Three matches take place on New Zealand soil in week eleven, with the fixtures having a myriad of “what-ifs” about them in the Conference that at this stage has three legitimate championship contenders.
The Hurricanes host the Blues in the only kiwi derby match of the round in the capital.
On Saturday, number one plays number fourteen, as the Chiefs look to make it nine straight wins, while the following day we will be treated to a re-match of the 2011 Super Rugby Final.
Friday 4 May
Hurricanes v Blues
Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off (local, GMT, NZT, NSW/ACT, SAT)
19:35, 7:35, Fri 4 May 19:35, Fri 4 May 17:35, Fri 4 May 9:35
R Jaco Peyper
AR Mike Fraser
AR Francisco Pastrana
TMO Garratt Williamson
Head to head: Played 18, Hurricanes 6, Blues 11, Drawn 1
Last match: Blues 25 - 26 Hurricanes @ Eden Park (2012SR WK5)
Notable fact: Blues have won just three of last ten
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Usually this clash is considered one of the more exciting rivalries in Super Rugby, and while the flailing fortunes of the Blues may prevent a classic like season’s past, there is still just as much at stake for the two North Island franchises.
Blues coach Pat Lam summed the encounter up this week when saying that the Hurricanes had exceeded expectations, while his own troops had been below expectation in 2012 – which is no understatement considering that one more loss officially makes it the worst season in history (in terms of defeats) for the franchise.
Competitive showings against the Sharks and Highlanders hinted at a turnaround of fortunes, but losing to the Reds for the first time at Eden Park last week was a performance that summed up their season.
Everything that is associated with a non-winning team was on display against the champions, not only on the field with poor passes and lack of execution, but off the field as Lam remarked post-match that his troops paid little heed to the game plan.
The Hurricanes, despite a season so far that has dramatically increased the stocks of the franchise, need a win here to stem the whisperings from such sections of the New Zealand media that they have ‘bluffed’ their way through the season so far.
An unfair assertion as a team doesn’t lead the season try scoring charts by luck alone, but while their backs and counter attack have been first class, on more than one occasion their willing but inexperienced pack has struggled, with the Chiefs and Crusaders putting the squeeze on Mark Hammett’s team up front in the last fortnight.
Ordinarily this could point the way to success for the Blues, but with Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu out (along with feared enforcer Jerome Kaino), the Hurricanes might fancy their chances of gaining parity up front.
The battle of the three quarters should be absolutely delicious, with the hosts boasting a heady back division mixed with the experience of Conrad Smith and Cory Jane, with the youthful vibrancy of Beauden Barret and Andre Taylor.
Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu return to Hurricanes territory for the first time in enemy colours, and while the Blues on paper have the backline to mix it with the hosts – the Hurricanes have confidence in their primary weapon, while the visitors scoring potency sits at a less than flattering 15 for the season (compared to 29 for the home team).
Saturday 5 May
Chiefs v Lions
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Kick-off (local, GMT, NZT, NSW/ACT, SAT)
19:35, 7:35, Sat 5 May 19:35, Sat 5 May 17:35, Sat 5 May 9:35
R Ian Smith
AR Nick Briant
AR Grant Stuart
TMO Ben Skeen
Head to head: Played 14, Chiefs 10, Lions 4
Last match: Lions 30 - 34 Chiefs @ Coca-Cola Park (2011SR WK10)
Notable fact: Chiefs have won four of last five
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One more win and the Chiefs can make it nine on the trot, and could dream about matching it with some of the longest streaks in the competition (led by the Crusaders at 16, followed by the Blues and Bulls with 12).
Certainly everything points to a convincing home win here, not only with the team running hot, but with arguably the best coaching team in the tournament, boosted by the news this week that defence coach Wayne Smith has turned his back on a lucrative offer from England.
While Dave Rennie has rested some troops for this match, there is still quality all over the park, with the backline remaining at full strength.
The unity and vibe coming out of the Waikato based franchise at the moment is ironically similar to the same cohesion that the Lions boasted – albeit last season when they won the Currie Cup title.
This year has been a difficult one for the Johannesburg based franchise, with injuries diminishing their squad, although it has also now been well proven that South Africa’s premier domestic competition isn’t at the same level as Super Rugby (Free State fans will remember their dominance of the Premier Division, winning in 2005, 2006 and 2007, that didn't yield any success in Super Rugby)
The Lions begin a four-match tour and will look to halt a seven-match losing streak, although their arrival in New Zealand may not intimidate considering they won a historic match in Dunedin roughly 11 months ago.
If the visitors are to have any chance, they will need a massive change of fortunes up front, with a poor set piece robbing the Lions of any momentum whatsoever, something that will be needed if the worst attacking team in Super Rugby is to make any impact on the best defence.
In the old days former Waikato coach John Mitchell might have targeted the Chiefs up front, but this has been one of their many weapons this season, while the host’s backline might relish the chance to step outside their pack’s shadow and cut loose in Pukekohe.
Sunday 6 May
Crusaders v Reds
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off (local, GMT, NZT, NSW/ACT, SAT)
16:00, 3:00, Sun 6 May 16:00, Sun 6 May 14:00, Sat 5 May 5:00
R Bryce Lawrence
AR Vinny Munro
AR Kane McBride
TMO Matthew Muir
Head to head: Played 18, Crusaders 12, Reds 6
Last match: Reds 18 - 13 Crusaders (2011SR Final)
Notable fact: Reds have won last three, breaking 11-match losing streak
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The seven-time champions against the current title holders, a rematch of the Super Rugby Final, and a fixture that will either see the hosts mark their claim for a possible eighth title, or the visitors emphatically get the defence of their crown back on track.
For the Crusaders, not only will revenge be in mind for their 18-13 loss in the 2011 decider, but avoiding some undesired history, with the Reds three consecutive wins (only achieved by the Bulls and Blues previously) just one triumph away from establishing the best ever winning streak by a side against Super Rugby’s most successful franchise.
Never in history has a side won four consecutive matches against the Crusaders.
Further for the Reds will be the promise of winning three straight matches on New Zealand soil for the first time, and continue a remarkable record where they have won their last six games against New Zealand Conference opposition.
The hosts appear to be slipping up the gears, a familiar sight at this time of the season for a franchise that has qualified for the Super Rugby Final’s Series every year since 2002.
World Cup winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw returned to give the Crusaders their full complement of test stars, while Dan Carter’s recent return has sparked a return to form for others including Israel Dagg.
This menace has been countered on the selection table by Reds coach Ewen McKenzie with the inclusion of the Faingaa brothers, both noted low tacklers who were integral in the Reds march to the crown last season, and noted talkers - something the Super Rugby winning coach said was important as the Queenslanders seek to rediscover their 2011 swagger.
Defending is one aspect, but countering the Crusaders attack will be a little more difficult, with Christchurch fans no doubt a bit disappointed that Quade Cooper isn’t running out onto AMI Stadium – and the absence of last year’s arch wizard has the Reds languishing in tenth equal place in terms of offensive potency.
If the glamour clash is decided up front, the champions will need a massive change of fortunes, with a Reds forward pack relatively untainted by injury still to impose themselves this season.
This is in contrast to a stellar Crusaders pack that is being led by the form number eight of Super Rugby in Kieran Read, while there still isn’t any guarantee McCaw will dislodge understudy Matt Todd – who leads the competition in tackles this season.
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