Making its return to Planet Rugby, we bring you Super charged, in which we preview the main talking points ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby action.

Super Rugby semi-final 1 – Jaguares v Brumbies

The winners of the South African and Australian conferences begin the semi-final action on Friday after successfully negotiating their last-eight encounters. For the Jags, it was a tight contest as they edged past the Chiefs 21-16 while the Brumbies had an easier time of it, comfortably dispatching the Sharks 38-13.

On the basis of those results, the Canberra-based outfit should be considered favourites going into the match in Buenos Aires but, in truth, it tells us little, other than that the sides are in good form heading into the game.

Dan McKellar’s men certainly have a few disadvantages that they have to overcome if they are to win, specifically travel and rest. The Australians have a shorter turnaround than their Argentinian counterpart and have a tougher preparation with jet lag potentially an issue leading into the showdown. It therefore gives the Jaguares, who are looking to reach the final for the first time, a distinct edge.

It is not an impossible task, however, and McKellar may actually look towards Gonzalo Quesada’s charges as to how they can master those problems. The Jaguares’ away record during the regular season was hugely impressive and they evidently managed their players excellently when flying to Australia and New Zealand, but it may still be a significant factor in the outcome.

McKellar also has the problem of finding a game plan which will overturn a superb Jaguares team. Quesada’s outfit actually defeated the Brumbies 20-15 earlier in the campaign and last week overcame a fully-loaded Chiefs side, which included Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane.

Ultimately, these teams are very equally matched on paper but the opening 20 minutes will be crucial as to how the Brumbies react to their disrupted preparation.

Super Rugby semi-final 2 – Crusaders v Hurricanes

The weekend’s action concludes in Christchurch where these two New Zealand heavyweights face off in what should be a superb advert for the game between two of the best attacking sides in the competition.

As the champions and, with the game being played on their home turf, the Crusaders will start as overwhelming favourites. Scott Robertson’s charges have, once again, been in excellent form this year and are leading most of the tournament’s attacking statistics.

The nine-time champions occupy first place for tries scored (78), clean breaks (238), carries (2022) and metres carried (8089) but the Hurricanes are no slouches in each of the aforementioned departments and are third for tries scored (64), fourth for clean breaks (189), fifth for carries (1970) and second for metres carried (7970).

However, the men from Wellington are the tournament’s leading side for defenders beaten (451) while the Crusaders are next best with 421. Those statistics sets the scene for an entertaining encounter between two teams who have amongst the world’s best attacking players in their ranks.

Although the Crusaders’ forwards hold an edge over their counterparts, the two backlines are evenly matched with Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece and David Havili expected to lead the Crusaders’ charge, while TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, Beauden and Jordie Barrett will be at the forefront of the Hurricanes’ onslaught.