KEY POINTS:
Two years ago the Crusaders and Hurricanes squared off in the Big Fog Final before the red mist descended over Tana Umaga and Chris Masoe at the Jolly Poacher.
Any forecast about the outcome of Saturday's semifinal is equally dodgy because both sides come to the opening Super
14 semifinal after weekend defeats. The Hurricanes were edged out in a tense away battle against the Blues but the Crusaders were beaten, emphatically, on their home ground by the unfancied Highlanders.
That result did not affect the Crusaders' lead after round-play but it emphasised their faltering presence this month. They made hard work of beating the Sharks and the Reds before stumbling badly against the Highlanders.
"We don't want to be like last year where we limp into the semis and then don't front up," said concerned Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw.
The square-off between the best two New Zealand sides offers another player comparison for the All Black coaches as they look ahead to naming their squad for the opening June 7 test against Ireland in Wellington.
After the opening semifinal, the All Black panel will be able to assemble players from four New Zealand franchises with their only logistical worry being a possible Super 14 final between the Hurricanes and Sharks in Durban.
Across the Tasman, the Waratahs have overcome the mid-season conflict which forced out coach Ewen McKenzie and reached the playoffs for the fourth time. Along with the Sharks they have the momentum while the Crusaders, especially, have hit an eddy of uncertainty.
Defence, discipline and set-piece composure which have underpinned their campaigns under coach Robbie Deans, have eroded in recent games and deteriorated on Saturday night.
The game done, Deans apparently offered a brief, direct outline of the Crusaders' semifinal week. It was easy to imagine the theme would have been about conscience and personal responsibility to the Crusaders' dynasty, rather than some routine uttering about a wake-up call.
They got that last week against the Reds in Brisbane and it did not make any difference.
The Crusaders were not sharp while their opponents, the Hurricanes, would have been left mentally frayed as they had to wait until yesterday to discover whether they had been overhauled by their South African pursuers. They were saved by their better points differential and the Stormers' inability to score one more try.
The most unsettling part for the Crusaders was their continuing wobbles. There were those in Christchurch who believed the prolonged civic farewells for Deans were a distraction and a pointer to the Crusaders' fate this Saturday.
That ignores their pedigree and Deans' coaching record of four Super 14 titles. His coaching acumen and selection loyalty will be put to the test after the lacklustre contributions of centurion Crusaders Reuben Thorne and Caleb Ralph and some edgy work from wing Sean Maitland.
Rising blindside flanker Kieran Read, centre Casey Laulala and former All Black Scott Hamilton must be favoured to return to the starting XV to host a Hurricanes side with only one injury concern, skipper Rodney So'oialo nursing bruised ribs.
It was unusual to see the malaise among the Crusaders on Saturday and how vulnerable they were against the ferocious commitment of their southern rivals.
Daniel Carter was indecisive and Ali Williams was easily distracted from his duties while Richie McCaw was sinbinned and on a different wavelength from referee Keith Brown.
* SEMIFINALS
Crusaders v Hurricanes
Christchurch, 7.35pm Saturday
Waratahs v Sharks
Sydney, time to be confirmed Saturday
