Chiefs Look to Take the Scalp of the Champs

Chiefs (2008 Position: 7th)

V Crusaders (2008 Position: Champions)

@ AMI Stadium – 5:30pm local

Head to Head: Played 13, Crusaders 9, Chiefs 4

Last match: Chiefs 18 Crusaders 5 @ Hamilton

Notoriously slow starters to a rugby season, the Chiefs come into the Super-14 with three preseason victories to their name over the Blues, Highlanders, and tournament favourites, the Hurricanes 38-24. 

They also kick off the first New Zealand derby with an excellent recent record against the competitions premier franchise having won their last two matches—including breaking the Crusaders three year home unbeaten record two years ago.

Sione Lauaki and Liam Messam have been in impressive form so far this year, with the former having a huge point to prove after being dumped from the national team last year and Brendan Leonard has successfully made a return this month from an eight month injury.

While some question marks exist over their tight five, the quality in their back row and backline is pure class.  They will field no less than five All Blacks in their backline, captained by custodian Mils Muliaina, who had a vintage 2008 in the black jersey.  Much attention will be on Stephen Donald, with Dan Carter out of the frame at least till the Tri Nations, and he will look to impose himself on selectors this year.

There is no doubt over their classy attack, but they will need to tighten up the famed Waikato rush defence, which leaked points at stages in 2008.

Canterbury will be sans Carter and will be without five time Super rugby winning coach Robbie Deans.  However, Todd Blackadder—a man well acquiesced with red and black culture—will continue a tradition started many years ago of having men who lived and breathed the history of the proud team in their veins.

While the Crusaders will miss their star All Black playmaker, the production line of the region continues to be strong and both Stephen Brett and Colin Slade will step up to the standoff role with aplomb.

All Blacks Leon Macdonald and Andrew Ellis make returns from injury, and will ensure that the typical counterattacking class of the seven time champions will flow on in 2009.

In the pack, Richie McCaw comes of one of his finest years after re cementing the All Blacks place on top of the world podium, and will be well supported by fellow internationals Kieran Read and Brad Thorn. 

Combined with a solid front row and long time domestic servants Ross Filipo and Thomas Waldrom (the latter acquisitioned from Wellington), the natural pedigree of arguably the best domestic team in the world has many pundits talking the franchise up for a unprecedented eighth title.

However, despite the intimidating resume that the Crusaders will bring to the beginning of the season, the Chiefs will come humming for the season opener.

Their solid recent record against the defending champions and a hungry desire to arrest a history of poor starts to the season, will see the Chiefs take a big scalp to kick off their season.  It will be a victory to the Mooloo men by eight.

Chiefs:15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Dwayne Sweeney, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben May, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements:16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 James McGougan, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Colin Bourke, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Callum Bruce.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements:16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i/Steve Alfeld, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Adam Whitelock.