Wynne Gray: Marshall will need all his nerve in Ellis Park clash
The dossier on the best use for Benji Marshall is expanding, writes Wynne Gray.
The dossier on the best use for Benji Marshall is expanding, writes Wynne Gray.
Another week, another backline casualty for a Crusaders team searching for attacking inspiration.
The Chiefs have come under fire for their allegedly illegal tactics ahead of what is likely to be a high-impact encounter against the Stormers tomorrow.
Marnitz Boshoff still isn't a certainty to play the Blues at Ellis Park on Sunday morning.
Stop the Waratahs' forward pack and you'll stifle try-scoring machine Israel Folau.
Sir John Kirwan's comments about Keven Mealamu's calf injury, and the fact he has been sent home from South Africa.
The reinforcements are ready for the Chiefs and, before an arduous schedule over the next two months, their arrival is not a moment too soon.
They were the only NZ franchise to taste victory this week - a vital first win of 2014 for the Crusaders.
There is no spontaneity, the players are not reactive, writes Justin Marshall. The Crusaders have their structures and they look like a team that will do anything they can to stick to them
Consistency is not yet their forte as they wavered on the Highveld in Pretoria, teasing us they might conjure a late victory before falling 38-22 to the Bulls, writes Wynne Gray.
On current form, the Hurricanes could ensure their season is over by round six. Not bad. It equals the efforts of the Highlanders last year, the Blues in 2012 and betters their own work in 2011.
The Crusaders won't get close to winning the Super title playing as they did against the Stormers.
The Crusaders have pinched a late win over the Stormers to earn their first points of the Super Rugby season.
Join us here for live coverage of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Stormers from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
If the Hurricanes weren't panicking after losing their opening two games of the Super Rugby season they might need to change that approach after dropping their third.
As learning curves go, Simon Hickey's is dauntingly steep. Having made his debut against the Crusaders, he'll now face the Bulls in Pretoria.
It's not panic time yet at the Hurricanes but they need to strike a result tonight.
Aside from a five-minute burst against the Stormers last weekend, the Hurricanes' attack has barely flirted with excitement this season.
The Force will go back to basics this week in a bid to end their Super Rugby losing funk.