Super 15 Preview: Round One, Saturday

It's big match Saturday of Super Rugby with a mouth-watering derby affair between the Blues and Crusaders kicking off the day's action.

It's big match Saturday of Super Rugby with a mouth-watering derby affair between the Blues and Crusaders kicking off the day's action.

The action at Eden Park in Auckland is followed by the Brumbies and Chiefs battling it out in Canberra before South African sides get a taste of the action when the Sharks and Cheetahs clash in Durban.

The Bulls travel to nearby Johannesburg to play the Lions to end the day with one match scheduled for Sunday, where the Reds and Western Force close out the weekend's action in the second Australian and sixth overall derby of Round One.

The opening weekend's action sees seven matches taking place and with 15 teams in the tournament, one must sit out – the Stormers have a bye.

Saturday, February 19

Blues v Crusaders

The Blues face arch rivals the Crusaders in their opening match of this year's Super Rugby competition at Eden Park on Saturday.
The Blues have in the recent past found it though to get the better of the Crusaders, but still have enough talent to beat the men from Christchurch who have won four out of the last five Super Rugby encounters between the sides.
Around 35,000 spectators are anticipated to make it along to the game and there's a genuine excitement among rugby folk in Auckland to see how the Blues go. Blues coach Pat Lam says everyone involved with the team realises just how huge this game is.
''It's a big game for everyone, for our franchise, for our team and to get off to a good start,'' he said.
''But at the end of the day it's not the individuals, because you can look at the individuals in the team and they don't necessarily come from those regions, but you've got red and blue and the history that goes with it.
''There's a lot of spice with it being the first game, the new stadium is looking great and it looks like a big crowd is going to turn out.
''It will be a good day, we've just got to perform.''
With this being a World Cup year and the bulk of the All Black team in the Crusaders squad, one would expect of the visitors to create some fond memories at the city where the final will be played later this year.
The last time these two sides squared off against each other, it was the Crusaders who came out on top, winning a thrilling encounter 33-20 in Christchurch. It should be another thrilling contest between two potential title contenders, despite the absence of the Crusaders' two heavyweights.
The seven-time Super Rugby champs will be without influential skipper Richie McCaw who is recovering from surgery and injured centre Sonny Bill Williams, but it should still be interesting to see how new recruit Israel Dagg fares in his first game since leaving the Highlanders.

Prediction: Tough call first up. There are 24 players who have worn the All Black jersey that will run onto the Eden Park pitch on Saturday, which means plenty of experience and plenty of game-breakers. Hmmm… Blues by five!

The teams:
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Broic, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney/Ash Dixon, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal.

Date: Saturday, February 19
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Brumbies v Chiefs

The Brumbies host the Chiefs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday, in the only non-derby match of the opening round.
Off-field news fell under the spotlight this week when Brumbies playmaker Matt Giteau announced he was leaving Australian shores and joining Toulon in France after the Rugby World Cup.
With Stirling Mortlock now with the Rebels, George Smith plying his trade at the same French club Giteau is set to join and Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom out of action until Round Six, the Brumbies faithful must be feeling a tad anxious for the season ahead.
The team dubbed the 'Real Madrid of Australian Rugby' failed to flatter with last season's sixth placing, but will be under pressure yet again to relive their past glories. Champions in 2001 and again in 2004, the Brumbies have not made the semi-finals since despite consistently fielding an impressive array of internationals.

Andy Friend is the current Brumbies coach under pressure to deliver in his third year in charge. His team only accrued three try-scoring bonus points last season, a deficiency which proved crucial as they finished the campaign four points outside the top four in sixth.

The Chiefs – finalists in 2009 – had a rather forgettable season last year, but will be out to make ammends with a star-studded squad that just oozes talent. And with former All Blacks legend Tana Umaga back on the big stage, you can just sense there is something special brewing in the Chiefs' camp.

With two away matches on the trot though, Ian Foster's troops will have to hit the ground running if they wish to return home with a win or two under their belts in Round Three.

Prediction: It's always been high-scoring affairs when these two sides clash and we could be in for a try-fest in Canberra. But kicks also win matches and the Brumbies will need their skipper Giteau to fire on all cylinders… especially with the flawless Stephen Donald at the tee. Brumbies to win by six points.

The teams:

Brumbies: 15 Pat McCabe, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Mitch Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Steve Moore 1, Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Stephen Hoiles, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Andrew Smith.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Toby Smith, 17 Daniel Perrin, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Jackson