This weekend starts off with a BANG!!!!!!!!!!
The Chiefs and the Crusaders have each only lost one game and they will be hellbent on not losing a second.
The history books may tell us that the Chiefs have only beaten the Crusaders 4 times in 14 outings, but that is of no consequence this weekend. The Chiefs are experiencing a very good season in comparison to their historical form while the Crusaders are doing just the opposite.
This is going to be a derby of epic proportions and having a damn good ref officiating the game will just improve the quality of the match.
Ref: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
ARs: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 08:35 SA Time, 06:35 GMT
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
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Well first what do you know
i’ve got the saders by 5 on sb “go saders go”
I’ve also picked the saders to win this one, but compare the two backlines. Carter the only big name really, Chiefs have explosive talent all over the place. This is going to be interesting indeed. More interesting, what would constitute an upset? What de Malmanche. Craziest SOB around, good player though.
i’m quite nervous about these Chiefs, when they click, they’re unstoppable but i hope they have one of their usual team brainfarts & play like palookas!
The saders have a lot of youngsters in the backline, ryan crotty, colin slade, robbie fruean, zac guilford, jared payne with only carter & ellis that are all blacks.
But these boys put down the blues & i’m backing them to see off the chiefs…
SADERS UP!!!
Go Chiefs!! By at least 7 points!!
@Megatron (Comment 4) : picked saders last week so this week picked the reds
GO SADERS GO must win by 5
@Megatron (Comment 4) : The Crusaders team is unbelievably balanced. They don’t necesarily consist of the big names, bar Carter and McCaw ofcourse, but damn they play a good team game. That’s what makes them unstoppable!
I’d still like to see the Chiefs get this one, just for SB sake, but I won’t be surprised if the Saders whip them.
Only ONE LMS picks for this game.
It is for the Crusaders by Denmans Boys
Brave man to picks a derby match for LMS.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : i agree about the balance but they can be really careless or complacent when they want to, see the reds game, they made 17 handling errors and most of the were unforced. The youngsters that i mentioned sometimes lack the composure & patience to put the final nail when in the opposition’s 22, that worries me, cos a lot of opportunities go begging & with a guy like masaga who can break from anywhere on the field and make something out of nothing!
@Baldrick (Comment 3) :
Very interesting question that. At what point DOES a victory become an upset?
Let’s use the SB picks as a gauge.
Picks for Chiefs 21785 (41.87%)
Picks for Crusaders 30073 (57.8%)
Picks for draw 170 (0.33%)
I’d say a Chiefs Victory would be considered an upset, because the expectations are for the crusaders to win.
I picked the Saders but am hoping for an upset.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
OOPS. NO I DIDN’T!!!!!!!!
Chiefs by 13 for me on SB.
@Megatron (Comment 9) : The young backline was the deciding factor for me to choose the Chiefs over the Saders. I agree fully with the composure and finishing, it might cost them a home semi come the end of the round robin’s. I’m really excited to see how this unfolds!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : That was brave!!! Crusaders have had their one bad game for the year (Reds). They won’t lose that eassily again.
Remember Chiefs in the S14 final, they came so badly unstuck as to be an embarrassment!
@Baldrick (Comment 13) :
IT WAS A MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what came over me!!!!!!
@Baldrick (Comment 13) :
Yeah but that was because there was a Saffa ref doing the game.
Chiefs by ….. 3
Wishfull thinking 
ar2 awrence s-6rt5ng a beard starts the ga0e.
bloody numlock
Lawrence sporting a beard starts the game.
Stephen Donald slots a PK
Chiefs 3 – 0 Sadres
1min
Donald NOT my FL captain today, but in my starting XV
Ruck formed and Saders stick a hand in the ruck.
Donald going at goal from the Saders 10m line
Over
Chiefs 6 – 0 Saders
4min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : Ditto
@JarsonX (Comment 22) : thats a lie, not in my starting xv
Saders looking great on attack and get to 5m out before the Chiefs are penalised.
Carter going at goal
Carda slots it.
Chiefs 6 – 3 Saders
6min
Saders TRY!!!!!!!!!! #9
@JarsonX (Comment 23) :
I have kept him there coz he will kick a lot but not more than Steyn will against the Highlanders, so Made Steyn the Capt this week.
Den Carda slots the Conversion
Chiefs 6 – 10 Saders
9min
Messam off injured
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : Yip Steyn my Cappie aswell, couldnt decide between Carter and Donald, so Gitau got the nod
Both teams some great running but outstanding running by Masaga.
Chiefs win PK after quickball by them catches the Saders offside.
Set up LO on Saders 22.
Saders steal the ball.
Offside Saders just outside the 22.
Lovely run by Leonard.
Donald going at goal
My Sharks kingdom for a Guilford or Sivivatu
@JarsonX (Comment 29) :
I knew this wuld be a kick fest but a lower scoring one than the Bulls game
Donald slots it.
Chiefs 9 – 10 Saders
17min
@rhineshark (Comment 32) :
Preferably a Masaga.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : what is with the strange spelling of DC’s surname?
@Megatron (Comment 36) :
Just wanting to make sure I pronounce it the same as the commentators
Carda slots a PK
Chiefs 9 – 13 Crusaders
20min
Carda misses a PK.
Chiefs 9 – 13 Saders
25min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 35) : Forgot about him, but yes, him as well . The work rate of these guys compared to ours is unbelievable.
@rhineshark (Comment 40) :
Hehehehehehehhehehe
TJ Chris Pollock call McCaw PK but no YC for a dangerous tackle.
GO SADERS NEED A WIN BY 5 just keep it going up
@rhineshark (Comment 40) :
Hey No fair!!!!!!!! Editing after I laughed at you.
Second TRY for the Saders #9!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carda slots the conversion
Chiefs 9 – 20 Saders
29min
KAHUI TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In my Starting XV!!!!!!!!
Donlad slots the conversion
Chiefs 16 – 20 Crusaders
34min
Crusaders denied a try by a knock from a kick pass across field by Carter
Carter slots a PK
Chiefs 16 – 23 Saders
38min
993 points for Carter in Superrugby
Game of the series so far?
Donald misses a PK after the hooter.
HALF TIME
Chiefs 16 – 23 Crusaders
@Original Pierre (Comment 51) :
No there was a game last week where I said game of the season, Will go and see which it was.
This IS a good game.
@Original Pierre (Comment 51) :
Bulls v Waratahs was the game I was thinking about. That is the game of the season thusfar IMO.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : Yeah but remember I missed all of last weekends` games.
This one is end to end stuff. Crusers are really looking good with the ball closer to mid field with very good inter play between forwards and backs. They might not be ” there ” yet, but they`re hitting their stride now.
Chiefs on the other hand looking very dangerous from broken play,but that`s no surprise.
Haven`t seen Masaga`s celebration jive yet unfortunately LOL
What has happened to the picture????????? Is it raining or did they have fireworks at half time?
@Original Pierre (Comment 55) :
YIP it’s raining
Saders throw it skew at the LO and the Chiefs have a scrum on the Saders 10m
43min
Penalty Saders just outside the Chiefs 22 for de Malmanche not rolling away.
Carter going at goal
Come on Chiefs!!!
Carter pushes it left.
46min
6 Handling errors for each team
Scrum Saders in their 22.
Cheifs 16 – 23 Saders
50min
Dont have many Chiefs or Saders in my starting squad, coz I thought this might go either way, looks like the Saders will take this one
After a pretty boring 1st 5min in the 2nd half the second 10min was much better and now the enxt 5 is even better.
Feed gone.
No picture only score.
Carter slots a PK
Chiefs 16 – 26 Crusaders
54min
I have put all my Bulls in the Starting XV for exactly that reason.
de Malmanche walks into Lawrence and you can HEAR the THUD on the mic.
PK Chiefs and Donald sets up an LO 20m out
Saders steal the ball and after getting it into the Chiefs 22, Muliaina clears
39 points in the 1st half and only 3 in the 2nd half so far.
Chiefs 16 – 23 Saders
60min
@JarsonX (Comment 64) : gee Jason what happened to the other pic old much better
GO SADERS
Sweeney on for Bruce.
i quite rate Sweeney
UMPTEEN phases and the crusaders are not over the line yet
on the 20th
Phase, Lawrence calls the TMO to see try no try.
@Charmaine (Comment 72) : thanks a lot
NO Try.
Saders attacking scrum 5m out
69min
@JarsonX (Comment 77) :
She don’t like the look of you.
Come on Chiefs, wake up dweebs
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : hey, i need ur help. check ur mail
Saders #17 no bind and the Chiefs get a PK.
go saders jason might just loose 1 point
Chiefs lose the LO after the PK.
Neither team doing well in the LOs.
Would love to see the stat on that.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 79) : that jersey makes me look fat
thats why I want a new white one 
PK Chiefs
Donald going at goal from the halfway line, 7m in from touch.
@JarsonX (Comment 85) : agree on that one white will look much better
@Charmaine (Comment 83) : cant lose any points, but wont gain any either
OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Low and long. 
Chiefs 19 – 26 Crusaders
73min
@JarsonX (Comment 88) : okay
@war1 (Comment 81) :
Have replied, send the article through and i’ll post it.
Saders knock it at the LO.
Chiefs on attack 10m out
76min
PK against the Chiefs at the scrum
Saders heave a sigh of relief.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 93) : GO CHIEFS!!!
DRAW?? Please Chiefs draw at least
won’t make it GO SADERS
i can c some are going to loose points
Chiefs have Sharkensons disease knocking on all the time.
@JarsonX (Comment 96) : Jason what happens on SB if there is a draw
FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chiefs 19 – 26 Crusaders
well 1 /6 for me
Crusaders go top.
The one LMS pick for the Saders survives.
Chiefs go 2nd courtesy of the loss BP.
This weekend’s LMS picks.
The Three Lions picks are all defaults. (I Hope
)
QR Reds 44
HSBC Waratahs 20
Vodacom Bulls 9
Chiefs 4
Auto & General Lions 3
CA Brumbies 2
Blues 2
The Sharks 1
Vodacom Stormers 1
Crusaders 1
This is not a good SB start for me
I was tempted to go with the chiefs for this one. Thank goodness I went with head not heart . . .
@JarsonX (Comment 106) :
My SB doing as well as usual
0/6 
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : Go Western Force!!!!
I wanted to pick Red but decided on Blou 
@KSA Shark © (Comment 108) :
@JarsonX (Comment 109) : mmmmm brave call . . .
@KSA Shark © (Comment 103) : I think that is my Dad
Hey guys…
Good game – good tactical awareness by the Saders there. Not tempted to breakaway and allow Chiefs to counter them. They did try to build some patient attacks though – and those paid off. I have to give it to them for being disciplined and sticking to the game plan.
Donald did kick that long PK – and that monster touch-finder towards the end – but his kicking in this game and the previous one has made a big difference to the final result.
Picked the Saders on SB so I won’t complain…
@blackshark (Comment 113) : Yeah amongst the backs the chiefs had more to offer than the Saders but this was clever rugby by the Saders. Focus on your own strength and shut out the opposition. But yeah, would you expect anything less from those clever customers?