The stats don't lie: Week three preview

The Crusaders are fielding no less than 11 current and former All Blacks in their starting lineup tonight. Photo / Getty Images

Match of the weekend for round three is the Crusaders v Waratahs in Nelson, the change of venue brought about by the immense damage caused to AMI Stadium following the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch.

In other games the Chiefs will host the Rebels in Hamilton, the Blues take on the Lions in Johannesburg and the Highlanders face the Bulls in Pretoria. The Hurricanes have the bye.

STATS AT A GLANCE

- The Crusaders v Waratahs is only the fifth Super rugby match to be played at Nelson's Trafalgar Park, but history shows that matches involving the Crusaders at this ground have all been high scoring affairs with an average 80 points scored per game.

- The Crusaders and Waratahs have played 17 times including two Super Finals (2005 and 2008) with the Crusaders well ahead on the ledger with 13 wins, including those two finals.

- Sonny Bill Williams will make his Super Rugby debut at second five eighth.

- The Crusaders are fielding no less than 11 current and former All Blacks in their starting lineup.

- The Waratahs are the only Super side to have scored maximum competition points from their two games to date and lead the Australian conference. Drew Mitchell is top try scorer with 3 tries.

- The Chiefs and Rebels are both bottom of their respective conferences and are the only two sides yet to register a competition point.

- In previous match-ups the Blues have averaged 47 points per game against the Lions'13, and the Lions have never beaten the Blues in the four games played.

- The Blues have chosen to bench All Blacks Keven Mealamu and Anthony Boric for this game, while Luke McAlister gets his first start of the season at 1st 5.

- The Highlanders and Bulls have met 14 times, with the Highlanders edging the Bulls with 8 wins to 6. The Highlanders lead the NZ conference and are the only unbeaten NZ side.

- 36 year old Tony Brown has been drafted into the Highlanders squad as an injury replacement and looks likely to play against the Bulls this weekend. He is still the highest points scorer for the Highlanders.

- The Hurricanes are the only NZ side assured of picking up points this weekend, as teams with the bye automatically gain 4 competition points.

- HERALD ONLINE