Rugby: Weekend of intrigue for NZ teams

The Crusaders host the Waratahs in Nelson tomorrow night. Photo / Getty Images

An air of intrigue hovers over New Zealand teams in this weekend's third round of Super rugby.

Will the Crusaders overcome the emotional impact of last week's deadly Christchurch earthquake when they take on unbeaten overall leaders the Waratahs?

Can a revamped Blues side offer more at altitude against the Lions than they did at sea level against the Sharks?

Can the country's leading side, the Highlanders, stretch their winning run to three when they play defending champions the Bulls at Pretoria?

And will the Chiefs break their losing run against Australian newcomers, the Melbourne Rebels?

Prudence dictates that the Crusaders, seeking their first win of the tournament, will not be at their best when they meet the Waratahs on Friday at their temporary home at Nelson's Trafalgar Park after a gut-wrenching 10 days.

But their desire to raise the morale of Christchurch citizens while honouring the victims of the Pike River mining disaster - they will be garbed in West Coast colours for the match - cannot be underestimated.

A power-packed backline featuring Super rugby debutante Sonny Bill Williams, in tandem with the blockbusting Robbie Fruean in the midfield, should give the Waratahs - missing first choice No 10 Berrick Barne - plenty to worry about.

Coach Todd Blackadder has made just two changes to his run-on side that lost to the Blues in their season opener, Williams being one. Adam Whitelock is the other, moved from second five-eighth to the left wing to replace the injured Tu Umaga-Marshall.

The Crusaders will need to rely on more than just emotion to beat the Waratahs, Blackadder said this week.

He believed his players want to start playing again and have determination written all over their faces, relieved to get back to training and a sense of normality this week.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said the Crusaders will be certain to show immense pride in their regional colours during a distressing time.

"It will be a difficult time," Hickey said. "Given the circumstances, the Crusaders will want to perform well for their region and their supporters. I think we will also be affected once we get there as well."

Blues coach Pat Lam has wrought six changes to his side after a lacklustre 12-26 loss to the Sharks at Durban.

In his most important call, he gives Luke McAlister supporters a chance to see if the enigmatic one can further his claims as All Blacks back-up to Dan Carter.

He's also given the captain's arm band to No 8 Jerome Kaino for the Johannesburg encounter on Saturday morning (NZT), after benching All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu in a player-managing move.

The John Mitchell-coached Lions have suffered two tight losses, 16-19 to the Stormers and 20-24 to the Bulls but have shown a new-found fighting spirit.

Ian Foster, like Lam, will also be hoping his early season rotation policy will pay off in the long run for the Chiefs, winless and bottom placed after two rounds.

They host 10th-placed newcomers Melbourne Rebels at Hamilton in their first home game of the season on Saturday, and Foster has returned veteran midfielder Tana Umaga and fellow backs Brendon Leonard and Stephen Donald - playing his 75th Super rugby match - back into his run-on side in five changes.

"We have had two tough weeks on the road, made tougher with not getting the results we wanted," coach Ian Foster said.

"However... we are very determined to play well at our first home game this year."

The third-placed Highlanders, in the unaccustomed role as New Zealand flag bearers, have a daunting task in Pretoria where the also unbeaten Bulls, who beat them 50-35 last year, await them on Sunday morning (NZT).

The fourth-placed Bulls will be keen to notch their 21st successive home

victory as they chase the Crusaders' record of 26 home wins from 2004 to 2007.

The last time the Bulls lost at Loftus Versfeld was when the Hurricanes beat them 50-22 in 2008.

- NZPA