Malakai Fekitoa fends off George Bridge during the Highlanders' 22-25 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last month. Photo / Photosport.
Malakai Fekitoa fends off George Bridge during the Highlanders' 22-25 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last month. Photo / Photosport.
It will be wet, but the Super Rugby quarter-final between the Crusaders and Highlanders is set to go ahead.
Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach has confirmed that the quarter-final is good to get, despite the terrible weather hitting the region.
"The quarterfinal is on, the Highlanders have arrived and the game is on," he told Radio Sport.
Riach is confident things will run smoothly at AMI Stadium, and has advice for fans planning to attend the game.
"You're going to have to dress warmly, you want your best oilskin and gummies on. It's not going to be a fantastic night's weather, but we're really determined that we'll have an occasion fitting of Super Rugby quarter-final."
Following the Hurricanes' victory over the Brumbies in Canberra last night, the second, and arguably most anticipated, Super Rugby quarter-final is just hours away.
Alex McLeod runs you through everything you need to know about what is bound to be one of the biggest South Island derbies in recent times.
AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 7:35pm kick-off
Tonight's quarter-final features two of the best teams in the competition in the Crusaders and Highlanders.
The Crusaders have had an outstanding season thus far, finishing the regular season with a 14-1 record, leaving them with a total of 63 competition points, which placed them at the top of the New Zealand conference and second in the overall standings.
The Christchurch-based franchise had an opportunity to become just the third team in Super Rugby history to complete the regular season undefeated after the 1996 Blues side and the Crusaders team of 2002, but they fell short in a 31-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington last week.
Meanwhile, their southern rivals had an indifferent start to their Super Rugby campaign, beginning with three defeats to in their first four matches, all of which were against New Zealand opposition.
The 2015 champions bounced back in impressive fashion however, storming to a club record of nine consecutive wins which saw them maintain a wildcard playoff spot for the duration of the season.
This evening's clash will be the side's third meeting of the season, and if the previous two encounters are anything to go by, then viewers of tonight's match should be in for a rollercoaster ride.
The South Island neighbours first met back in round two at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, in a match where the home side raced out to a 27-6 lead with 26 minutes remaining.
A penalty try and further five pointers from David Havili and Whetu Douglas set up a grand stand finish in front of a near-sold out crowd in the final five minutes of the match.
The come-from-behind victory was completed when former All Black Seta Tamanivalu scored a scintillating 50 metre try to ensure a 30-27 win for the visitors.
Fast forward three months to early June, and the local rivals met again at tonight's venue in Christchurch in their second-last match before the commencement of the playoffs.
In what was a tightly-contested affair in Christchurch throughout the entirety of the clash, a mammoth 47 metre drop goal in the 83rd minute from reserve first-five Mitch Hunt broke Highlander hearts for the second time this year, giving the Crusaders a clutch 25-22 victory.
The Crusaders starting XV features 11 All Blacks, with a further two on the bench in Wyatt Crockett and Luke Romano.
The quality of the Crusaders' squad has best been exemplified in the forward pack, with Jordan Taufua the only forward in the starting side that is yet to win an All Blacks cap.
Captain Sam Whitelock returns to the starting line up after making an appearance from the bench last week, while the entire front row has been replaced in a move that sees the return of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks.
Ryan Crotty returns from the hamstring injury he suffered against the British and Irish Lions to start at second-five.
Although the number of All Blacks in their team is significantly fewer than that of their opposition, the Highlanders have still named a quality side, featuring many players who flourish at Super Rugby level.
Aaron and Ben Smith both return for the 'Landers, while Richard Buckman shifts from fullback to the left wing in place of Tevita Li.
Interestingly, coach Tony Brown has decided to name a bench that contains only two backs, with Kayne Hammington and Marty Banks providing backline cover.
There is some international experience that the away side can call upon from their substitutes in six-test Tongan prop Siua Halanukonuka and three-test All Black Elliot Dixon.
Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock (c), 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (vc), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Ryan Crotty (vc), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Israel Dagg, 15. David Havili
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitch Hunt, 23. George Bridge
Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Jackson Hemopo, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Liam Squire, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Luke Whitelock, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Richard Buckman, 12. Rob Thompson, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Ben Smith
The TAB has listed the Crusaders as favourites to come away from this match with a victory and qualify for the semi-finals.
The betting agency is paying $1.42 for a Crusaders win, while an upset result in favour of the Highlanders is paying $2.85.
Israel Dagg is the favourite to score first try of the match from either side, paying at $7.50, while Waisake Naholo is paying $9, the lowest odds out of anyone from the Highlanders.
By contrast, Highlanders prop Siate Tokolahi is considered the player least likely to dot down at any point throughout the match, with the TAB paying a huge $18 if the 25-year-old crosses the tryline tonight.
How to follow:
Join us for a live blog of the action from 7.00pm onwards. Radio Sport will also be covering the game live.
