Preview: Crusaders v Highlanders

The second Super Rugby Qualifier comes from Christchurch where the Crusaders and Highlanders battle it out in what should be an epic game.

An added time drop-goal from Mitch Hunt separated the sides in June and before that it was again three points the difference with the men from AMI Stadium coming out on top on both occasions. Prior to that though it was the Highlanders that had boasted back-to-back successes.

Yet again this should be a close encounter between these 2017 contenders as the Crusaders hunt that elusive eighth title while the Dunedin side look to repeat their 2015 triumph and get their hands on the coveted prize. Both are looking like genuine challengers for the trophy.

The Crusaders of course have lost just one match this Super Rugby campaign but the Highlanders have been progressing very nicely under the radar and have lost only one of their last 11 games. Their form has echoes of that title winning year when few expected them to go all the way but they turned it on when it mattered and once again it is their under-rated pack that continues to impress, skills wise especially.

Both will look to play with tempo which is great for the spectators but it's unfortunate the weather forecast shows rain is expected, both on Friday and Saturday, which hopefully won't detract from the spectacle. If it does limit expansive games and force the sides into a more forward oriented clash, one has to feel the Crusaders will be the happier side of the two, with their refreshed All Blacks back in action.

Kieran Read is also fit for this fixture which might also give the Crusaders an edge but in knockout rugby, anything can happen and we all know these Highlanders will back themselves and relish the underdog tag. It promises to be a bruising and breathless contest this weekend.  

The last time these teams met: What a finish it was in Christchurch in June as Mitch Hunt's late, dramatic drop-goal saw the Crusaders win 25-22. Mitchell Drummond, Seta Tamanivalu and Heiden Bedwell-Curtis crossed for the Crusaders while for the Highlanders their try-scorers were Richard Buckman and Waisake Naholo (2). It looked to be heading for a 22-22 draw but up stepped Hunt from long range with that drop. 

Players to watch: The return of Ryan Crotty is huge for the Crusaders. His combination with young Jack Goodhue was deadly in their recent meeting with the Highlanders and they'll hope to get the better of Rob Thompson and Malakai Fekitoa once again this week. Crotty's smart lines and the ever-improving Goodhue's intelligence with ball in hand could prove vital in Christchurch. Also watch out for Scott Barrett.

How can we not pick Waisake Naholo? He has scored a brace against the Crusaders in four successive clashes and will surely be a marked man on Saturday. It's interesting the Crusaders have decided to move Seta Tamanivalu over to the other wing so he faces Naholo, with the much lighter George Bridge benched. The Crusaders will hope that helps limit the damage Naholo can cause but any sniff and he will punish them.

Team news: Centre Ryan Crotty has recovered from a hamstring issue and will start for the Crusaders on Saturday. Crotty's inclusion is one of five changes and three positional tweaks Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson made to his starting side that played the Hurricanes last weekend. It is a fresh front-row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks that will face the Highlanders. Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa and Ben Funnell will cover from the bench. Sam Whitelock returns to the starting line-up to captain the team and Crotty will be the vice-captain. Crotty's return sees David Havili shift back to full-back and Israel Dagg move to the wing as George Bridge moves to the bench.

Ben Smith and Aaron Smith return to the backline that features Richard Buckman on the left wing and the hard running Rob Thompson in their midfield. Coach  Tony Brown has also gone with a six to two forward/back split on the bench, perhaps anticipating a tough forward battle.

Form: The Crusaders enter under the unfamiliar cloud of defeat after they suffered a first loss of the Super Rugby season at the hands of the Hurricanes last week. Many will say it was better then than now and they will hope to bounce back with purpose at home this Saturday.

The Highlanders' only loss since March 18 came against the Crusaders and that was because of that last ditch Mitch Hunt drop-goal. They've been in excellent form of late and enter on the back of a 40-17 hammering of the Reds in Dunedin. They also beat the British & Irish Lions.

Prediction: Expect another match that will go down to the wire and with both deadly in possession, tries should also come. Crusaders by 5.

Previous results:

2017: Crusaders won 25-22 in Christchurch
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

The teams:

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge

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

Date: Saturday, July 22
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Mike Fraser
TMO: Glenn Newman