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The All Black-laden Crusaders host a buoyant Lions side in Round 5 of Super Rugby in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary as the action kicks off from 2:30pm (AEST).
After a rather ordinary yet not untraditional start to the season which has seen the Crusaders win one and lose two of their opening three matches, they welcome the cavalry back for this weekend’s match with the Lions.
The Crusaders side for this weekend’s match features no less than six All Blacks in the forward pack with each of Franks, Whitelock, Read and McCaw all amongst the world’s elite players in their respective positions. Throw in a 9-10-12 combination of Ellis, Slade and Carter, not to mention the returning Nadolo who was so effective for the red and blacks on the wing last year, and Todd Blackadder must be looking north towards his counterpart at the Blues with perhaps just a hint of a wry smile.
Tours down under are not often the happiest times for touring South African teams with wins tending to be few and far between, particularly in the Lions’ case. But they must be feeling somewhat upbeat after dispatching of the Blues in Albany last weekend. Sure, the Blues were woeful, but a win is a win and the Lions will have a spring in their step as they head South to Christchurch.
Not that the Lions have any real reason to feel overly optimistic having never won in Christchurch in the seven matches held there between the two teams. In fact the Crusaders only home loss to the Lions came in a match played in Nelson in 2001 when the Lions won by 32-31.
Out of the 17 matches between the Crusaders and the Lions or Johannesburg based teams, the Crusaders have been victorious in 14, a winning record of 76%. Compelling statistics.
It’s hard to see that changing this week as the two teams look world aparts on paper, not that this is necessarily an indication to results on the rugby field.
One can sense however that with the Crusaders mediocre start to the season, the embarrassment they will no doubt be carrying over from their humbling by the Chiefs a fortnight ago and the fact they are at home, it’s almost like a perfect storm is brewing with conditions perfect to have the Crusaders machine firing for the first time this season.
Players to Watch:
For the Crusaders it’s hard to go past the usual suspects in Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. It’s been a wretched few years for Carter as injury after injury have eaten into his playing time and confidence.
If he is to make a serious tilt at a certain tournament later this year than he is going to need to start stringing games together, starting on Saturday. At his best he is almost peerless in his position but don’t expect too much against the Lions this weekend, solid and 60 minutes would be a great result for all involved.
McCaw dons his preferred number 7 jersey this weekend as Matt Todd sits this one out and we can expect to see more impact from him as a result.
Not that the great man isn’t a more than capable number 6, it’s just his influence on the game isn’t quite what it is when he wears 7, which shouldn’t be surprising given he is quite possibly the greatest 7 ever to play the game. Expect McCaw to show his influence in this game.
For the Lions Jaco Kriel has been in strong form so far in 2015. An athletic proposition who gets over the ball and can make a nuisance of himself, the Crusaders will have to be on their game in clearing Kriel out at the breakdown if they want to have any chance of playing a fluid, high tempo game.
No longer a new kid on the block Elton Jantjies is the man who pulls the strings for the Lions. Jantjies will be tasked with pinning the Crusaders back into their half and for kicking any points on offer, the Lions will look to him to guide them around the field.
Prediction: The Crusaders will have far too much class for the Lions in this game. The Lions will battle hard in the first half but expect the Crusaders to run away with it in the end. Crusaders by 22.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2.30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.