Plenty still at stake in pre season clash

The vast majority of the 8000-plus spectators may be in party mode but it will be serious business for the Hurricanes and the Crusaders when they meet in a Super 15 pre-season rugby match at Mangatainoka tomorrow.

While the result will be of only academic importance considering no championship points are at stake both sides are in the process of working into top form before the Super 15 competition kicks off at the end of this month.

And that means the emphasis won't be on seeing how many spectacular tries they can score but on producing the style of rugby they want to play in the weeks ahead.

There is no doubt too that coaches Mark Hammett (Hurricanes) and Todd Blackadder (Crusaders) will be keeping an eye on individual players, especially those who are basically trialling for spots in their first choice starting XVs. This is a royal opportunity for them to push their claims.

Just how many of the All Blacks in the respective squads will participate in the action is unclear but that some will take the field for at least a portion of the game is practically guaranteed.

Of the two sides it virtually goes without saying that the Hurricanes have the most to gain from a positive outcome. In season after season in Super competition they have promised much and delivered little and there has also been criticism of their off-field performance, especially last year in Hammett's first year as head coach.

Showing they are able to compete against a squad of the calibre of the Crusaders would therefore be a huge confidence boost for the Hurricanes, and their loyal band of supporters.

The main fixture kicks off at 3pm and will be preceded by a match between two invitation teams, one competing under the banner of the day's major sponsors, Tui Brewery, and the other the Mangatainoka RFC.