Opensiders could spark Chiefs-Crusaders clash

Chiefs coach Ian Foster is quietly confident his faithful warrior Marty Holah won't be outdone in tomorrow's fifth-round Super 14 rugby match against the Crusaders.

Holah, regarded as the second-best openside flanker in New Zealand, faces Richie McCaw, not just the best in the country but widely acknowledged as the world's No 1 in the position.

"They have slightly different strengths, so it's going to be very interesting when they come together," Foster said.

The clash of the opensiders should be just one of the absorbing head-to-head duels in the game.

The others will see All Black wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs) and Rico Gear opposite each other, All Black fullbacks Mils Muliaina (Chiefs) and Leon MacDonald as the last men on defence, Chiefs hard man Sam Tuitupou against Aaron Mauger at second five-eighth and Sione Lauaki (Chiefs) and the equally powerful Mose Tuiali'i at No 8.

While the Crusaders are unbeaten, the Chiefs enter the match on the back of two consecutive victories, the home ground advantage at Waikato Stadium and perhaps their best training week of the season.

McCaw, 25, 1.87m tall and 106kg, has been in hot form, sparking his team's last two victories with inspiring all-round play. He also scored two tries against the Blues last week.

Holah, 29, 1.84m tall and 101kg, may not have been as prominent as McCaw with ball in hand but he's been more involved closer to his tight forwards.

The Crusaders' 39 unanswered points against the Blues signalled they were starting to hit the form that won them the Super 12 last season.

"In big games like that (against the Blues), to pull away like they (Crusaders) did just shows where their game's at," Foster said.

Of his own team, he said: "I think they are growing. It hasn't been all smooth this year but I've been pleased with the way we've been lifting our game in the last couple of weeks, and it's important in this campaign to keep building.

"It's not just about one game, but making sure you keep lifting week-in week-out -- that's our challenge."

Foster has made two changes to last week's run-on team, bringing in Simms Davison for Deacon Manu at loosehead prop and Anthony Tahana on one wing for his first start in place of Soseni Anesi, who is in the Commonwealth Games sevens team.

David Hill finally makes the playing squad this week after recovering from viral fatigue syndrome.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has made four changes, with Mauger returning from a hamstring injury to replace Cameron McIntyre, Andrew Ellis replacing All Black Kevin Senio at halfback, Wyatt Crockett coming at prop for Campbell Johnstone, who is out with a calf strain, and lock Ross Filipo replacing Brad Mika.

Deans said the Chiefs were starting to play with some confidence and fluency.

"Playing them in Hamilton, we're going to require a better performance than we've produced to date to get past them," he said.

"They've got a lot of assets and they'll be hoping to use those, the key will be who's able to take the initiative."

TEAMS

Crusaders:

Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Ben Franks, Brad Mika, Johnny Leo'o, Kevin Senio, Cameron McIntyre, Casey Laulala.

Chiefs:

Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tahana, Mark Ranby, Sam Tuitupou, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Bernie Upton, Jono Gibbes (captain), Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.

Reserves:

Aleki Lutui, Deacon Manu, Sean Hohneck, Kristian Ormsby, Jamie Nutbrown, David Hill, Loki Crichton.

- NZPA