Canterbury Vs. Wellington

This is the greatest rivalry in Super 14 rugby - based on the number of games played.

No other team has played each other more times, this being the 18th match played between the two fierce competitors.

But, unfortunately for the Hurricanes, that is where the rivalry and comparisons end. The Crusaders are seven time champions and the most successful team in Super rugby history, and statistically are at least a 50 percent chance of winning a title based on their history.

The Hurricanes are the close but no cigar team of New Zealand rugby. Not only have they lost all six of seven New Zealand domestic final appearances this millennium, but have also made Super Rugby semi-finals four times since 2003, as well as recording a final appearance in 2006.

In all of those finals appearances, the Hurricanes have lost to the Crusaders.

In fact, the Hurricanes have won only three games against the mighty red and blacks. Under Colin Coopers tutelage, the Wellington based team has won but once, and sits on a seven-game losing streak.

Only once has the Crusaders tasted defeat to the Hurricanes in Christchurch, back in 2001. This was when a young 20-year old flanker called Richie McCaw made his Super rugby debut.

Canterbury welcomes back two front line All Blacks to their pack, in enforcer Brad Thorn and national test captain Richie McCaw. However, they will be without the services of rake Corey Flynn, who will be out for the season with a broken arm—his fourth such injury.

After defeating an impressive attacking Chiefs operation in their opening round, Canterbury looked to defy a huge possession and territorial disadvantage against the Brumbies to almost defeat arguably Australia's finest looking 2009 team.

They look to be as strong as ever despite losses of Robbie Deans and Dan Carter, and it appears that Todd Blackadder has added his own touches to the great rugby masterpiece that is the Crusaders.

They employed a variation of a rush defensive pattern against the ACT based side, and despite such a system typically taking a long time to implement, they executed it with relentless possession.

For the Hurricanes, they welcome back All Black and captain Rodney So'oialo, as well as test halfback Piri Weepu, albeit at stand off.

After employed them off the bench last week, starting All Black centres Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu will begin the match as part of the starting fifteen.

On paper, it is a most impressive team that travels to the most intimidating of Super rugby fortresses, but it has been anything but from the pre-season tournament favourites.

For the first two games this season, they have employed questionable tactics. In the opening halves they have kicked aimlessly, despite being a team full of strike running ball carriers.

Still, they have shown enough that if they can gel and produce a strong game plan, they will be a dangerous team for any side, let alone the structure of the Crusaders.

But, it won't all fall together in Christchurch, and I predict the Hurricanes to lose by eight.

Date: Friday, Feb. 27

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand) TMO: Kane McBride (New Zealand)

Crusaders: 15 Stephen Brett, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Adam Whitelock.

Hurricanes: 1. John Schwalger 2. Ged Robinson 3. Tim Fairbrother 4. Jeremy Thrush 5. Jason Eaton 6. Karl Lowe 7. Scott Waldrom 8. Rodney So'oialo 9. Alby Mathewson 10. Piri Weepu 11. Hosea Gear 12. Ma'a Nonu 13. Conrad Smith 14. Zac Guildford 15. Cory Jane Reserves 16. Jacob Ellison 17. Neemia Tialata 18. Bryn Evans 19. Faifili Levave 20. Daniel Kirkpatrick 21. TamatiEllison 22. David Smith