First, it's a battle of the two teams that just missed out on the Aussie and New Zealand conference titles on Saturday night when the Crusaders host the Reds in Fortress Addington.
This in my opinion, is the game of the round. Both sides love to play an attacking and attractive brand of rugby and there's plenty of bad blood and history between both sides. The Quade Cooper v Richie McCaw war could reignite itself again with the All Blacks captain available for selection - remember the time Cooper kneed McCaw in the head?
There is no doubt that Crusaders fans will be right on Quade Cooper's back in a hope that the boos and cat-calls will distract his game just as it did in that Rugby World Cup Semifinal all those years ago. But if Cooper fires, he will help Will Genia fire what can be an exciting Reds backline.
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| Cheetahs were highly impressive earlier this year when they toured Australia and NZ |
Finally, the Australian conference winners, the Brumbies host the Cheetahs who are making their debut in the playoffs after a highly impressive season that involved 4 wins in the Antipodes. The Cheetahs had the bye the weekend before so should be quite fresh to face the Brumbies who are coming off a shock loss to the Western Force in Perth.
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| Can the Brumbies win their first Super Rugby title since 2004? |
However, it is still a big ask to ask the Cheetahs to cause an upset in what is essentially a fortress even if they did come close to an upset last time out. Jake White will no doubt have worked his young charges hard in training after they were lacklustre against the cellar-dwellers from the West.
My tips? Crusaders to win by 7, Brumbies to win by 10 meaning -
Chiefs v Crusaders
Bulls v Brumbies next weekend.
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