VENUE & TIME: Trafalgar Park, Nelson, Saturday June 25, 7:35pm (NZT), 5:35pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 17; Crusaders 13 wins, Natal / Sharks 3, drawn 1.
LAST TIME: April 25, 2010 (Twickenham, round 6) – Crusaders 44-28 Sharks.
WALKING WOUNDED:
The Crusaders got several leading players back for this match: Sonny Bill Williams is over his bruised hip and returns to midfield; Sean Maitland returns after missing half the season with an ankle injury and Kahn Fotuali'i is back on the bench after a month-long layoff. Richie McCaw is still missing with his foot problem.
FORM:
Crusaders:
Round 14: Beat Chiefs 25-19 (h)
Round 15: Lost to Reds 16-17 (a)
Round 16: Bye
Round 17: Beat Blues 23-16 (h)
Round 18: Beat Hurricanes 16-9 (h)
Sharks:
Round 14: Lost to Bulls 23-32 (h)
Round 15: Beat Waratahs 26-21 (h)
Round 16: Beat Cheetahs 23-18 (a)
Round 17: Drew with Lions 30-30 (a)
Round 18: Beat Bulls 26-23 (a)
Both teams had fairly tough runs to the finish, with neither having a match decided by more than seven points in the last month. The Crusaders had to grind it out in terrible conditions against the Hurricanes, since the heavy rain made handling difficult and limited the sort of attacking play that the teams could offer. As is often the case, the Crusaders forwards muscled up and controlled territory well, particulalry in the second half. One inspired moment from Zac Guildford created the match's only try and the entire team made sure that lead stood up.
The Sharks caused something of a surprise beating the Bulls in a winner-take-all match at Pretoria, and did it by jumping out to an early lead, adding to it when they could and defending when they had to. As a result the Bulls were always chasing a game that was one play ahead of them and a tough defensive effort from the visitors over the closing stages made sure that narrow margin held up. As a reward they get the long trip to Nelson, but satisfaction for the Sharks is being in the six after having to scrap hard over the closing month to get there.
WHO'S HOT:
He's normally solid but last week, in the rain and slush, Andy Ellis stepped up and made sure his forwards were rewarded by going forward most of the night. Strong in all areas, especially decision-making, Ellis played a significant role in his side's win. His pack also played well and eventually ground the Hurricanes into the turf, with everyone playing well. The sort of game that was necessary suited tough guys like Brad Thorn and Kieran Read to a nicety, as both were heavily involved in the hard stuff around the fringes both carting the ball up and making tackles. That sort of attitude will no doubt be called upon again this week.
The Sharks loaded up their pack with big men and it paid off. There is a lot of talk about the front row on a weekly basis but the steady, and strong, work of the two locks goes almost unnoticed as a result. Neither Gerhard Mostert nor Alistair Hargreaves gets the press that other forwards do, but these two are always there, always strong and always reliable. Expect to see both right in the thick of things all night. In the backs Frederic Michalak slipped into first-five without any trouble, even if it meant shifting Patrick Lambie back to fullback. The French international showed he was on his game with an early dropped goal (which was the eventual difference between the teams), some solid tactical play and a couple af pressure goals towards the end of the match.
WE THINK:
For the first time in a long while the Crusaders actually caught a break when the final placings were worked out. They won't be unhappy with drawing the Sharks, a team they have beaten regularly over the years, and especially as the visitors have a long trip just to get here. The sort of form the Crusaders pack is in suggests the visitors will have their work cut out, and we don't think they'll be good enough. Our call is the Crusaders by about 10 points.
TEAMS:
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (capt), 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Tom Marshall.
Replacements: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Kahn Fotuali'i, 21. Matt Berquist, 22. Ryan Crotty or Brent Ward.
Sharks: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Gerhard Mostert, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 6. Keegan Daniel, 7. Jean Deysel, 8. Willem Alberts, 9. Charl McLeod, 10. Frederic Michalak, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 12. Meyer Bosman, 13. Stefan Terblanche (capt), 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Patrick Lambie.
Replacements: 16. John Smit, 17. Eugene van Staden, 18. Ross Skeate, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Adrian Jacobs, 22. Louis Ludik.
REFEREE: Bryce Lawrence