Watch Live Super rugby Online
VENUE & TIME: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Friday March 10, 19:35 NZST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 10, Chiefs 2, Crusaders 8
LAST TIME: March 5, 2005 (Christchurch) - Chiefs 18-50 Crusaders.
Find Us on Face book:Chiefs vs Crusaders live stream
WALKING WOUNDED: It's been a tough week at the office for the Chiefs in the injury department. The Waikato-based franchise originally looked to have paid the price for its 35-17 victory over the Reds with second five-eighths Sam Tuitupou injuring his shoulder in the match, while halfback Byron Kelleher suffered a rib injury and fullback
Mils Muliaina was also injured. However, coach Ian Foster has named all three stars in his starting lineup for Friday's game and the only notable omission is wing Sosene Anesi out of the side on Commonwealth Games duty.
For the Crusaders, only several minor injuries will be of concern. Prop Campbell Johnstone will be relieved of duty on Friday night after failing to recover from a calf strain. Johnstone is replaced in the starting line-up by Wyatt Crockett, while Ben Franks takes a spot on the bench. In positive news for the club, skipper Richie McCaw has been named as a starter despite suffering from a blow to the thigh which kept him out of contact training earlier in the week and second five-eighths Aaron Mauger is also back in the side.
FORM: The Chiefs marked their return to New Zealand last Friday night with a thoroughly dominant performance over the hapless Reds. The performance was cohesive and showed all the hallmarks of a side beginning to realise its true potential. The home side have now secured two wins in a row but face likely the toughest test of the Rebel Sport Super 14
competition when they take on frontrunners the Crusaders on Friday night.
The Crusaders, despite leading the competition table and storming home over the Blues on Saturday night, are yet to hit their straps. The side was behind 9-10 to the Blues at half-time and if not for the boot of first five-eighths star Dan Carter could well have been scoreless in the first half. However, a second half blitz has signalled that the Canterbury-based franchise may be ready to start firing on all cylinders.
WHO'S HOT: Stephen Donald was inspirational in the backline during last week's romp over the Reds. The wiry back is fast-becoming a proficient first five-eighths and the Chiefs will once again look to him to lead the way on attack.
McCaw was simply superb for the Crusaders in their win over the Blues. His impressive skills at the ruck had the Blues reeling throughout the second half and his barnstorming runs helped the home side to plenty of important metres in front of its parochial Cantabrian crowd. Lock Chris Jack is also in deadly form at lineout time and fullback Leon MacDonald gave the Blues all sorts of headaches with his evasive running game.
WE THINK: The Chiefs were on fire last week against the Reds but to beat the Crusaders it will require them to step up their performance ten-fold. The home side must turn on another exceptional display if they are to push the Crusaders to the finish. However, last week's second half romp over a lack-lustre Blues outfit appears to be a pre-cursor of more to come for the stunning Crusaders. We think the Crusaders by 12 or under.
TEAMS:
Chiefs: 1 - Simms Davison, 2 - Tom Willis, 3 - Ben Castle, 4 - Jono Gibbes (Captain), 5 - Bernie Upton, 6 - Steven Bates, 7 - Marty Holah, 8 - Sione Lauaki, 9 - Byron Kelleher, 10 - Stephen Donald, 11 - Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12 - Sam Tuitupou, 13 - Mark Ranby, 14 - Anthony Tahana, 15 - Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: 16 - Aleki Lutui, 17 - Deacon Manu, 18 - Sean Hohneck, 19 - Kristian Ormsby, 20 - Jamie Nutbrown, 21 - David Hill, 22 - Loki Crichton.
Crusaders: 1 - Wyatt Crockett, 2 - Corey Flynn, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Chris Jack, 5 - Ross Filipo, 6 - Reuben Thorne, 7 - Richard McCaw (Captain), 8 - Mose Tuiali'i, 9 - Andrew Ellis, 10 - Daniel Carter, 11 - Scott Hamilton, 12 - Aaron Mauger, 13 - Caleb Ralph, 14 - Rico Gear, 15 - Leon MacDonald.
Reserves: 16 - Tone Kopelani, 17 - Ben Franks, 18 - Brad Mika, 19 - Johnny Leo'o, 20 - Kevin Senio, 21 - Cameron McIntyre, 22 - Casey Laulala.