All Black coach John Mitchell is famous for being tightlipped - frustrated interviewers reckon he spends words like they cost $5 each.
But yesterday, he spent $10 worth to give his pick for tonight's Super 12 final - the Blues.
He thinks the Auckland team have the all-round game to upset the Crusaders at Eden Park.
The Blues are playing in their first final since 1998; the Crusaders are the defending champions who have been in five finals in the past six years.
Mitchell is to name his national squad on Monday, and he says Blues and Crusaders players will have the inside running.
"We are very close to conclusions," he told the Xtra Super 12 website yesterday.
"There are really only one or two areas that we are looking at specifically now, but we obviously can't account for injuries and that could change the mix."
Players from the Blues and Crusaders, who finished the Super 12 round robin first and second respectively, had the advantage in the tussle for final All Black spots.
"They have one more opportunity to provide evidence," Mitchell said.
"In the last three finals I've witnessed [NPC and Super 12], we have made selection decisions based on those performances.
"The intensity you get in finals is valuable, as it is close to the levels you get in test matches."
Mitchell said "exciting new talent" had emerged in Super 12.
He singled out Joe Rokocoko (Blues winger), Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes centre and wing), Daniel Carter (Crusaders five-eighth), Kristian Ormsby (Hurricanes lock) and Deacon Manu (Blues prop).
And he spent a few more words to explain why he is backing the Blues tonight.
"My reasoning is that they shift turnover ball quicker than most, punish errors quickly and kick for field position quickly from turnovers.
"They have an all-round game and have more attacking options. They are also a very good defensive unit.
"While the two finalists are very good defensively, the Blues have consistently shifted the ball to their outsides from turnovers more quickly than most teams in the competition, and I don't expect the final to be any different."
The TAB's thinking is in line with Mitchell's.
Its odds last night had the Blues at $1.75 and the Crusaders at $2.05.
* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.
Super 12 schedule/scoreboard
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