindly to being shown up, knocking down an 18-footer on the ensuing possession.Clifford said the Hornets need to keep plugging despite the losing streak.We cant lose our spirit, Clifford said. To be a good team in this league it takes a lot of things but your best players have to be prideful and hard players. Al and Kemba tonight showed again theyre going to fight for this and theyre going to try hard to get this turned around.___TIP-INSClippers: Matt Barnes sat out with a calf injury and Rivers said his starting forward could miss the teams next game as well.Hornets: Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist remains out with a stress reaction in his foot and Clifford said hes nowhere near being close to ready to return.KOBE VS. MICHAEL: With Kobe Bryant approaching Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list, Rivers was asked to weigh in who is better. We still have to play Kobe, so I will make my opinion when theyre all out (of the league) and they cant hurt you, Rivers said with a laugh. Right now Kobe can hurt me, so I say nothing. But Michael is Michael. I mean cmon, Michael is Michael. I saw a lot of him and like him better in a suit and tie.STATISTICAL ODDITY: Hornets forward Marvin Williams started all 15 games and played more than 360 minutes this season before attempting his first two free throws on Monday night. He made both.UP NEXTClippers: Play at Detroit on Wednesday night.Hornets: Host Portland on Wednesday night. Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping NFL Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL Hoodies Camo China NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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