Preview: Crusaders v Brumbies

VENUE & TIME: AMI Stadium, Christchurch, Friday May 14, 19.35 NZT.

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HEAD TO HEAD: Played 17 – Crusaders 9, Brumbies 8.

LAST TIME: February 21, 2009 (Canberra) – Brumbies 18-16 Crusaders.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: February 15, 2008 – Crusaders 34-3 Brumbies.

WALKING WOUNDED: Todd Blackadder made two changes to his tight five, replacing Wyatt Crockett with Ben Franks and Chris Jack with Sam Whitelock. Although the official line is that the promoted pair deserved their places on form, it's hard not to suspect the two senior men were demoted for less than imposing performances at Pretoria. Kahn Fotuali'i has been replaced on the bench after an internal team issue saw him stood down for one week. It's better news for the Brumbies who, with the exception of Stirling Mortlock, have all their top players available; Matt Toomua retains the first-five spot and Matt Giteau will start at second this week.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Crusaders:
Round 9: Beat Waratahs 20-13
Round 10: Beat Cheetahs 45-6
Round 11: Lost to Force 16-24
Round 12: Lost to Stormers 14-42
Round 13: Lost to Bulls 35-40

PAST FIVE Brumbies:
Round 9: Beat Cheetahs 61-15
Round 10: Lost to Hurricanes 13-23
Round 11: Lost to Waratahs 12-19
Round 12: Beat Reds 32-12
Round 13: Beat Highlanders 31-3

After some bumbling efforts recently, both sides turned in impressive displays last week and both were in something like their best form of the year. It's not a bad time to be coming right, especially with this must-win game looming. The Crusaders were left bemoaning their ill fortune last week and it's true they did get the thin end of some calls, but they still didn't put the game away despite dominating possession and playing some good rugby along the way. For the first time in a month they spread the ball wide and looked far more dangerous as a result, while Daniel Carter was more like the dominant individual he is known to be. The Brumbies have looked solid at all points in their last two outings and have shown far more flair in those two wins than for most of the season. When they get their patterned game going they can be very hard to stop, as two five-point wins and no tries conceded in that time shows. Matt Giteau has been more influential since moving out one spot and the whole backline has functioned with a lot more snap since that move was made.

WHO'S HOT: As noted above, Carter was in fine touch at Pretoria. His running game was back to its dangerous best and his kicking, both for territory and for goal, was strong and accurate. Because the ball was moved wider than in recent weeks, Zac Guildford was far more dangerous and he contributed significantly in a number of the team's best moves. Brad Thorn had his usual strong all-round game while Richie McCaw, despite not being on the same page as Marius Jonker, still had a significant impact around the field. The Brumbies looked sharp when Matt Toomua and Adam Ashley-Cooper were involved; Toomua has added a lot with his ability to take the line on while Ashley-Cooper has been in very good form all season. The two Stephens, Hoiles and Moore, had prominent games in a Brumbies pack that neutralised the Highlanders biggest threat quite easily and both were in the van when the Brumbies were launching their trademark close-quarter drives.

WE THINK: The Brumbies may have been thumped by almost identical scores in their previous two trips to Christchurch but this game promises to be a nail-biter. The weather forecast is not bad and we believe the Crusaders will be suited by what should be good conditions, especially if they play the same style as at Pretoria. From where we sit that should be good for a win and a 10-point margin sounds about right.

TEAMS:

Crusaders: 1. Owen Franks, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Daniel Bowden, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Colin Slade.

Reserves: 16. Dan Perrin, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Chris Jack, 19. Thomas Waldrom, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tim Bateman, 22. Jared Payne.

Brumbies: 1.Ben Alexander, 2.Stephen Moore, 3.Salesi Ma'afu, 4. Mitchell Chapman, 5.Mark Chisholm, 6.Rocky Elsom, 7.George Smith, 8.Stephen Hoiles (captain), 9.Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Matt Giteau, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14.Pat McCabe, 15.Julian Huxley.

Reserves: 16.Huia Edmonds, 17.Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Ben Hand, 19.Colby Faingaa, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21.Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22.Andrew Smith.

REFEREE: Bryce Lawrence