View photos: Blues v Crusaders rivalryKEY POINTS:
It's the most bitter rivalry in New Zealand rugby, apparently, except for one small point.
There is a history of unforgettable games between Auckland and Canterbury and also great eras to compare. But you sense that the really passionate backing comes from only one side.
Auckland versus Canterbury, also known as the Blues versus the Crusaders, is the Goliath versus Goliath of the national game.
But when it comes to actual passionate support, Canterbury are all giant swords and armour plating while the Aucklanders can barely raise a slingshot.
What sets these two sides apart is the willingness, indeed enthusiasm, of the average Canterbury supporter to wear his or her heart on the sleeve, including when they make Auckland their new home.
Even during the great Auckland era of the late 1980s and early 1990s it was observed that the Auckland public was indifferent, leaving the team to operate in a vacuum. Auckland is a diverse, widespread place of many sub-cities whereas Canterbury is able to rise as one voice at Lancaster Park.
Cantabrians scowl with rage at perceived injustices or examples of Auckland arrogance during matches over the years. They still fume at Carlos Spencer clowning about before scoring a try and revel in Mark Hammett holding Sean Fitzpatrick down, telling the great All Black he wasn't fit enough for a comeback.
They remain angry at a Robin Brooke misdeed on Andrew Mehrtens, and also at the "Auckland mafia" deemed responsible for promoting the erratic Spencer ahead of the maestro Mehrtens into the All Blacks.
They still rejoice in the Eden Park try by former Auckland wing James Kerr which announced the start of the Crusaders dynasty, and celebrate the northern discards like Norm Berryman who have helped make Canterbury great.
There is even a hit list of most disliked Auks: Spencer is up there with Mark Carter, the flanker whose All Black credentials are regarded as being entirely to do with his address.
They'll even reserve a few barbs for blokes like Shayne Philpott, those deemed unworthy wearers of the Canterbury jersey.
History, history, history. Canterbury supporters drop names of settler families into conversation but the only settlement Aucklanders care about is the one when selling a house.
I jest, slightly, of course. And each to his or her own.
But every Canterbury supporter you talk to, and there are plenty of these "economic refugees" about in the Queen City, has a yarn to tell.
"I think they are more intense about it," says Barry Cave, the Avondale wharfie who is president of the Auckland rugby supporter's club.
This outfit was dealt a bitter blow in its formative years when Phil Gifford, the creator of an Auckland mascot in Loosehead Len, took flight and became chief whip for the Canterbury rugby party. Had Gifford done the reverse they would have burnt effigies in the Christchurch square - any Cantab forced to leave the enclave is automatically assumed to have become a pilgrim.
Cave says: "There are a lot of other sports in Auckland which people are into. I also like going out to see the Warriors. We have a lot of other nationalities in Auckland now and rugby doesn't mean so much to them. Canterbury might find that happening in years to come."
Cave can't remember any specific incidents in Auckland-Canterbury matches, apart from vaguely mentioning the Kerr try.
"The rivalry with Waikato might be bigger - they come here with all those cowbells and just seem more arrogant about it," he says. "When the Blues are out of the Super 14 we support to the Crusaders. They're a very good team and you want to support New Zealand. Unfortunately we're often out of the Super 14.
"Actually, we get on really well with the Canterbury supporters club although it's different out there in the public. Hamilton and Christchurch are the places you have to watch your back. The Canterbury supporters still give it to you even when they've won."
Of course they do.
Auckland isn't without its venom though. The great Auckland and All Black first five-eight Grant Fox is, with good reason, bitter about being booed while playing in the black jersey at Lancaster Park.
Auckland supporter Alan Perrott, a Herald writer, says: "It's just their general boorishness.
"Remember that kid down there with the sign 'I hate Auckland'. What's that all about? They've got it out of perspective.
"My favourite all-time most glorious rugby memory is when Carlos ran past the goalposts to put the ball down for a try in the corner right in front of their crowd then nonchalantly kicked the conversion."
Spencer claimed he was running the clock down, but admitted delight at hearing the Cantabrians' rancour.
After all, his favourite memory playing rugby in New Zealand was "going down there and pissing off those Canterbury crowds".
This rivalry has really taken off in the past three decades and the effects of professionalism have also concentrated the major battles into clashes between the big city teams.
For many reasons though, rugby is struggling to retain its fervent support at the moment, and Auckland backer Perrott says he has hardly watched the Super 14 and isn't too bothered about tonight's clash in Christchurch.
A mate of mine, one of those economic refugees from the south, is - unsurprisingly - as enthusiastic as ever.
"I left Christchurch for Auckland in 1987 and at the time, Auckland were unbeatable. They were a great side," he says. "I remember going to watch Canterbury at Eden Park every second year and we were getting a real spanking. It was awful, a nightmare.
"I think that's why when we are on top, I just can't get enough of it. I love it when Auckland are weak."
