![Rugby: Lock in tomorrow for the clash of the titans](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Lock in tomorrow for the clash of the titans
What is shaping up as an epic semifinal deserves a similarly gigantic subplot.
What is shaping up as an epic semifinal deserves a similarly gigantic subplot.
The swagger has come from the Crusaders, the stagger from the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will be without the injured Tim Nanai-Williams when they take on the rapidly improving Crusaders' midfield in Saturday's Super rugby semifinal.
The Chiefs are aware of the awakening monster that is the Crusaders forward pack but are confident they have the personnel to combat it
Sonny Bill Williams was ushered into the Chiefs' Eden Park changing room on Saturday night to celebrate their victory over the Blues.
A year from now and who will recall that the Blues, reduced to 14 men for most of the game and 13 for a period, played so gamely and effectively against such monumental odds?
Join us for tonight's live blog of the Super 15 clash between the Blues and the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland.
What's on it? How much time have you got to dwell on the Blues' final match tonight against their regular Chiefs rivals.
A performance to celebrate - and there was plenty of toasting in the changing rooms afterwards, but the Crusaders have quickly put their stunning victory over the Chiefs in its place.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has no intention of using Sonny Bill Williams as a five-eighth at this year's World Cup, even though the rugby league world is marvelling at his ability to flourish in the halves.
By selecting Ben Tameifuna at prop, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is hoping to spike the Crusaders' scrum with the biggest piece of artillery he has.
A big factor in why the Chiefs looked a vastly improved side in the last 30 minutes of their victory over the Hurricanes in Hamilton can be found in one significant second-half substitution.
A rusty performance, this, from the Chiefs, but as we have seen so often over the past couple of years, it was enough to get the job done and in the end it was surprisingly easy.
Liam has been fantastic in both camps for a number of years, adapting very well to the instructions given to him while never forgetting his core jobs as a blindside flanker. In the Chiefs he is their co-captain so a lot more visible in the lead-up to game
Most rugby players carry niggling injuries during the season but James Marshall has struggled with the same complaint for the past four years.
The Chiefs changed the coaching landscape last year when they operated with four full-time coaches instead of the usual two.
As the centre of excellence moves north to Hamilton, last year's champs see adoration of Crusaders continue.
Hundreds have lined Hamilton's streets to celebrate the Chiefs second Super Rugby title in two years.
Chiefs captain Craig Clarke was being tipped as the strongest contender for a fairytale call-up to the All Blacks today, with former All Blacks Jarrad Hoeata and Anthony Boric outside choices.
Chiefs captain Craig Clarke has revealed himself to be a keen student of the points table so he will be extremely satisfied with his team's lot as he prepares for a weekend off.
How important was that Chiefs win over the Crusaders? "Massive'', says playmaker Aaron Cruden, who has suggested it will give the younger members of his team a new belief in their abilities.