This is the one all have been waiting for, a clash between the only two unbeaten teams in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday 09:05 SA Time. The Crusaders have won their last 11 consecutive Super Rugby games against the Blues; their last defeat to the Auckland club came in Round 3, 2014.
The Crusaders and Blues have been the form teams of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa so far. Both teams have recorded impressive victories over the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes, although the Crusaders have a two-point advantage on the ladder due to securing bonus points in two of their victories.
Last week, the Crusaders were pushed hard until the 75th minute before picking up two late tries to blow the score out on their southern neighbours. The Blues enjoyed a bye week after overcoming the Highlanders 27-24 in a slugfest in round three.
The clash between the outside backs is one that will excite even the hardest to please fans. On the Crusaders side, the perfectly rounded gameplay of David Havili at fullback is joined by the x-factor qualities of George Bridge and Sevu Reece on the wings.
The Blues have a similar balance with Beauden Barrett flanked by two electric game-breakers in the form of Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea. Given Saturday is forecast to be fine and clear, expect to see plenty of running and counter-attack from these equally potent combinations.
The Blues have named arguably their strongest team. The pack of the Blues is unchanged with two changes in the backs. Scrumhalf Finlay Christie and inside centre Harry Plummer will start after coming off the bench in their previous three Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa games.
There are 16 players in the travelling party that have played in all four Super Rugby Aotearoa matches, with the bench further strengthened with the return of All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe and Blake Gibson, both recovered from injuries.
“The team is naturally excited about the contest and we are confident, based on our efforts every day in training,” said Blues head coach Leon MacDonald.
“The Crusaders are the benchmark in New Zealand rugby, so we are under no illusion about the task ahead of us. They have won the last 35 games of Super Rugby at home.
“Just because we have won the last three games, we know that means nothing in the scheme of things.
“We know that we will need to be very accurate with and without the ball while the battle in the forwards for clean front-foot possession would be key.
“If we can implement our game plan and execute, then there is no reason why we can’t provide a stern test. And if the weather plays ball, it should be a cracking game.”
MacDonald said Christie earned his start after excellent performances off the bench and he will renew his combination with fellow former Hurricanes backs Otere Black and Beauden Barrett. Plummer is an excellent all-round player who adds yet another kicking option and allows 41-game midfielder TJ Faiane to come off the bench after playing big minutes in this competition.
Blues: 1. Alex Hodgman, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (C), 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Otere Black, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Harry Plummer, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Beauden Barrett. Replacements: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Aaron Carroll, 20. Blake Gibson, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. TJ Faiane, 23. Matt Duffie.
Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson has named a largely unchanged side. Ethan Blackadder sustained a knee injury at training last week and was ruled out of the match in Dunedin. His replacements, Sione Havili and Tom Sanders will rotate this week, with Sanders to start and Havili named on the bench. The rest of the forward pack is unchanged.
In the backs, Bryn Hall and Mitch Drummond provide a dynamic 1-2 combination at halfback, with Hall to start and Drummond named in the reserves. There is also a reshuffle in the outside backs, with Leicester Faingaanuku replaced by George Bridge on the left-wing, and Sevu Reece earning a start on the right-wing. The in-form Will Jordan is set to provide impact off the bench.
Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor (C) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Samuel Whitelock 5. Mitchell Dunshea 6. Tom Sanders 7. Tom Christie 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (VC) 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. Jack Goodhue 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Sevu Reece 15. David Havili (VC) Replacements: 16. Andrew Makalio 17. George Bower 18. Oliver Jager 19. Quinten Strange 20. Sione Havili 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Fetuli Paea 23. Will Jordan.
Opta Facts
The Crusaders are undefeated in their last 35 Super Rugby games played as hosts (W34, D1); their last defeat at home came in Round 17, 2016 against the Hurricanes.
The Blues have won their last seven Super Rugby games on the bounce; the last and only previous time they won more in succession was a 12-game stretch during an undefeated 1997 campaign.
The Crusaders have scored (12) more tries and conceded (4) fewer tries than any other team during Super Rugby Aotearoa; in fact, they have conceded just two tries before the 60th minute of games so far this campaign.
The Blues’ comprise three of the five players to have made multiple lineouts steals so far in Super Rugby Aotearoa, with Hoskins Sotutu, Patrick Tuipulotu, and Tom Robinson each snatching two wins against the throw this season.