The Crusaders have edged out the Hurricanes in a very well contested affair in front of a sold out crowd.
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Final score
Crusaders 20
Hurricanes 12
Two Super Rugby title aspirants face off tonight as the Crusaders play the Hurricanes in a match that promises to be a very high-quality affair. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm AEST.
The unbeaten Crusaders and defending champion Hurricanes will face a major test of their title ambitions Saturday when they meet in the 12th round of Super Rugby.
The Christchurch-based Crusaders are unbeaten in 10 matches and sit atop the New Zealand conference while the Wellington-based Hurricanes are in third place with eight wins from nine games, separated from the Crusaders by the Hamilton-based Chiefs who have nine wins from 10 games.
Both the Crusaders have strolled through recent matches and Saturday’s encounter marks a considerable step up in intensity for both teams with only five regular-season rounds remaining before the playoffs.
Matches between New Zealand teams which dominate the tournament standings have been the best in Super Rugby this season and Saturday’s clash at Christchurch is likely to see another increase in standards.
The intensity in New Zealand derbies remains unrivalled throughout Super Rugby, and with All Blacks jerseys on the line, every player will be keen to leave a great impression in a bid to wear the famed All Blacks uniform.
The Hurricanes and Crusaders are both playing outstanding attacking rugby this season – the Hurricanes lead the tournament with 63 tries – and that will likely lead to an eager battle for possession.
Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett has been superb in guiding his team’s attacking play and he looms as the greatest threat to the Crusaders’ unbeaten record. Their ability to limit the tactical threat of Barrett’s kicking game will go a long way to deciding the outcome.
The Crusaders have gained a new lease on life this season under rookie head coach Scott Robertson. After wretched starts to recent seasons, they have begun this year with an unprecedented winning streak.
But while they have easily won recent matches against inter-conference rivals – beating South Africa’s Bulls 62-24, Cheetahs 48-21 and the Stormers 57-24 in their last three matches – they have been less comfortable against New Zealand opponents. The Crusaders needed remarkable come-from-behind performances to beat the Dunedin-based Highlanders and Auckland-base Blues early in the season.
Their attack has developed in recent weeks and they have been formidable even in the absence of several leading players.
Both teams will be without their regular captains on Saturday. Crusaders’ captain Sam Whitelock is under-suspension and his teammate, All Blacks captain Kieran Read is injured while the Hurricanes will be without Mark Coles, who is recovering from a concussion.
Prediction:
As is the case with every New Zealand derby, this contest should go down to the wire. The Crusaders at home will be keen to prove a point against the reigning champions. Whitelock and Read are big absences however for the Crusaders. With that said, the Crusaders, like all New Zealand teams, possess plenty of depth and should compete well enough to secure a very tight win at home.
Crusaders by 5
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm AEST.
DanFan
Guest
There may have also been suggestion from the AB selectors that they would like to keep an eye on him during SR. U20 is a development grade and I think J Barrett may be beyond that.
Playerfromwayback
Guest
I can't state enough how much I enjoyed this game! It really was the "Clash of the Titans" type match. Credit where credits due, the Saders put on a defensive masterclass and their scrum was immense! I was waiting for that magic moment from BB......... but it never came. Each sides game plan was noticeably different too, taking the penalty kicks raised my eyebrows! Such a pleasure to watch this game, what a spectacle it was!???
Old Bugger
Guest
Yeah ur right Ash...I can't understand the Canes approach either. In my eyes, I'm still trying to get over why, SR rugby creates more concern then an NZ RWC title and therefore ask why, the Canes would stop Jordie Barrett, from representing NZ, in the U-20s tournament?? I'm mean surely - this Jnrs comp is a bi-enninial tournament that is governed by the players age, whereas the SR, is not governed by the players age. Very poor of Chris Boyd if u ask me because the lad, is entitled to have a go, at the Jnrs RWC and who is CB, to deny that opportunity??
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
They were beaten, not outclassed. 20-12 remember?
Ash
Guest
They were outclassed on the night. A little bit of humility would have gone a long way. Isn't humility world famous in New Zealand?
Lara
Guest
All going to schedule, couldn't have planned it any better.
Old Bugger
Guest
Old Bugger
Guest
Actually, the way things are progressing, even if they lose a match, the Saders v Lions in J'Burg, could be one helluva game to watch. But then again, so would my Chiefs v Lions, be an awesome match in J'burg. The point is, I don't think it matters where its played- does it??
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Cheers RT. Hard luck D.C. Et al but was impressed how the Sadists adjusted very well from the previous open blowouts and played a strangling game perfectly suited to their opposition. A clinical Darwinian approach. Adapt and evolve.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Cloudy in Madrid Chook. But hitting 30 this week for Madrid's celebratory week. Great tussle and glad to come out with a hArd fought win. Off to Suva now for another huge game.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Agree with you there OB, I honestly don't think the Lions can maintain that sort of tight pressure for the whole 80 minutes. And as the WB found out last year, you may play really good rugby for 60-65 minutes and put the AB under pressure but that 15-20 minutes of loose play will kill you. This game was a great match. Loved it. Both sides have massive talent. :)
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely NB....not so much quality but go forward.....
Jokerman
Roar Guru
McCaw, Carter all good I think you can really start to wonder about Blackadder. 'Saders won five titles maybe more with Carter McCaw and not Blackadder. Zero with Blackadder. They look like 'Saders of old
Old Bugger
Guest
Faith The funny thing is - I really thought that BB did nothing tonight and I don't know whether that was, a game plan or not.
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
Great game to watch as a 'neutral' (as neutral as a Chiefs supporter can get!) Crotty had a great game and cemented that starting 12 spot in the ABs for the Lions tour. That's exactly what the ABs need in the white hot cauldron atmosphere. Crusaders can defend all day and their forwards particularly convinced far more on attack than the Canes did. I feel that the saders might be the only NZ team that can defend the lineout maul. Beauden didn't get an opportunity to show the magic, he was swamped all day but also was guilty on not stamping his authority on the game. A lot of nerves early on and I don't think I've seen so many turnovers given by the saders in such a short amount of time. But then again when was the last time you saw so few line breaks from the canes? Let alone no tries?! I suspected the crusaders would shut them down and it's pleasing to see NZ teams engaged in a tough battle with lots of defence.
Old Bugger
Guest
Thugby Some very good points you mention but you have to understand, what's happening within the NZ SR conference, does not necessarily reflect, what will happen within the AB environment. With that in mind, I would suggest that this may be, the only response(s) that are available to Gats and his team. The concern will be, that such an effort, needs to be maintained for 80 mins and with the same fervour, as it was at the 1st minute.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
TJ was possessed!! "They did very well at set piece" Sounded as if he was talking about his team...but perhaps he was talking about the 'Saders. A bit boyish but maybe didn't understand how to see his forwards get beaten and then talk about it. Set piece killed them oh....and the mist...and away from home. Dry track, at home with Coles and a different ref....and then we'll see what happens!! No excuses though 'Sader were too good tonight and executed their strengths far better. They've also got Read, Whitelock to return.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
With no quality ball BB looks like an average flyhalf. Crusaders fowards were awesome .
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Thx Chook ? Them Canes didnt make it easy.
Faith
Guest
The Canes were out-BB'd and out rush defensed. These Saders seem to be finally free of McCaw-Carter-Blackladder ... also this game was a showcase of Nz innovation - forwards playing like backs ... J Barrett in the lineout ...