Final treat as Super 12 wizards flex their muscles

WITH just three days to go to the Heineken Cup final, the failure of either Munster or Leinster to emerge from their respective semi-finals takes greatly from the event. I sincerely hope, both for the sake of the competition and for the ability of Ireland to host a major European sporting event that the Dublin public turns up in large numbers.

Meanwhile, 12,000 miles away in Auckland, the showpiece of Southern Hemisphere provincial rugby, the Super 12 final, takes place. It is fitting that the two best teams in the league format, the Auckland Blues and the Canterbury Crusaders, meet in the final. If you are not travelling to Dublin, I suggest you tune to Sky Sports at 8.30 on Saturday morning.

In keeping with its history, the quality of rugby in this year’s competition has been outstanding. Given that it is now World Cup season in the southern hemisphere, competition for places in the national squads of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa has added even more bite to this year’s event.