Crusaders v Chiefs
Record: Crusaders won 12, lost 3; Chiefs won 11, lost 4.
Head to head: Chiefs 24-21, Crusaders 34-19.
History: Crusaders have won 10 titles, while the Chiefs collected back-to-back titles in 2012-13.
Team news: Sam Cane makes a welcome return and will start off the bench for the Chiefs, while Crusaders openside Ethan Blackadder has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.
Statistical edge: Both teams know their way to the tryline. But Crusaders pair Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku have a competition-high 10 tries apiece, while Sevu Reece has made more clean breaks than anyone else and has dotted down nine times. Chiefs first five Bryn Gatland is the leading scorer with 120 points, and his side is No 1 for scrum accuracy and No 2 for lineout accuracy.
Key personnel: Crusaders fullback Jordan is magic and is part of a dynamic back three. The Chiefs’ greatest strength is a tight five that includes Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta’avao and Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Game plan: Accuracy, discipline, patience. Whoever has more of those qualities will emerge victorious. But the Chiefs will look to hold on to the ball for as long as possible, while the Crusaders will probe for opportunities out wide.
Prediction: Crusaders by three.
Blues v Brumbies
Record: Blues won 14, lost 1; Brumbies won 11, lost 4.
Head to head: The Blues won 21-19 with a drop goal in injury time.
History: The Blues are three-time champions (1996-97, 2003) but were rubbish for most of the past decade. The Brumbies have won the title twice (2001, 2004).
Team news: Blues winger Bryce Heem (concussion) is replaced by AJ Lam in one of three changes to the starting side, while the Brumbies are without centre Len Ikitau who was suspended for a high hit last weekend.
Statistical edge: The Blues have won 14 games on the trot and they lead the competition in tries (69) and clean breaks (93). The Brumbies have a more accurate lineout (86.7%), but are shaded in most of the key statistics.
Key personnel: All Black first five Beauden Barrett is back in great form and sets the tone for the Blues. The Brumbies loose forward trio of Rob Valetini, Pete Samu and Tom Hooper have the job of making sure Barrett does not have the time and space he needs to create havoc.
Game plan: The Brumbies will need to be organised on defence and wait for opportunities to unleash the likes of potent winger Tom Wright. The Blues have game-breakers across the park, so recycling the ball quickly and setting up mismatches will be the key to their success.
Prediction: Blues by 10-plus.
