Rugby: The big clashes that hold the key

Kieran Read. Photo / Getty Images

For 16 years the Crusaders and Bulls have dominated the Super rugby landscape.

Their authority has been so prevalent, their title haul so heavy you need to double check that neither team made the playoffs in three seasons. It seems unusual but it is kosher - in 1996, 1997 and 2001.

Every other year they have been in the final or lifted the silverware as the Crusaders have seven times and the Bulls on three occasions. Tomorrow they meet in Timaru because of the earthquake closure of AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The Crusaders still look the business in the New Zealand section, but the Bulls are facing some exacting competition from the Stormers and Sharks in their conference.

Questions are also mounting about whether the Bulls' style and lack of variety is suitable for continued success or the Springboks.

Some of those inquiries will be unveiled tomorrow at Timaru when the Crusaders and Bulls square off.

Is this the Timetravellers against the Timewarp, the Movers against the Faders?

"I don't think we will be surprised by their tactics," Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said. "But we need to get our heads back round this game after our trip back from London, then the bye when we slipped into a bit of holiday mode."

The Bulls have done some touring too, heading to Queenstown for their training after getting past the Hurricanes last match. That result, said coach Frans Ludeke, showed off their template nicely.

"We controlled the game tactically, defended superbly, dominated contact and completely disrupted their lineout. They could never get on the front foot," he said.

Morne Steyn's ability to convert penalties and drop kicks was golden momentum.

Senior players had stated their credentials and they had to back that up again this weekend.

The Crusaders have lost their backline general Daniel Carter and lock Sam Whitelock for this game.

Carter's hamstring is still tight after the money-match at Twickenham while Whitelock will miss the next two months because of ankle surgery.

Where does that leave the match? How does that affect the odds of the Bulls beating the Crusaders for the first time in New Zealand since the 1996 debut of the competition? The game can be broken down into a number of key match-ups.

Scrum

The Crusaders dished out some lessons last round to a test-laden Sharks side and will be out to do it again. Ben Franks rumbles into the front row for his younger brother alongside Cory Flynn and Wyatt Crockett against the Bulls' front row of Dean Greyling, Gary Botha and Werner Kruger. There's ballast for the Bulls but the Crusaders have got that shunt going too and must use it as a weapon to free their dangerous backline.

Jack v Matfield

Two of the centurions lock horns again with Chris Whitelock in the sickbay. Both have gone a bit beyond the peak of their careers but both still deliver. On his day Victor Matfield is a great leader and more dynamic while Chris Jack will be asked to muscle up and hit rucks which Matfield inhabits less and less.

Read v Spies

Mega-athletes inhabit the No 8 role with Kieran Read perhaps a little ginger after his neck injury at Twickers while Pierre Spies carries all the training ground numbers without transferring them this season, on to the park. Read has led his side superbly; his work-rate and contributions have been outstanding.

Ellis v Du Preez

Andy Ellis carries the unwelcome reputation of an armchair halfback in such a well-organised outfit. But he has looked sharper this season and his passing and box-kicking have been crisper. Those elements have given the rockstars more time and the outcomes have been gold. The Bulls have even richer halfback power with Fourie du Preez the pulse for his side as tactician, navigator and helmsman. He has time and uses it superbly to vary the pace of a game.

Berquist v Steyn

After touring the country, Matt Berquist has settled with the Crusaders and makes his first start for them this weekend. He is steady in most portfolios but his gypsy-like career says something about his rating for this level of rugby. Morne Steyn is a menace with his boot, kicking for goal anywhere from halfway in. His kicking destroyed the 'Canes and he is certain to test the courage and skill of the Crusaders' back three with an array of heavenly howitzers.