Super Rugby: Favourites all of a sudden look vulnerable

McLean Park next weekend could be the venue for the Crusader Sports make-or-break match in this year's Super Rugby, for suddenly the side which has been title favourites for much of the competition are looking vulnerable.
Indeed, if the Crusaders don't win this Saturday night against a Chiefs side, revitalised after a remarkable win at the weekend over the Stormers, then it's possible the Crusaders might just miss a play-off spot.
The Crusaders' loss in Bloemfontein to the Cheetahs has left them five points behind the leading New Zealand conference side, the Blues, who also lost at the weekend to the Reds but with a late converted try picked up two important bonus points, whereas the Crusaders couldn't even manage one.
The Crusaders are still five points clear of the next New Zealand franchise, the Highlanders, and it's conceivable under the complicated system used to find the six play-off sides there could be three Kiwi qualifiers.
But, starting with this weekend's Napier clash, the Crusaders face an increasingly difficult path maintaining their momentum for the rest of the competition.
Their remaining four games in the regular season will all be tough and possible losses. They also have to meet the Chiefs, having just completed a long trip back from South Africa.
After the Chiefs there will be the Reds in Brisbane, the Blues and finally the Hurricanes.
The added problem for the Crusaders is that all their games now, of necessity, are on the road. That, plus an injury list, which grew even bigger with Sonny-Bill Williams missing the second spell against the Cheetahs, now seems to be taking its toll.
Their remaining schedule also highlights some anomalies in the current format.
Not all of the 15 sides meet each other and the Crusaders might well wonder about a draw which sees them not playing two of the weakest sides, South Africa's Lions and Australia's Rebels.
While it appears Williams' knee injury is minor, it's unlikely a risk will be taken with him next weekend, and that, of course, will be an added regret for Hawke's Bay fans, with one of their favourite Magpies, Israel Dagg, also doubtful.
That the Chiefs will be extremely competitive was shown in their second spell recovery against the Stormers which saw them peg back a 20-3 halftime deficit and win 30-23.
Two Magpies, Hika Elliot and Sona Taumalolo, contributed worthily to the comeback but from a national viewpoint the main satisfaction was two All Blacks, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richard Kahui, back to their best.
It was a welcome return, too, from his long injury rehab by Piri Weepu for the Hurricanes in Invercargill on Friday night.
But that was rather upstaged by the ever gutsy Highlanders, for whom Weepu's main test rival, Jimmy Cowan, was an inspiration.
And Ben Smith showed again he loses little in comparison with the likes of Mils Muliaina, Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Cory Jane. Presuming all are fit, picking a World Cup squad will be difficult.