The Crusaders and Hurricanes will capture the full attention of All Blacks coach Steven Hansen after a plethora of All Blacks candidates were unveiled for their Super Rugby semi-final.
Both Kiwi powerhouse teams are bordering on full strength for Saturday’s match in Christchurch which doubles effectively as a Test trial, with Hansen poised to name his first squad of World Cup year next week.
While there are numerous All Black certainties scattered throughout both sides, several of the rivalries capture attention, not least so at five-eighth.
For the second straight season, there is a train of thought that brilliant Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo’unga is mounting a serious case to win the Test No.10 jersey from Hurricanes star Beauden Barrett, whose skills would be well suited to fullback.
While Hansen is unlikely to consider such a change three months out from a World Cup, the clash of the pivots will take centre stage.
Mo’unga has outplayed Barrett in their recent meetings, usually aided by a more dominant pack, as was the case in last year’s 30-12 semi-final win, a stepping stone to the Crusaders’ ninth title.
The red and black forwards have held sway this season too, winning by more than 15 points in both regular season meetings.
Hurricanes inside centre Ngani Laumape is another with plenty at stake, marking the seasoned Ryan Crotty, as the pair bid for a place in the All Blacks midfield logjam.
Test blindside flank contender Vaea Fifita has surprisingly only made the Hurricanes bench in his return from suspension, with coach John Plumtree preferring Reed Prinsep and Gareth Evans to again partner dynamic loose forward Ardie Savea.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson labelled Savea as the most dangerous player in the opposition ranks.
“Clearly the best player in Super Rugby, he’s a power athlete with his ability to dig deep and you see how many games he’s won for them this year,” Robertson said.
The only Hurricanes starting change from last week’s 35-28 quarter-final win over the Bulls is injured winger Wes Goosen making way for Salesi Rayasi.
Halfback TJ Perenara will make his 127th appearance, moving him ahead of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu as the most capped Hurricanes player.
The Crusaders have ominously made no changes to the 23 who powered to a 38-14 win over the Highlanders, with 12 All Blacks laced through the starting side.
CRUSADERS: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.
HURRICANES: Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles (capt), Toby Smith. Res: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Ben May, Kane Leaupepe, Vaea Fifita, Richard Judd, James Marshall, Jonah Lowe.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
maybe danny, but so far i haven't been impressed. he scored a few good tries but none that most decent wingers wouldn't score. his effort on defence has been poor which is i guess forgivable as he's learning but what really stood out to me was a lack of urgency. on kick chase i've seen a few times where as soon as he realises that he won't be first there he slows to a jog. this is something which is easy to change, just concerning its not there as an automatically. at this stage at least i'd much prefer the goose....
Danny
Roar Pro
Don’t see UJ as any more than bit part AB at very best. Rayasi, though, looks straight from the Julian Savea mould. Doubt an AB next year but don’t doubt a 50+ test career in his future all else equal.
Danny
Roar Pro
In a parallel universe where SR was a comp that actually rewarded the best teams across all confs, as opposed to handing out finals fixtures like merit cards for competing, Jags would be in Welly now and ponies enjoying some of that legendary CHCH hospitality! You’d be more likely than not to get your final next week.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
If the Cru's pack starts to squeeze the yellow teams' then lets see how BBBB copes. He needs to stop doing what he's done the last 3-4 outings agin the Cru namely flop pass to his outsides by bringing his hips around so they're parallel to the sideline and scooping the ball to the receiver. It looks like the Cru are deliberately playing for him to do this. To be clear I don't care for the purposes of this game (I'm with the Cru) but really this needs to be fixed asap - it's a significant liability come WC finals time.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Agree with this. The Crusaders are a great team, no doubt. But there is way too much talk about them as some kind of unbeatable force. Yes, they have 13 AB's on the park, but how many of those are starting AB's and how many are AB's with a couple of caps? If one wants to be harsh, one could argue that only Moody, Franks, Whitelock, and Read (Goodhue and Crotty are thereabouts, but since there is no settled midfield combo in the AB's it is hard to tell) are given starters.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
And what do you want for your last meal, mate? ;)
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Can we please give up on this Rolls Royce nonsense? The two games played this year the Crusaders pack was far from Rolls Royce and got shunted around, beaten at the breakdown and despite this Mo’unga still shined. Questions must be raised that in the second of these matches the Hurricanes pack had a significant advantage yet the score was a blow out – with Barrett playing.
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
this is my SR final Jags n Brumbies play for 3rd and 4th place.Just my personal opinion don’t kill me please
Ben
Guest
Yes 13 ABs in the run on 15. If they dont win that then the World Cup is in serious jeopardy too. Canes bench, apart from Fifita, looks weak as well. Crusaders 20plus.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Can’t disagree with any of that. Spot on about targeting Jenson and Rayasi. Rayasi looks dangerous with the ball, but defensively and game smarts, he is still learning. Throwing his hand out last week to give up penalty try and YC is perfect example. No shame in it, everyone starts as a beginner. He will get better, but yea, Crusaders should be targeting him, especially with the strike power they have. If he gets out of position, look for kicks to drop behind him with some of the speedsters crusaders have chasing hard. Predict Bridge with the first try from a chip kick.
Bluesfan
Crusaders should win this easliy - target Umaga-Jensen and Rayasi's defence - not there fault, just very green players, who have tremendious upside, just that at this stage of their career - coming up against Crusaders is pretty tough. Hurricanes forwards as well will find it tough - 2 quality AB's, then junior players learning the ropes - Aumua, Walker-Leawere and hardened Super professionals. vs Crusaders pack with 7 AB's and AB's on bench. Watch Crusaders dominate scrum and grind the Hurricanes pack down.