Looming Crusaders to provide Brumbies' sternest 2014 test

This has been one of the better Super Rugby tournaments in years. The Aussies are keeping everyone honest with some great results, but the biggest surprise is how poorly the South African franchises have been performing.

The Sharks are keeping right in the mix, but the next team in the South African conference are the Bulls, who are 11 points behind the Sharks in 10th place. This could be a concern for the Springbok loyalist.

As I wrote recently, we all know the truth about New Zealand in Super Rugby. What I didn’t elaborate on was the biggest threat to New Zealand supremacy coming across the Tasman; the A in Anzac. Who would have thought the Western Force would put the Bulls away, as well as the Chiefs in Round 6? They did it again to the Waratahs in Round 9. It’s like a bad western about how the West was won, or how the West keeps on winning.

The Force are in a similar position to the Highlanders after an inspirational win over the table-topping Sharks, who are looking shaky before they tour Australia and New Zealand. The Highlanders, like the Force, prove big names are great on paper but it’s what happens on the field that matters. These two teams are a reflection of what rugby is all about – determination, courage, commitment and passion. When you have that formula, special things can and will happen.

The biggest threat to all concerned is the Brumbies. Unless you’re their fan, then all’s well on the ACT front. The Chiefs, the former head of the New Zealand conference, got hammered from one end of the field to the other in Canberra. The Brumbies took complete control from start until the finish, and it wasn’t until the later stages when the Brumbies were getting sick of picking on them that the Chiefs made some progress.

The Chiefs, current heavyweight champions, are in an injury rut with the list getting into double digits and All Black No. 10 Aaron Cruden out with a broken thumb. They are not the nasty animal they once were because they’re unstructured with no sting in their tail.

The Brumbies exposed them in multiple areas, with captain Liam Messam trying to tackle his team out of trouble. He can’t be everywhere and is really feeling the pressure without his technical backline support leader, Cruden. The Chiefs, once counterattacking nightmares, are now vulnerable.

Deep in New Zealand’s South Island, there is a caged animal waiting to be let out. The Crusaders, who have been one of the most frustrating teams to watch in the opening rounds, are full of All Blacks yet struggle to get a simple pass right. The Crusaders have one of the best Super Rugby records. They won every game in the 2002 season, a feat that no team has managed since. They made the final in 2003, 2004, and 2011 and between 2004 and 2007, they won 26 consecutive home games.

Great records aside, the Brumbies are heading into the cold South looking to put the Kiwis to bed and silence any doubts that they are the real deal. The Crusaders have won twice in South Africa and then had a bye to prepare for the Brumbies, and are looking to give their home crowd a reason to cheer.

The Crusaders are gaining momentum and looking to fight back with the possibility of Richie McCaw returning to rally the team. Colin Slade is in great form with a talented boot. He will give Mogg a real challenge with his technical experience to find a hole in the seemingly indestructible defence.

The Crusaders’ forwards, all eight of them, are brimming with experience, ability, and a new found determination. This won’t be a walk in the park for the Brumbies. They have Corey Flynn, the most capped player on 128 caps, Wyatt Crockett, a veteran Crusader with 115 caps, and Owen Franks. They also have Luke Ramano, Sam Whitelock, and Kieran Read, one of the best No. 8s in the world.

Read, who got rattled by Savea a few weeks back, will look to dictate the loose forwards. He will test the Brumbies mobility and defence in the thick of it, or out wide with his fancy offload.

The Crusaders and Brumbies have a very colourful history. The Crusaders beat the Brumbies in the final at Canberra in 2000 and they met again and won in 2002, before the Brumbies got one back in 2004. This Saturday will be the Brumbies’ biggest challenge yet in 2014.

Round 12 is a few rounds past halfway and only four rounds before the break and the beginning of the international Tests.

For the Crusaders, Bulls and Blues, this is their final opportunity to run for the playoffs. The New Zealand conference is tight with only six points separating the Hurricanes 26 points and the Blues on 20. The lead is still anyone’s for the taking.

The Australians have the Brumbies at the top with 30 points, while the Reds are on the bottom with 16 points. The most dramatic gap is on the South African points table, with the Sharks on 31 points way ahead of the Stormers on 10 points.

The New Zealanders have all five teams in the top ten, while Australia has three teams and South Africa two.

In Super Rugby 2014, it’s a case of who dares wins.