Heavyweight battles in Super Rugby don’t get any bigger than the Crusaders playing the Chiefs. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:20pm (AEST).
The early season game between these two saw the Chiefs blow the Crusaders off the park with a convincing 40-16 victory.
They come into this off the back of a bye and regain Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Ngatai from injury.
Rising star Brad Weber will start in the scrum half position, while there is some stability in their forward pack which will remain unchanged.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said, “The Crusaders are a quality side. Our previous encounters with them have been of Test match intensity and this is a must win game for both sides to remain in touch with the Hurricanes.”
The Crusaders will add experience to their starting line-up after a disappointing loss to the Highlanders last week.
The Crusaders dominated for much of the first half but couldn’t get away from the Highlanders, who are one of the competitions most improved sides.
Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw will start for Ryan Crotty, who is recovering from a head knock, and Matt Todd, relegated to the bench, respectively.
This time last year the Crusaders won a nail-biter 19-18 in Waikato, but they lost their game at home last year 18-10.
Something tells me this is going to be another tight one, and a very enjoyable game to boot.
Prediction
A tough game to pick and with so much at stake it’s unlikely we will see a blowout, so I’m going to go with a draw.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of the match from 5:40pm AEST, and don’t forget to get involved in the comments section below.
Mark
Guest
Not going to happen Against NZ Employment Law
Bfc
Guest
Sorry to hear that Cruden is out of the RWC due to his knee injury. Not an ABs supporter by any means but a rugby fan that wants to see the best players all play in The RWC. His injury will also have a major effect on the Chiefs...
Magnus
Guest
Looks like cruden may be gone for season , now it gets interesting ,
taylorman
Roar Guru
It is Crudens goalkicking that is causing Hansen the headache, and now its his potential injury. Carter has not played like Carter for at leaset 3 seasons and on form shouldnt even make the saders side. Barrett has been relatively poor as a starting 10 in tests, highlighted by his flat performance at Ellis last year. he's been good at SXV level but his real strength is as sub, probably the best sub in test history in terms of impact, coming on and almost single handedly winning tests. Slade has commitments elsewhere. No way Hansen will have him as starting 10 for that reason, and he is hardly playing the position, though with Cruden out he would be my next choice. If Cruden's out, Sopo'aga enters the mix...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Cruden has started 24 tests for 24 wins. How influential do you want? He is far superior to Sexton who cracks under pressure. He runs the line better than any 10 in the last few years and adds variation second to none. He has a proven winning record with both the U20's, Chiefs and the AB's. He was there for the 100% record in 2013. Cruden is a large part of the AB success since 2012. Perhaps you haven't been following? Because those comments are just way off the mark.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Trouble is Jerry that in Carters case injury is his failing. He is 'endlessly injured' so represents a risk. Now that Cruden has now been felled, if its serious then we won't be in as good as a position. Cruden has still to start a losing test.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes thats what I mentioned when I referred to Pau...who are they and what have they done for NZ rugby other than scalp individuals. If we are going to train and feed our boys rugby for a decade or two before the overseas clubs take them our union should be compensated in some way.
defunkt
Guest
Only if one subscribed to the view Joubert didn't ref the RWC final impartially. I do not.
Magnus
Guest
Richie is amazing , he's rugbys most valuable asset for his grace style and high level standard over a very long time in a very demanding position , but there will come a time when he can't do all of his core role and I think that time is now , or very close to it he's 35 , gee we are asking a lot of him
Magnus
Guest
Taylorman , he's a fine player but is he influential enough at int level , he doesn't stand out the way Aaron smith does , he's also not as good as sexton , dagg is by far and away the best prospect , size skill boot temperament and big match performance , I'll give you cruden always at 100 percent effort and shirks nothing , when's the last time abs were blowing away teams by half time , completely nullifying goal kicks that Nh teams depend on , we know they can't score tries And the abs can , this is the defining difference , so assemble a back line who can do this as well as intimidate in defense Ben s , savea naholo ranger nonu /fekitoa. Dagg a smith . Read cane kaino tupiloto retalic o franks Coles fauamina res There's plenty of options but that's my team to start
Taylorman
Guest
Nothing's out yet OB. Can't see anything yet at least.
Old Bugger
Guest
Cheers t-man....but, a bit worried about his recent injury. Any news??
Old Bugger
Guest
RT You're not wrong mate....especially, about this bloke. Only he knows where his space is and quite rightly, he won't hesitate to speak up if that space, is blocked.
Magnus
Guest
Transfer system where nz gets compensation for growing and training players , it's crazy how nz gets nothing for there efforts in propping up the quality of world wide rugby through players and coaches . The irb should be ashamed that this is allowed to go on especially to a tier one nation with by far the smallest pool of players every NH side has nz players and coaches in them . Take the transfer money retain our players we want
Magnus
Guest
Mike forget carter he's done on being able to play international rugby , frankly you wouldn't pick him to start at any nz super 15 team at 5/8 he's dreadful put dagg at 5/8 like they did with larkem only dagg more skilled , he would be worlds best
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Its strange we are all discuss this now. Only a few months ago, many here (on the Roar) were suggesting Hansen was holding back something for the RWC.... I wonfer what they are thinking now. Earlier last year Richie McCaw was said to be over the hill ... he shut up a lot of his critics ... right up to a few months ago. Now the new season is under way, the same drumbeat is being made. No one questions that 'age will' slow him down but to suggest that he will not make a significant contribution in my opinion is leading with your chin. I might be wrong but if Richie felt he was becoming a liability, I reckon he'd pull the pin himself, he will not need to be pushed.
Taylorman
Guest
Can't agree with Cruden. He is our most successful 10 at test level on percentages. Has never lost a test he's started, and the only test he has lost is when he came on at 64 minutes versus England in 2012 at 34-12 down. Was the main 10 for e 100% season in 2013, and was sorely missed at Ellis last year. Cruden will be the starting 10 for this World Cup.
Jerry
Guest
"he failed in 2007" Well, no, he got injured. The AB's were leading when he went off in that 1/4.
Magnus
Guest
Carter has been a great player , but his star has been descending for a long time , he failed in 2007 , got injured in 2011 and frankly has done very very little since , his effort against Scotland almost contributed to a loss for abs so inept was the performance , I don't think blackader wants to pick him certainly not at 5/8 and he's always good for at least one intercept per match . His test career is done well and truly , the reality people have on him is he's still got it , the actuality is you wouldn't pick him for a start in any nz super 15 side . Sooner or later abs are going to go forward with out richie , I think that time has come , as great as he has been he will be 35 this year and no longer capable of doing his core roll , hansen I feel has left all of this transition of players way too late and has ended up being way to close and mates to these veterans , I guess we will see in a short time won't we . At least he could put dagg at 5/8 now and do a larkham he's got the most skill of any ab , put Ben s at fullback
Magnus
Guest
Cruden is too small and while whole hearted is not what you'd call a great and influential test player dagg is and has the size , time and skill to be one of the greats at 5/8 , sopoaga would be next he could be very good in top company of abs currently nz best goal kicker . Slade is ok but hardly above a good super 15 player , ranger needs to be at 13 , he'd be in any other test team this guy scares on attack and defense , he attracts defenses like flies , naholo needs to be picked this year , he's easily the form nz winger, would be sensational in abs , we pick him now we get him back , rather than have him in 3years playing for France