Bye bye les Bulls, adios les Reds !
D'un coté on aura droit à Chiefs - Crusaders, et de l'autre Stormers - Sharks.
Soit 2 clubs NZ et 2 SudAf .... Et surtout Tauma
o, le futur pilier usapiste à suivre 
Un petit Preview vite fait :
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7933477,00.html
Ones to watch:
For Chiefs: Dave Rennie has taken a gamble by shifting gifted full-back Andrew Horrell back to the midfield for this winner-takes-all clash, in what will be only his second game ever at centre. Significantly, Horrell will be part of the same backline which also started against the Crusaders in their last regular season clash on July 6. Although he did not really put a foot wrong in that match, it's at number 15 where Horrell is best utilised as he's a better player in space and his speed is also an asset in that wider channel. He's in good company with Sonny Bill Williams on his inside, and Horrell will no doubt want to repay Rennie's faith with a solid outing in the biggest game of his career.
For Crusaders: When Brad Thorne departed New Zealand shores last season, the veteran lock left mighty big boots to fill. But Luke Romano, who luckily wears custom-made size 17 boots, has slotted in the Crusaders second row with aplomb. He will be targeted following his impressive display in Hamilton a few weeks ago that included some heavy hits and an important try. Romano was also the player responsible for disrupting the Chiefs' line-out and his team-mates will be hoping for more of the same.
Head to head: Aaron Cruden v Dan Carter. It's no longer master versus the apprentice as Carter and his All Blacks understudy attempt to weave their magic when the two world-class pivots face-off on Friday. Cruden has proved to be an indispensable asset to the Chiefs since making the move from the Hurricanes. His confidence is infectious, and has made a clear difference to the Chiefs' back-line that lacked a bit of direction in 2011. Carter, as always, will be relied upon to steer the Crusaders ship with ball in hand and from the tee where he punished the Bulls a week ago with a near-flawless goal-kicking display.
Recent results:
2012: Crusaders won 28-21, Hamilton
2012: Chiefs won 24-19, Napier
2011: Crusaders won 25-19, Napier
2011: Crusaders won 34-16, Tauranga
2010: Crusaders won 26-19, Hamilton
Prediction: Expect unrelenting urgency and intensity from both sides, but the team that's able to soak up the pressure best will ultimately claim the spoils.Crusaders by five!
The teams:
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Taumao.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Richie McCaw (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Sean Maitland.
Date: Friday, July 27
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:35 (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Keith Brown
TMO: Garratt Williamson
D'un coté on aura droit à Chiefs - Crusaders, et de l'autre Stormers - Sharks.
Soit 2 clubs NZ et 2 SudAf .... Et surtout Tauma
o, le futur pilier usapiste à suivre Un petit Preview vite fait :
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7933477,00.html
Ones to watch:
For Chiefs: Dave Rennie has taken a gamble by shifting gifted full-back Andrew Horrell back to the midfield for this winner-takes-all clash, in what will be only his second game ever at centre. Significantly, Horrell will be part of the same backline which also started against the Crusaders in their last regular season clash on July 6. Although he did not really put a foot wrong in that match, it's at number 15 where Horrell is best utilised as he's a better player in space and his speed is also an asset in that wider channel. He's in good company with Sonny Bill Williams on his inside, and Horrell will no doubt want to repay Rennie's faith with a solid outing in the biggest game of his career.
For Crusaders: When Brad Thorne departed New Zealand shores last season, the veteran lock left mighty big boots to fill. But Luke Romano, who luckily wears custom-made size 17 boots, has slotted in the Crusaders second row with aplomb. He will be targeted following his impressive display in Hamilton a few weeks ago that included some heavy hits and an important try. Romano was also the player responsible for disrupting the Chiefs' line-out and his team-mates will be hoping for more of the same.
Head to head: Aaron Cruden v Dan Carter. It's no longer master versus the apprentice as Carter and his All Blacks understudy attempt to weave their magic when the two world-class pivots face-off on Friday. Cruden has proved to be an indispensable asset to the Chiefs since making the move from the Hurricanes. His confidence is infectious, and has made a clear difference to the Chiefs' back-line that lacked a bit of direction in 2011. Carter, as always, will be relied upon to steer the Crusaders ship with ball in hand and from the tee where he punished the Bulls a week ago with a near-flawless goal-kicking display.
Recent results:
2012: Crusaders won 28-21, Hamilton
2012: Chiefs won 24-19, Napier
2011: Crusaders won 25-19, Napier
2011: Crusaders won 34-16, Tauranga
2010: Crusaders won 26-19, Hamilton
Prediction: Expect unrelenting urgency and intensity from both sides, but the team that's able to soak up the pressure best will ultimately claim the spoils.Crusaders by five!
The teams:
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Tauma
o.Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Richie McCaw (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Sean Maitland.
Date: Friday, July 27
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:35 (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Keith Brown
TMO: Garratt Williamson
