The tournament’s in-form team the Crusaders continue the defence of their Super Rugby title against the Sharks in Christchurch on Saturday.
Scott Robertson’s men are on a purple patch after winning their last 12 matches and are overwhelming favourites to progress into the semi-final stage at the expense of the Sharks, who are 10/1 with some bookmakers to win. History and the formbook makes a shock highly unlikely.
Looking at the Opta stats doesn’t make for pretty reading for the Sharks coming into the match which kicks off Saturday’s action. No South African franchise has ever won a finals game in New Zealand, with this being the 13th such fixture in Super Rugby history. Furthermore the Crusaders have won 17 of their last 21 games against the Durban outfit including each of their three previous meetings in the post-season.
Adding further weight to the Crusaders’ case for victory and a spot in the last four is the fact they have won their last 16 games on the bounce when hosting teams from outside New Zealand; the last time they lost such a fixture was in the opening round of the 2015 campaign.
What is positive for the Sharks however is the fact they’ve fared well against New Zealand sides so far in 2018. They’ve beaten the Blues, Highlanders and Chiefs this campaign, losing their only other clash with a Kiwi outfit 38-37 at the Hurricanes, which will give them hope.
But it’s extremely difficult to envisage the Crusaders not winning on Saturday as they are playing such formidable rugby at present, with the likes of Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue and George Bridge all in great form.
Victory would see them face the winner of Friday’s opening qualifier between the Hurricanes and Chiefs, which already whets the appetite.
The last time the teams met: It’s been well over two years since the Crusaders and Sharks last faced off, with that match taking place in Durban. The Crusaders won 19-14 as David Havili, Nemani Nadolo and Kieran Read crossed, with Lwazi Mvovo scoring a brace for the Sharks.
Players to watch:
For Crusaders: It’s been a superb campaign from young centre Jack Goodhue as his stock continues to rise in New Zealand. More game time in an All Black jersey is surely not too far in coming as his powerful and intelligent lines, skill-set and strong defence make him a talent. Also keep an eye on Scott Barrett, who is back in the side this week. His form for New Zealand and the Crusaders in 2018 has been excellent.
For Sharks: Winning the battle up front has to be the first port of call for the Sharks so the likes of tighthead prop Thomas du Toit need to gain the upper hand at the set-piece and in the tight exchanges. There will also be a lot of pressure on Daniel du Preez‘s shoulders as his carrying and dynamism must come to the fore against the likes of Jordan Taufua and Kieran Read. Du Preez will of course empty the tank.
Team news: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made five changes to the line-up that defeated the Blues for Saturday’s quarter-final.
All Black duo Codie Taylor and Owen Franks return at hooker and tighthead, meaning Andrew Makalio and Michael Alaalatoa move to the bench.
Scott Barrett also returns from a rest week to resume his role at lock, and Luke Romano will once again provide cover on the bench. The loose forward trio of Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd and Kieran Read remains unchanged, with Read having recovered from the wrist/thumb injury.
Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond will again switch for this game, so that Hall takes the starting spot at scrum-half and Drummond moves to the replacements bench. The only other change to the starting XV sees David Havili rejoin the squad at full-back in place of Israel Dagg.
Meanwhile, Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has been able to name a completely unchanged 23 for this Super Rugby quarter-final showdown.
A good effort against the Jaguares at Kings Park last week saw the Sharks through to the knockout stage courtesy of an eighth place finish.
Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will play his 150th Super Rugby game in a Sharks shirt. He holds the record for being the most capped Super Rugby player for a single province and is just behind hooker Adriaan Strauss, who is the most capped South African Super Rugby player with 156.
Form: What more can be said about the Crusaders? 12 wins on the spin puts them in the best possible form coming into this game. Their only two defeats this season came in March, against the Hurricanes and Highlanders but since then they have been unstoppable in the competition.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have been inconsistent this season and haven’t strung back-to-back wins together since April 21 and May 5. Since then their record is lost, won, lost, won, lost, won, but that latter victory proved enough to see them make this knockout trip to Christchurch.
Prediction: Home win here as the reigning champions march on. Crusaders by 15.
Previous results:
2016: Crusaders won 19-14 in Durban
2015: Crusaders won 52-10 in Durban
2014: Crusaders won 38-6 in Christchurch
2014: Sharks won 30-25 in Christchurch
2013: Sharks won 21-17 in Durban
2011: Crusaders won 36-8 in Nelson
2011: Crusaders won 44-28 in London
2010: Crusaders won 35-6 in Christchurch
The teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tim Perry
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)