Hurricanes and Crusaders set for enticing clash

The Hurricanes and Crusaders match in Wellington on Saturday has taken on a mouthwatering look after the latest round of the Super 14.

With the Hurricanes sharing top spot with the Waratahs after seven rounds, and the Crusaders having just had a bye, the game becomes crucial for both sides.

The New South Wales and Wellington sides each have 28 points, while the Canterbury franchise have 27. The Hurricanes had a win over the Sharks at the weekend and the Waratahs thrashed the Blues.

Lome Fa'atau of the Hurricanes said: "It will be a biggy. Hopefully we will be able to come back fresh next week. Those guys are having a break and will be looking at our weaknesses so we can't hold anything back."

Waratahs fullback Peter Hewat passed 100 points this season with a sparkling performance, slotting a perfect nine from nine shots at goal and scoring one of his side's tries in their rout the struggling Blues.

"It's very handy that's for sure," their captain Chris Whitaker. "It's handy to have a guy in your team where you get a penalty and you can throw him the ball and more than likely he's going to get it."

The Waratahs, last year's beaten Super 12 finalists, Crusaders and Hurricanes have proved a class above the rest of the field so far and barring a spectacular collapse of form in the second half of the competition should be well in contention for the semi-finals.

The Brumbies, Bulls, Highlanders and surprise package the Cheetahs also remain in the mix.

The Brumbies' Stirling Mortlock scored a try, set up his side's other two tries and kicked 13 points to move his side outright fourth on 23 points after beating the Chiefs.

"I think it was a gutsy effort to come back the way we did," said Mortlock. "To do that, it can only be a positive going into the business end of the season." 

Round 8 fixtures (all times NZ):

Friday, March 31
Blues v Bulls Auckland 7pm
Waratahs v Cheetahs Sydney 9.05pm
Force v Stormers Perth 11.10pm

Saturday, April 1
Hurricanes v Crusaders Wellington 5.30pm
Chiefs v Highlanders Hamilton 7.35pm

Sunday, April 2
Sharks v Reds Durban 3am
BYE Brumbies/ Cats

- REUTERS, HERALD ONLINE STAFF