Preview: Crusaders v Highlanders

The Crusaders will be determined to continue with their perfect run when they host a confident Highlanders side in Christchurch on Saturday.

The home side are unbeaten from 13 matches played so far this year while the Highlanders, after a stuttering start, are on a high after winning ther last nine matches.

That sets the scene for what promises to be a thrilling encounter as both sides have been amongst the most entertaining teams in this year’s competition.

If the previous clash between these sides is to be used as a yardstick – when the Crusaders claimed a last gasp win in Dunedin – then this should be another fine spectacle.

And with brilliant attacking players like Seta Tamanivalu, David Havili and Richie Mo’unga in the Crusaders’ ranks and the Highlanders able to call upon the brilliance of Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith, don’t be surprised if this match delivers superb entertainment and drama throughout.

Although both teams are in superb form, the Crusaders will head into this clash as favourites as they have won seven of the last nine meetings between these sides, however the Highlanders’ two victories in that run both came in the last three meetings between the sides.

Although they will start as underdogs, the Highlanders were on the winning side the last time they faced the Crusaders away from home, however they’ve never won consecutive away games against the men from Christchurch.

Each of the last four matches between the two have been decided by margins of eight points or fewer, with both teams sharing two wins apiece in that run.

It’s little surprise that these sides are amongst the frontrunners in the tournament’s attacking statistics. The Crusaders have scored the second most tries (71) so far while the Highlanders are fourth in that department with 53 five-pointers.

The Crusaders are also second for clean breaks made with 181 while the Highlanders are third with 174. The seven time champions have gained the most metres (7168) whereas the Highlanders are fourth highest (6287).

Where the Crusaders do have an edge though is for defenders beaten. They are in pole position in this category with 345 opponents beaten while the Highlanders are in eight place (263).

The last time the teams met: These sides met in Round 2 and a stunning fightback helped the Crusaders to secure a 30-27 win down in Dunedin. This after the Highlanders led 27-6 early in the second half. Seta Tamanivalu snatched the win with a try in the game’s closing stages. The Crusaders were also awarded a penalty try and their other five-pointers were scored by David Havili and Whetu Douglas. Waisake Naholo scored two tries for the Highlanders and Gareth Evans also dotted down.

Players to watch: Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo’unga returned to the seven-time champions’ starting line-up last month, after six weeks on the sidelnes through injury, and has hardly put a foot wrong. The 23-year-old has caught the eye with his game-management and playmaking skills and his goalkicking has also been impressive. A fine all-round performance from the 23-year-old should help the Crusaders notch their 14th successive win.

If the Highlanders want to be successful, much will depend on the performance of their co-captain Ben Smith. The All Black full-back is one of the most potent attackers in the game and he will be expected to hive his side much-needed go-forward from the back. As the Highlanders’ on-field leader, Smith’s decision making will also be crucial if they want to halt the Crusaders’ winning run.

Team news: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made ten changes to his starting line-up for this fixture. The entire front row has changed, with Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks starting, and Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa and Ben Funnell sitting on the bench. The other changes in the forwards are at lock, with Luke Romano staring and Quinten Strange shifting to the reserves, and at loose forward with Matt Todd returning at number seven in place of Pete Samu. In the backs, Mitchell Drummond starts at scrum-half this week. George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu take the wings, and Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue start at inside centre and outside centre respectively. Bryn Hall will cover scrum-half while Mitchell Hunt and Israel Dagg will cover the rest of the back-line.

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has made four changes to his run-on side. Brown has reinstated Daniel Lienert-Brown to the front row and promoted back-row Gareth Evans to the starting line-up after a number of good performances in recent weeks. James Lentjes comes back on the openside following an elbow injury that sidelined him for three months, taking the place of Dillon Hunt who gets a well-earned break. The in-form Rob Thompson comes in at inside centre this week pushing utility back Richard Buckman to the left wing; otherwise the starting backline remains the same as the one that performed well against the Waratahs. Plenty of strike power on the bench with All Blacks Elliot Dixon and Lima Sopoaga while Matt Faddes returns as outside back cover. Captain Ben Smith will play his 128th Super game for the Highlanders and become their most capped player ahead of Anton Oliver.

Form: The Crusaders are the only unbeaten team left in the competition and have won all 13 their previous matches. In their most recent matches, in the month of May, the beat the Bulls, Hurricanes, Chiefs and Rebels.

The Highlanders are currently on a nine-match winning streak and claimed narrow wins over the Cheetahs and Bulls on their South African tour at the start of May before beating the Western Force in Perth and the Waratahs at home last weekend.

Prediction: Like their previous encounter, this one should be a humdinger and don’t be surprised if it also goes down to the wire. We’re backing the Crusaders to take it by three points again!

Previous results:

2017: Crusaders won 30-27 in Dunedin
2016: Highlanders won 34-26 in Dunedin
2015: Highlanders won 20-25 in Christchurch
2015: Crusaders won 26-20 in Dunedin
2014: Crusaders won 34-8 in Christchurch
2014: Crusaders won 32-30 in Dunedin
2013: Crusaders won 40-12 in Dunedin
2013: Crusaders won 24-8 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 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Israel Dagg

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon (cc), 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Matt Faddes

Date: Saturday, June 3
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off: 14:45 local (03:35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: James Doleman Michael Winter
TMO: Glenn Newman