thinking of gaps and multiple linebreaks, bearing in mind the fragility of the Lions inner defence this year. The woeful form of the Lions must be depressing for a whole-hearted trier like Cobus Grobbelaar, but one man can hardly cover the failings of so many. Todd Clever also gets a pass mark so far but the loosies would prefer it if the inside backs held onto the ball occasionally or did a bit of tackling now and again so they could actually go forward to breakdowns rather than tracking back trying to catch rampaging opposition three-quarters.
WE THINK: It's highly doubtful anyone will be swayed by this bit – everyone involved in tipping competitions will do this game in two seconds flat – but the number of people who give the Lions any shot could be counted on a careless sawmiller's left hand. If the Crusaders don't win by a seriously large margin and take a bonus point, there should be calls for swabbing both teams.
TEAMS:
Crusaders: 1. Ben Franks, 2.Ti'i Paulo, 3.Owen Franks, 4. Sam Whitelock, 5.Isaac Ross, 6.Richie McCaw (captain), 7.Jonathon Poff, 8.Thomas Waldrom, 9.Kahn Fotuali'i, 10.Colin Slade, 11.Zac Guildford, 12.Ryan Crotty, 13. Adam Whitelock, 14.Sean Maitland, 15.Jared Payne.
Reserves: 16.Corey Flynn, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18.Chris Jack, 19. George Whitelock, 20.Willie Heinz, 21. Daniel Carter, 22. Robbie Fruean.
Lions: 1. Janse van Rensburg, 2.Hannes Franklin, 3.Ross Geldenhuys, 4.George Earle, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 6.Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 7.Derick Minnie, 8.Todd Clever, 9.Jano Vermaak JP Joubert, 10. Burton Francis, 11.Wandile Mjekevu, 12.Doppies la Grange, 13.Walter Venter, 14.Wigan Pekeur, 15.Earl Rose.
Reserves: 16.Charles Emslie, 17.Heinke van der Merwe, 18. Willem Stoltz, 19.Robert Kruger or Jacques Lombaard, 20.Jacques Coetzee, 21. Carlos Spencer, 22.Michael Killian.
REFEREE: Keith Brown