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Saturday evening, Australian time, will see the all-New Zealand semi-final clash between the Chiefs and the Crusaders.
The Chiefs finished the Super Rugby ladder in first place, and were awarded a first-round bye. On the other hand, the Crusaders finished in fourth, and made the semi-finals after a comprehensive 38-9 victory over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch last weekend.
The Kiwis finished the first half with a 21-6 lead, scoring two tries and three penalties, while the Reds scored two penalties.
Quade Cooper put a penalty away early in the second half to bring the Reds’ total up to nine, but the Crusaders took an impressive lead with two converted tries and one penalty.
As defending champions and Super Rugby ladder winners, the first semi-final is the Chiefs’ to loose. Six points separated the Crusaders, in fourth, and the Chiefs, in first, on the Super Rugby overall ladder.
The first meeting between the two teams in round 15 of the current season was won 28-19 by the Chiefs, who were playing at home.
However, after a slow start to the year, the Crusaders have found some good form. They have not lost a match since their round 15 loss to the Chiefs, even defeating their semi-final opponents 43-15 along the way.
They enter the semi-final match with impressive momentum, and it will be difficult for the Chiefs to hold out their opponents.
The Crusaders became the first side to score four tries against the Reds this season, as the British and Irish Lions only managed one try in their 22-12 win.
A Chiefs victory will mean that they will host the Super Rugby grand-final on Saturday, 3rd August, at Waikato Stadium.
If the Crusaders win, the final will be played at either the Canberra Stadium or in Pretoria, depending on the result of the second semi-final between the Brumbies and Bulls.
Prediction: Crusaders to win by seven points
Catch The Roar’s live scores and blog from the Chiefs vs Crusaders right here 5.35pm AEST on Saturday night.
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.