Photo: RNZ
Crusaders v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 10 May
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Is this a preview of this year's Super Rugby Pacific final tonight in Christchurch? The Crusaders and Chiefs are neck and neck thanks to the Hurricanes upsetting Clayton McMillan's men last weekend, so whoever takes this one has a real chance of holding onto top spot through to a potential final.
Things have changed quite a bit since the last time they met, with the Crusaders shifting up a gear and very much looking like the team we're all used to seeing out of Christchurch. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have had a few ups and downs so this should be an intriguing encounter.
Team lists
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neil, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
Crusaders selections
Braydon Ennor of the Crusaders scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Rugby Semi Final match against the Blues at Orangetheory Stadium. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
Welcome back Braydon Ennor, the centre returns from injury straight into the starting lineup. Rivez Reihana will start at first five, leaving James O'Connor on the bench, while the forward pack is at about its strongest apart from Ethan Blackadder being out.
[h[ Chiefs selections
Simon Parker of the Chiefs scores a try against Moana Pasifika at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Photo: Photosport
Damian McKenzie will be a welcome sight for Chiefs fans after two weeks out with injury. Wallace Sititi moves off the bench into the starting team, in what looks to be a very strong Chiefs outfit. Simon Parker has got the nod ahead of Samipeni Finau at blindside.
Key stats
Daniel Rona scores a try for the Chiefs against Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. Photo: Photosport
The Crusaders have won eight of their last 10 Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Chiefs in Christchurch, including a 37-26 victory when they last met at the venue.
The Chiefs have led at half-time in three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games but have gone on to win only one of those.
Daniel Rona has scored three tries across his last two games, including two against the Hurricanes.
What they're saying
"The game's definitely won and lost at the breakdown. If we're not on, they've got some very good threats over the ball, so we'll look to nullify them with our carry and clean." - Crusaders first five Rivez Reihana.
"They're back to playing some great rugby, they're a very complete team with good forwards and backs that compliment that work. It's led by a lot of physicality up front." - Chiefs first five Damian McKenzie.
The last time they met
Chiefs 49 - 24 Crusaders
What was looking to be a very tight game got suddenly ripped out of the Crusaders' grasp after halftime, when the Chiefs piled on three tries in quick succession. Emoni Narawa showcased his ability on both sides of the ball in his charge to regain his All Black spot, while Leroy Carter was just as devastating on the other wing.
What's going to happen
Very tricky one to call, the Chiefs have been very good this season but were found out badly by the Hurricanes last weekend. If the Crusaders can keep it close they are a much better side than the one that got blown out in round two, even though they have had some disruption with Reihana coming in. If it goes down to the wire, O'Connor has already come off the bench and won a game for the home side once before this season.
