CRUSADERS V CHIEFS
Christchurch, 5.35pm*
The empire will fall. Canterbury's superiority was crushed by a desperate team high on emotion last week, and they'll encounter nothing less tonight - without the castle's king, Dan Carter. The time is right for the Chiefs, they are on a roll, their season is on the line. Stephen Brett is no mug as Carter's replacement, but the Brett-Aaron Mauger combination is vastly unprepared for a game of this magnitude. That old battle between New Zealand's best pilferers, Richie McCaw and Marty Holah, ignites again and will ensure the game is played at a frenetic pace with forwards keen to recycle the ball before it's pinched. And at present a quicker pace suits the quicker Chiefs, despite the Crusaders' propensity to excel in high-octane clashes of seasons past. Chris Jack's return at lock and a formidable home record will make it difficult for Waikato's finest but their ability in using big, wide-running forwards to set up a backline bristling with pace will get them home - just.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben May, Michael Paterson, Kieran Read, Kahn Fotuali'i, Rua Tipoki, Johnny Leo'o.
Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Roy Kinikinilau, Dwayne Sweeney, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah, Liam Messam, Keith Robinson, Jono Gibbes (captain), Nathan White, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Kristian Ormsby, Steven Bates, Byron Kelleher, Murray Williams, Lelia Masaga.
Ref: C Pollock (NZ)
---> Byron and Richie, a story all in black...
Tonight the future player of Agen may not meet in Captain on the field...
**ce soir a 22h25 sur canal sport!!!
FORCE V BLUES
Perth, 9.05pm*
SATURDAY
HIGHLANDERS V BRUMBIES
Dunedin, 3.30pm*
HURRICANES V WARATAHS
Wellington, 5.35pm*
LIONS V CHEETAHS
Johannesburg, 11pm*
SUNDAY
STORMERS V SHARKS
Cape Town, 1.05am*
BULLS V REDS
Pretoria, 3.10am*
******
This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/05/03/1177788311320.html
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