Damian McKenzie, the most dangerous runner in Super Rugby, looms as a key threat the Crusaders must nullify in their semifinal - the question is whether the Chiefs can get enough ball to him.
The little fullback leads most of the attacking statistics this season, including metres run with the ball, carries, and defenders beaten, although it was his goalkicking skill which helped get the Chiefs home against the Stormers in Cape Town in their quarter-final.
McKenzie's speed and footwork from the back has cut teams open all year, but the Crusaders will back their defensive structures which suffocated a Highlanders attack including All Blacks Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo in their quarter-final last weekend.
The weather conditions will again play a huge part. The Highlanders were guilty of kicking too much possession away during their 17-0 defeat at AMI Stadium and yet moving the ball safely past centre Malakai Fekitoa was extremely difficult.
The extra care taken to pass the ball meant the red and black wall was virtually in the faces of Fekitoa, Smith and Naholo when they received it, and while there is less rain expected this week, the temperatures on Saturday night will probably only be just above freezing.
