The Original Game » eat by the Brumbies, a loss that immediately

After 17 regular season rounds and two weeks of playoffs, Super Rugby has arrived at its finale. Cheap NFL Jerseys Online . Fortunately SANZAAR powerbrokers can breathe easy, as the two best teams have won through to the decider despite a horribly inequitable draw. The Hurricanes and Lions have played some outstanding rugby this season and, crucially, looked to have peaked at exactly the right moment.The Hurricanes season began with an embarrassing 52-10 defeat by the Brumbies, a loss that immediately raised doubts over their potential to challenge for the title without Maa Nonu and Conrad Smith. A narrow loss to the Highlanders followed a week later before Chris Boyds side finally hit their straps, winning 11 or their last 13 - including a 50-17 thumping of the Lions in Johannesburg - to claim top spot at the end of the regular season.While the Hurricanes finished with a flourish, it was clear the Lions would be South Africas only genuine title contenders from the outset. The Joburg side began their campaign in Tokyo before a win over the Chiefs, in Hamilton, really got their season rolling. There were slip-ups against both the Hurricanes and Crusaders at home, but victories over the Blues and Highlanders (semifinal) showed theyve got the game that belongs at the tail end of the season.SquadsHurricanes: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (captain), Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Ben May,Dane Coles (captain )/Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli/Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes/Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Tony Lamborn, Jamison Gibson Park, Vince Aso, Julian Savea.Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has been bracketed for the Super Rugby final at a sold-out Westpac Stadium. If he is fit to play, he will be the only change to the team that started the semifinal win over the Chiefs last weekend. Ricky Riccitelli, who started at hooker against the Chiefs, has once again been bracketed with his skipper for the final, while there are also two late calls to be made in the reserves. Openside Callum Gibbins, who missed the semifinal with an Achilles injury, has once again been bracketed with Tony Lamborn, while prop Reggie Goodes has also been bracketed with Mike Kainga as he continues to work through concussion protocols. Colesy has made good progress each day and clearly hes very keen to play in the final, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said. He will do everything he can to be fit for kick-off and if he doesnt make it then we have every confidence Ricky and Leni step up and do a good job if required. Its a similar situation on the bench where were very fortunate to have some quality depth should Callum or Reggie not be able to prove their fitness in time. We will give them all as much time as they need before making the final call.Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnal Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf De Klerk; Warren Whiteley (c), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylon Smith. Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Lourens Erasmus, Ruan Ackermann, Ross Cronje, Howard Mnisi, Jaco van der Walt.After missing the Lions semifinal triumph over the Highlanders, Lions skipper Warren Whiteley is back to lead his franchise in its maiden Super Rugby decider. The side is otherwise unchanged from last week, giving the South Africans great familiarity across the paddock.?Weve learnt a lot in the last couple of years and were fortunate enough to have a lot of continuity in the squad, Whiteley said. Weve learnt how to make the best of hard tours and have fun.Key matchup: Beauden Barrett vs. Elton JantjiesThe battle at No.10 is central to every rugby contest, but it takes on greater significance this week given the sensational recent form of both Beauden Barrett and Elton Jantjies.Barrett has long been regarded as a classy pivot, but the Taranaki native has taken his game to new levels this season by a coming up with a series of brilliant individual plays that highlight the gulf in skill between New Zealands playmakers and those in other parts of the world. But he has also developed a greater control of the finer points of fly-half play, and the ability to guide his team around paddock - something he did superbly in cyclonic conditions in Wellington two weeks ago. He may just be the best player on the planet right now, though that may not even be enough to see him don the All Blacks No.10 jersey in Bledisloe I.Much of the same can be said for Jantjies. A player of immense ability, the Lions pivot has taken a little longer to fulfil his potential; but buoyed by a Test return against Ireland last month, the 26-year-old fly-half really has the Lions humming. Blessed with a big left boot and a slick passing game, Jantjies has been at the heart of the Lions entertaining and free-running approach - evidenced by the two try-assists he laid on against the Highlanders last week.Key stats (Opta Stats)- The Hurricanes have won nine of their 10 encounters with the Lions in Super Rugby, including each of their last seven. In those last seven wins they have beaten the South African side by an average of 15.3 points per game.- Not since 2012 has a Super Rugby final been decided by more than the value of a converted try (Chiefs 37-6 Sharks).- This final pitches the best attack against the best defence, the Lions have averaged a competition high 36.4 points and 4.8 tries per game whilst the Hurricanes have conceded a league low 19 points per game.- The Lions (25) and Hurricanes (23) have scored the second and third most tries from possessions originating in their own half respectively this season, only the Crusaders (26) have scored more.WeatherKnown for its wind and rain, Wellington is expecting some slippery conditions throughout most of Saturday. The New Zealand capital will only hit a top of nine degrees during the day, but expect that to drop a few notches by the time kick-off rolls around.UBET verdict: Hurricanes $1.33, Lions $3.40 [correct as at 2/8]The Canes lost the home final last year, and UBET customers think they will atone in 2016 as they have been sensationally backed to beat the Lions. This will be the first time since Round 3 in March that any of the Lions first XV have ventured outside of South Africa - given their second-string team went to Argentina - so that is a plus for them. These two played in Joburg back in April, and on that occasion the Lions were slight underdogs and were thumped 50-17 -- the Canes scoring seven tries to three. The Canes have won all eight matches against the Lions on NZ soil, and realistically should be holding the trophy aloft on Saturday night.PredictionDriven by the final defeat of 2015 and the knowledge they remain the only New Zealand franchise still to win a Super Rugby final, this looks like the Hurricanes final to lose. Furthermore, only one team has won a Super Rugby decider in another country - the seven-time champion Crusaders. But it extends beyond sentiment and statistics, the Hurricanes have been nothing short of exemplary since the June Test break - their key men in career-best form. The Lions are loaded with rising talent, but their fairytale story could use another year of development.Hurricanes by seven. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Nike NFL Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. http://www.stitchedjerseysnfl.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester.Rafael Nadals attempt to win a ninth Monte Carlo Masters title gets underway on Wednesday when he meets British number two Aljaz Bedene, live on Sky Sports 2. The Spaniard memorably won eight successive events in the principality, from 2005 to 2012, but has not reached the final since 2013 when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic.With the French Open the next major on the calendar Nadal will be hoping for a return to title-winning ways - he has not won a tournament since Hamburg in August 2015 and has lost his last three finals (albeit to Djokovic twice and Roger Federer once). The world No 5 reached the semi-final at Indian Wells before losing to Djokovic and it was the formidable world No 1 who saw off Nadal in the Spaniards only final this year (Doha in January). Aljaz Bedene will take on Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career Britains Bedene, ranked 60th in the world, provides the opposition in a first ever meeting between the pair and Nadal will start as strong favourite in some of his preferred surroundings.On the subject of surroundings, Monte Carlo resident Djokovic will not have to travel to far for his first outing on clay - he faces Czech Jiri Vesely in second round action on Tuesday.Djokovic, winner of the first two Masters events of the year to go with his Australian Open title, has never faced the World No 55 before but is the defending champion after victory over Tomas Berdych in 2015.Despite a low-key season to date Vesely could provide a tricky test for the Serb having won a first round encounter with Teymuraz Gabashvili off the back of a run to the semi-finals on clay in Marrakech last week.Stan Wawrinka opens proceedings on Court Central against Philipp Kohlschreiber, while home favourite Gael Monfils is also in action against Fabio Fognini. Richard Gasquet meets Lucas Pouille in an all-French clash while the identity of Andy Murrays next opponent will emerge from Joao Sousas meeting with Benoit Paire. One to watchMilos Raonic is one of the form players of the year, reaching the semi-final in Melbourne, the final at Indian Wells and the quarter-final in Miami having started the season with victory in the Brisbane international. Pablo Cuevas has won two events already this year - both on clay However, Argentinian Pablo Cuevas could rightly lay claim to the title as well, he is one of five players with multiple singles titles on the tour this year, winning on the clay in both Rio and Sao Paulo and he is sure to give the big serving Canadian a tough workout.Raonic won their only previous meeting in Portugal in 2014 but both players have improved immeasurably in the two years since with Raonic tipped as the next man to break the stranglehold on the big four at thhe majors and 30-year-old Cuevass two title this year just one less than his has previously managed in his career. Wholesale NFL Authentic Jerseys. Surprise in store Damir Dzumhur beat Rafael Nadal at the Miami Masters Damir Dzumhur saw off Nadal in the second round in Miami so will fancy his chances of a possible upset against world No 7 Tomas Berdych.The Czech lost in last years Monte Carlo final and has two wins from the two meetings between the pair but both were on outdoor hard courts.World No 99 Dzumhur made the last 16 in Florida but lost to Berdych in Doha earlier this year - he blows hot and cold but Berdych will have to be on his game if he is to advance.In case you missed itAndy Murray was made to work for his second round victory against Pierre-Hugues Herbert which came in three tough sets while number eight seed David Ferrer withdrew from the event with an unspecified injury.Roger Federers return from injury was perhaps the major story of the day, the Swiss has not played since the Australian Open following knee surgery and a stomach bug but he saw off Guillermo Garcia Lopez in fine style.However it was Feliciano Lopez who delivered a memorable moment, a furious blast in the direction of the umpire with whom he was less than impressed... Feliciano Lopez was furious with the umpire after a call when against him in his match against David Goffin Watch the Monte Carlo Masters on Sky Sports all this week, Wednesdays action is underway at 9.30am on Sky Sports 2.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Murray made to work for win Federer victorious Ferrer withdraws in Monte-Carlo Tennis on Sky ' ' '