Crusaders v Chiefs Super Rugby preview

The Crusaders have won the last four matches against the Chiefs and in the last 14 matches between the teams the Crusaders have won 12.

On average when the Crusaders and Chiefs play each other the score is Crusaders 30 Chiefs 19.

Officially this match is a Crusaders home fixture but some of the Chiefs playing are viewing this match as home game as they played their last year in the ITM Cup.

When the Crusaders play the Chiefs at home the gap widens a little to Crusaders 33 and Chiefs 17.

Worryingly for Chiefs fans the Crusaders have a very strong record against the Chiefs at home and in 8 home matches for the Crusaders the Chiefs have only won once which translates to a success rate of 87.5 % for the Crusaders.

After the Crusaders lost to the Highlanders last week coach Todd Blackadder has made serveral changes including moving the back three around with Zac Guildford on the wing and Israel Dagg also on the wing with Sean Maitland at fullback.

The Franks brother start in the front row with Corey Flynn. Some of these changes are a bit surprising as the Crusaders were essentially outplayed at the breakdown.

In contrast the Chiefs have stuck with the same starting team that beat the Blues last week with Mike Fitzgerald and Jackson Willison replacing Fritz Lee and Declan O’Donnell on the bench.

The Crusaders will be livid with themselves after last week’s lack lustre performance and will want to make sure they make the most of the slight home advantage edge they have in this.

The Bookies have given the Chiefs a 6 point start for this match – with an offer of Bet 10 Get 20. We think the Chiefs will face a bit of a backlash in this match and we are going a little bold here – the Crusaders should win by 8.

This match will be shown on TV NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on the Sky Sports website delayed to 9:00.

Average score: Crusaders 30 Chiefs 19

Last five results
Sat, 21 May 2011 Crusaders v Chiefs 25-19 Napier
Fri, 15 Apr 2011 Crusaders v Chiefs 34-16 Tauranga
12 Mar 2010 Crusaders v Chiefs 26-19 Hamilton
14 Feb 2009 Crusaders v Chiefs 19-13 Christchurch
18 Apr 2008 Crusaders v Chiefs 5-18 Hamilton

Crusaders overall results against Chiefs
Played 17, Wins 13 , Losses 4, Draws 0

Match No.15 : Crusaders v Chiefs
Date .Friday 9 March
Venue : Napier
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Nick Briant
TMO : Richard Kelly

Teams

Crusaders

1. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (Capt.), 9. Andy Ellis (Vice Capt.), 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Adam Whitelock, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Israel Dagg, 15. Sean Maitland

Reserves:, 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Sam Whitelock, 19. Luke Whitelock, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tom Taylor, 22. Tom Marshall

Chiefs

1.Arizona Taumalolo , 2.Mahonri Schwalger , 3.Ben Tameifuna , 4.Craig Clarke , 5.Brodie Retallick , 6.Liam Messam , 7.Tanerau Latimer , 8.Kane Thompson , 9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10.Aaron Cruden , 11.Tim Nanai-Williams , 12.Sonny Bill Williams , 13.Richard Kahui , 14.Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 15.Robbie Robinson

16.Hika Elliot , 17.Shane Cleaver , 18.Mike Fitzgerald , 19.Sam Cane , 20.Augustine Pulu , 21.Andrew Horrell , 22.Jackson Willison