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Friday evening’s Canterbury Crusaders versus Auckland Blues Super Rugby opener at Eden Park will set the temperature for an epic first round. Join us for live scores and blog as the Super Rugby season starts from 5:30pm ADST (7:30pm local).
A single point is all that separated New Zealand’s top two franchises last year, the Crusaders ranking third over Auckland’s fourth in the final standings.
Canterbury’s quake ridden campaign of 2011 is not lost on this occasion, given this week marks the one year anniversary of when everything changed for coach Blackadder’s camp. And while 12 months on, their off-field challenges continue, this week’s limitations also include fielding a lineup minus World Cup winning captain Richie McCaw and ace No. 10, Dan Carter.
Caretaker captain Kieran Read fills McCaw’s boots with distinction, and leads a powerhouse pack harboring Ben Franks, Wyatt Crocket, Sam and George Whitelock, and standout openside flanker Matt Todd.
Surprisingly, Owen Franks was dropped to the bench beside fellow All Black Corey Flynn, but both will be required before the expiry of 80 minutes.
That’s because Blues captain Keven Mealamu heads an equally formidable lineup made doubly dangerous on home soil. NZ Player of the Year Jerome Kaino powers-up the back row while twin-towers Anthony Boric and Ali Williams will police Auckland’s skyline.
Former Wellingtonians Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu are coach Pat Lam’s most recent assets, Lam the benefactor of fallout around the Hurricanes’ miserable 2011 campaign. Nonu has just returned from a stint in Japan, meaning he’ll be in the terraces while Weepu makes his debut in Blue from the bench.
The centerpiece of this showdown is not likely to be the big names of NZ Rugby. It will involve emerging talents at No10, Canterbury’s Tyler Bleyendaal versus Auckland’s Michael Hobbs.
Last year 21-year-old Bleyendaal sat idle in the shadow of Matt Berquist, Dan Carter’s preferred deputy. Pre-season form and an impressive junior resume that includes captaining New Zealand’s U20 team to a world title justifies his start.
Michael Hobbs boasts a lowly 10 caps with seven points to his name. That’s because 18 months ago he underwent back surgery that almost ended his career.
Despite playing with screws in his spine, the young talent has registered undeniable pre-season form and starts on merit.
Both pivots will seek to unleash electrifying firepower out wide, namely Sean Maitland, Robbie Freaun and Israel Dagg for Canterbury, against locals Rene Ranger, Rudi Wolf and Isaia Toeava.
Ticket sales have already surpassed 20,000, which was the attendance of last year’s opener. Auckland CEO Andy Dalton anticipates at least a 10,000 increase this time round, reflective of local expectations that a Blues brigade bolstered by Weepu and Nonu are embarking on their best season yet.
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.