%crabs Os du Toit Okoudou Gbagbo Herr Burger Bruce Force Double Dong Zinzan Brumby Jake Howe Geraint Martyn Cobra Classified Ivan Ryabovol Dan Wayne Chuck Faldo John Heads Daniel Speirs Ginger Furball Substitutes 16. Samuel Vimes 17. Hal Teja 18. Pretzel Spark 19. JD Hurricane 20. Bill Kirk 21. Chris Raftery 22. Sticky Phlegm %vikings Clayton Evans Tom Delonge Jonny Ridd Donald Boland Choco Man Siege Morgan Ben Manera Theo Miokovic Mate Perry Aaron Hunt Andrew James Ben Jacobs Steve Cambridge Dirk Diggler Kelvin Fung Substitutes Ishan Narang Reagan Wheelson Peter Retzel Rusty Downpipes Jimmy Read Henry Marshall Sam Green
Preview: Previous Meetings Season 4, Round 5: Vikings 20 - 17 Crabs ($1.68/$1.98) Season 4, Round 10: Crabs 27 - 20 Vikings ($1.73/$1.92) Season 5, Round 5: Vikings 18 - 12 Crabs ($2.36/$1.48) Season 5, Round 10: Crabs 32 - 23 Vikings ($1.17/$4.13) Code: P W L PF PA BP Pts Crabs 4 2 2 88 81 4 12 Vikings 4 2 2 81 88 2 10 Since the inception of the Crabs as a club in season 4, they've run close to the Vikings in every game played. Their first meeting saw the Vikings narrowly home in a tight tussle. Their second meeting saw the Crabs elevate themselves from the basement of the SRC and guaranteeing the Vikings last place. This season, both teams have turned themselves around to find themselves in the exalted company of the play offs, looking for the right to contest the final at The Hot Gates against the all-conquering Spartans. This season, the honours are again even as the Vikings won at home against the bookies' expectations, and then lost narrowly away despite suffering a major injury crisis. Outlook The Vikings' home win this season was rooted in their two main strengths. Firstly, their flankers and secondly some wonderful attacking talent in their back line. Ben Manera maybe hasn't quite reached the heights of season 4, but he has still be a lynchpin for the Vikings and has certainly helped to gain some hard metres downfield as well as being a monster at the breakdown (F: +.21). His partner on the flank, Siege Morgan has enjoyed a breakthrough season, especially in the 2nd half of the year. He has put in some exceptional performances for the BaaBaas in provincial tournament to build on his rich form (F: +.25). The Vikings' other obvious strength is in their attacking talent amongst their backs. Steve Cambridge has perhaps been less consistant this year (F: +.19) but he has made telling contributions at times. Andrew James has continued to excel when he's not been on the physio's bench (F: +.27). Aaron Hunt's improvement in kicking success has also helped (F: +.25) though he could still contribute more in this area. The Vikings' weakness is in their propping stocks. They would dearly love to take any of the props from the Crabs to strengthen their line up. Coupled to this, their 2nd row - whilst consistant - probably isn't quite up to the required standard. This weakness in their tight five is a disaster-in-waiting if the Crabs front rowers can exert their dominance early. The Vikings have previously been able to rely on veteran rake Tom Delonge, but it is fair to say he has been below par this season (F: +.09). Another concern for the Vikings is at full back. Late season signing, Kelvin Fung has not delivered on his undoubted promise (F: -.10) and it is almost a surprise that he hasn't been relegated to the bench to give Ben Jacobs a spell at Full Back and Henry Marshall a return to the centres. In contrast, the Crabs enter this game with an embarrasment of riches at their disposal. Ginger Furball has transformed himself from mediocre also-ran to a model full back (F: +.23) with only Bobby Blunder ahead of him for Test honours. The Crabs pack is throughout with only some elementary handling errors letting them down from time-to-time. The form player amongst them is Geraint Martyn (F: +.33) who is rumoured to be under consideration for Test honours this season. He takes up the boot of the scrum being the undoubted strength of Zinzan Brumby and the bizarreness of utility man Jake Howe If the Vikings expect to be able to overcome the Crabs' pack by playing a backline game, then they will meet the growing talents of Chuck Faldo - a reliable player who has come from nowhere this season to be playing in the semi final, and the mercurial talents of John Heads (F: +0.22) who can give you a cracker one week and then disgrace himself the next. The defensive prowess of Daniel Speirs could also prove useful if the game turns into an arm wrestle. Key Battle: John Heads vs. Steve Cambridge Key Player (Crabs): Ginger Furball. Much relies on his handling and distribution as well as place kicking. Key Player (Vikings): Steve Cambridge. They need to win this game, not have a narrow loss. That means tries will be required. Cambridge can make that happen. What the Crabs Want: Not much really. An early injury to Ben Manera might help. What the Vikings Want: Dry weather and easy handling. Anything to reduce the opportunity for set piece to be a dominant factor in the game. Prediction: The Crabs have too much here. The Vikings may have shot their load early in their narrow loss in week 10. Crabs by 13+. Crabs 32 - 15 Vikings