VENUE & TIME: Eden Park, Auckland, Friday February 24 @ 1935
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 19; Blues 9, Crusaders 10.
LAST TIME: June 11, 2011 (Timaru) - Crusaders 23-16 Blues.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Blues are without Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and Lachie Munro for this one while Luke Braid, who played so well in 2011, starts from the bench as his rehab from off-season surgery continues. Piri Weepu was also selected to begin his Blues career as a reserve, but he will no doubt be in action some time. Todd Blackadder had to get by without the still-recovering Daniel Carter, while he has also chosen to give Owen Franks the reserve spot this week. Tom Donnelly makes his first start in the Crusaders jersey and Quentin MacDonald gets the nod ahead of Corey Flynn at hooker.
FORM:
Interestingly enough both sides in this match went three from three in the pre-season, with each beating the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Rebels. Furthermore, the margins were about similar in each case. Read into that what you will.
WHO'S HOT: Tom McCartney gets a run at prop for the Blues - something that happens a fair bit one level down for Auckland - and his ability to counter the powerful Ben Franks will have a lot of influence on how the Blues set pieces fare. Anthony Boric will be looking for better luck in 2012, when injury kept him out of so many big matches, and his influence will also be closely watched. In the backline Michael Hobbs has been given the start at first-five, but that role comes with the pressure of proving to be the long-sought answer in the Blues 10 jersey. On the other side Tyler Bleyendaal has to fill Daniel Carter's shoes so the match between two relatively green first-fives will be important - as will their goal-kicking, since neither has proved to be a dead-eye so far in their careers. Tom Donnelly takes over from Brad Thorn in the power lock role and the Crusaders won't miss a beat as a result, while the big former Highlander will be doing his best to remind the test selectors that he's still around. Kieran Read will have his hands full with Jerome Kaino, but that's a good thing for New Zealand rugby as the two big men have been outstanding over the last couple of years. Of all the individual battles, this one may well be the best.
WE THINK: While the Blues won this match 12 months ago, this time the edge may rest with the Crusaders. There is just a more solid look to the southerners lineup, and more experienced men in key positions. There won't be much in it - there seldom is when these to go up against each other - but the Crusaders should take the narrow win. A bonus point will be just that.
TEAMS:
Blues:1. Tom McCartney, 2. Keven Mealamu (capt), 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Anthony Boric, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Chris Lowrey, 7. Daniel Braid, 8. Jerome Kaino, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Michael Hobbs, 11. Rudi Wulf, 12. Benson Stanley, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. David Raikuna, 15. Isaia Toeava.
Replacements: 16. Pauliasi Manu, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Brad Mika, 19. Luke Braid, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Hadleigh Parkes, 22. Sherwin Stowers.
Crusaders:1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 3. Ben Franks,