A super clash to drool over

Speedster Rico Gear is expected to be in damaging form for the Crusaders tonight. Picture / Fotopress

While they have diverse early form, any Super 12 game between the Blues and Crusaders is a magnetic confrontation, and this is underlined by tonight's near sellout at Eden Park.

The arch rivals have been the dominant New Zealand teams in the 10-year history of the competition and offer the sort of tasty conflict the series needs this season.

Too many early-round games have been mediocre because mistakes have eclipsed performances or sides have been ill-matched.

On results, the Crusaders look to be a superior side. On reputation, they are also favoured, with Reuben Thorne passing his fitness trial yesterday to complete an entire selection of past or present All Blacks.

They can also taunt the Blues with the homecoming of in-form wing Rico Gear and Mose Tuiali'i, and teamwork which suggests they are ready to avenge a three-match losing sequence to the Blues.

But those short-price favourites tags have not always panned out in Auckland recently; just ask the Warriors and some of those who went Interdominion punting last night at Alexandra Park.

Referee Paddy O'Brien was a keen spectator at the races (betting results unspecified) as he prepared for what is likely to be his last time in charge of a Blues-Crusaders match.

O'Brien said he had no preconceived ideas about the way the game might pan out but would speak to both sets of front rows, the captains and probably the coaches in a pre-match stroll around Eden Park.

"They are two of the most talented teams in New Zealand but you can't make them play top rugby.

"My hobbyhorse is quick ball at the tackle. That is not negotiable, because if you don't get that the game meanders along. The key thing is to get the tackler out of the road."

The Crusaders had a couple of hitches yesterday before they were able to reached Auckland. Fog in Wellington meant congestion at other airports and a delay in their flight from Christchurch.

Then their bus and a car had a disagreement.

The Blues will need to deliver many of those sorts of speed bumps today if they are to break free from the poor form of the past two games.

Set piece has been a Blues strong point this season but they come up against a formidable pack, boosted even further with the return of experienced lock Norm Maxwell.

Without quick ball from the breakdown to create some multiple phases, any promise in the Blues backline will be shut down as they were by the Reds and Chiefs.

Carlos Spencer may have some luck kicking to the Crusaders wings, but that tactic is unlikely to be consistently productive.

The Crusaders can be damaging, from the boisterous Corey Flynn and Richie McCaw to halves Justin Marshall and Daniel Carter and the speed of Gear. They bring a team ethic and pattern which the Blues have yet to display. They also bring coach Robbie Deans, who has understated his side's quality.

The Crusaders are composed and the relentless pressure should be damaging.

This match should be a fascinating insight into the future of the series and, even at this stage, a hint for Graham Henry and his All Blacks.