KEY POINTS:
For Liam Messam, there is a basic foundation block the Chiefs must work from if they are to topple the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow night.
The flanker is in rousing form, his scintillating solo try among the highlights of the Chiefs' 28-23 thriller against the Waratahs in Sydney
last Saturday.
But he acknowledged that turning in a strong 60 minutes won't be enough if the Chiefs are to end the Crusaders' 26-game unbeaten run at home.
"We've got to have an 80-minute performance from the team," Messam said. "The Crusaders are a champion side, you can't fall off for one minute or they're going to punish you."
As for the loosies contest, "it's going to be a difficult challenge". "They've got a great loose forward trio," he said, adding that the Chiefs aren't too shabby in that area right now either.
The loose forward battle - Mose Tuiali'i, All Black skipper Richie McCaw and Reuben Thorne against Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah and Messam, all present or former All Blacks apart from Messam - promises to be among the most intriguing match-ups in what should be a match to savour.
While the focus has been on the Chiefs' outstanding run of six wins from their last seven games, taking them to the brink of the Super 14 semifinals, the Crusaders, defending champions and pursuing a seventh Super rugby title, had six straight wins before tripping up 15-6 against the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.
That run coincided with the return of their six reinvigorated All Blacks, including McCaw and Thorne.
The Crusaders must win to be sure of a home semifinal; the Chiefs must win if their season is not to end tomorrow night. As Chiefs coach Ian Foster put it yesterday: "It's a great game when both teams have something to play for.
"Obviously, everyone's playing for pride week in, week out. But, this week, there are some tangible things teams are playing for."
The only changes Foster has made from the Waratahs match are the return of regular hooker Tom Willis and Tane Tu'ipulotu replacing the injured Tasesa Lavea at second five-eighths.
All Black halfback Byron Kelleher returns to the bench after missing the last two games with a nose injury.
The Crusaders have made four changes, most significantly at first five-eighths and lock.
Daniel Carter is out with a shoulder injury sustained in Canberra, with Stephen Brett taking over at No 10. All Black lock Chris Jack, having come through training this week after missing several weeks with a torn hamstring tendon, is included. A fifth forward, Michael Patterson, is on the bench as a contingency.
"Chris hasn't had a lot of rugby so we have to plan around him perhaps not lasting the full game," said Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett.
Andrew Ellis returns at halfback for an injured Kevin Senio and Rico Gear is back on the right wing.
CRUSADERS V CHEFS
Christchurch, 7.35pm tomorrow
CRUSADERS:
15. Leon MacDonald
14. Rico Gear
13. Casey Laulala
12. Aaron Mauger
11. Scott Hamilton
10. Stephen Brett
9. Andrew Ellis
8. Mose Tuiali'i
7. Richie McCaw (c)
6. Reuben Thorne
5. Chris Jack
4. Ross Filipo
3. C Johnstone
2. Corey Flynn
1. Ben Franks
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben May, Michael Paterson, Kieran Read, Johnny Leo'o, Kahn Fotuali'i, Rua Tipoki
CHIEFS:
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Roy Kinikinilau
13. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Tane Tu'ipulotu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Stephen Donald
9. Brendon Leonard
8. Sione Lauaki
7. Marty Holah
6. Liam Messam
5. Keith Robinson
4. Jono Gibbes (c)
3. Nathan White
2. Tom Willis
1. Simms Davison
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Kristian Ormsby, Steven Bates, Byron Kelleher, Murray Williams, Lelia Masaga Loosie battle will bring edge to match