Rugby: Blackadder wary of Chiefs

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is fully aware of the Chiefs strikepower out wide and the fact they will still be smarting from surrendering a big lead to lose at home to the Reds in the Super 14 rugby competition last week.

Blackadder expects the Chiefs to vent their spleen on the Crusaders in their fifth round fixture at Hamilton on Friday night, but he said his team were up for the assignment after training in Christchurch today.

"'We're going up there really committed, really hungry and have focused on looking forward. When they look at their game (after the Reds loss) I'm sure they'll feel they just need to refocus and it's all there."

Blackadder predicted the Chiefs would continue to play an expansive game with subtle variations.

"'The first three times they threw the ball wide against the Reds they scored tries and that's just gold. They've shown all campaign they've got strikepower. We've just got to deny them that set piece pressure.

"They're last year's finalists and a good side. We know what it is like to get one shoved up you and I'm sure this week, with the chance to make amends, can't be too long for them. We expect it to be a confrontational and physical contest as they always are."

The Crusaders have made two changes to the team who beat the Blues 33-20 in Christchurch last Saturday.

Halfback Andy Ellis has not recovered from a head knock in the second half against the Blues and has been replaced by regular understudy Kahn Fotuali'i, while All Blacks lock Isaac Ross, back from an ankle injury, has relegated rookie Sam Whitelock to the reserves.

Blackadder said Ellis had not recovered by today and team procedures meant he was not considered.

All Blacks prop Ben Franks and No 8 Thomas Waldrom, both of whom missed the Crusaders 22-man team last week because of injury, have come on to the reserves bench in place of Peter Borlase and Jonathan Poff respectively.

The Chiefs have won two of the last three matches between the teams, ending a record home winning run by the Crusaders with a 30-24 victory in Christchurch in 2007 and prevailing 18-5 at Hamilton last year.

Overall, the Crusaders have had most success, winning 10 of the 14 clashes, including a record 50-18 score in Christchurch five years ago. They had eight successive wins from 1999 to 2006.

- NZPA