press.co.nz Pitman v Latta Racing’s national premiership rivalry continues at Ashburton today. P1

THE PRESS, Friday, July 5, 2013 B12

RUGBY ’ pride is on the line no longer ’S PUSH FOR THE PLAY-OFFS With twowo rounroundsds remaremainingining bbeforeefore tthehe finfinalsnals beging on JulyJy 19-20, ,p up to 10 teateams are chasinggpyp the six play-off spots. fear red and black Here aree thethe contenders.contenders.

Richard Knowler 1. CHIEFSIEFS (61(61 ppoints)oints) 10. (42 points) ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● FRUEAN RECOVERS Up until last year the Chiefs were v Crusadersrs (a), v (a)(a) v KinKingsgs (a), ((h)h) respected by the Crusaders, but Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean there was always a sneaking is recovering well from his open- One more competitioncompetition pointpoint LLikeike the SharksSharks,, the Stormers suspicion that if the South Island heart surgery on Wednesday. A is all they nneedeed to top the NZ need to help themselves and side hogged possession and Crusaders spokeswoman said conference.e. A realreal cchancehance ooff then anxiously wait to see maintained a structured defence doctors have been pleased with winning thee minor prpremier-emier- whether the other fringefringe they could rip them open in the his progress since having a valve ship and bookingooking a home ccontendersontenders imimplode.plode. Few can final quarter. replacement. Fruean, who has Then and his been visited by Crusaders doctor semifinal. TThehe local see that hahappening.ppening. assistants Wayne Smith, Tom Deb Robinson, is expected to derby gameses - both away - Coventry and Andrew remain in hospital for several could take their toll ahead of GONERS Strawbridge took over the more days. the finals. Hamilton-based franchise. That HHurricanesurricanes (39),(39), Rebels (32)(32),, changed everything. 2. BULLSULLS (59(59 ppoints)oints) FForceorce (27), Kings (24), HiHigh-gh- The revamp of the coaching TEAMS staff immediately resulted in an llandersanders (22). inaugural Super Rugby title win v (h),(h), v StormersStormers (a)(a) ❯❯❯❯ for the Chiefs, the first New CRUSADERS: , Having alreadyeady won the SA WHAT HAPPENS IF Zealand side to secure the crown Tom Marshall, , Tom conferencee the ‘‘Bull‘‘Bullyy BoBoys’’ys’’ Taylor, , , since the Crusaders won it in 2008. will now focuscus on runninrunningg TEAMS ARE TIED The 37-6 victory over the Sharks Andy Ellis, (c), Matt in last year’s final was ominous. Todd, George Whitelock, Sam down the ChiefsChiefs so they can ON POINTS? It sent out a message that Whitelock, , Owen set-up campp at Loftus VerVers-s- Rennie and co, who recently Franks, , Wyatt feld as theyy eyeeye their first To break the tie, the following extended their contracts to 2015, Crockett. Reserves: , grand final since 2010. To break the tie, the following were the real deal and also , , Luke stestepsps will be followed until siphoned some of the fear factor off Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler there is a winner: the Crusaders’ reputation. Bleyendaal, Telusa Veainu. 3. (59 points) , will aim to exploit Blues this weekend will ease they should be safe. Sounds ‘‘There’s a lot of pride at stake ❯❯❯❯ CHIEFS: Robbie Robinson, this. At least Quade Cooper their stress considerably, easy doesn’t it? The reality is 1. Most wins from all matches. here,’’ Crusaders coach Todd Patrick Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, v Force (a) will be fresh! followed by four vital compe- that they are in deep trouble - Blackadder said ahead of tonight’s , Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Certain to finish head of the tition points from the bye. and that starts in Bloemfon- 2. Highest aggregate points , Tawera Kerr- match at AMI Stadium. Aussie conference. That’s 5. CRUSADERS (51 points) tein where the are difference from all matches. Defeat would do more than just Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Sam dent the Crusaders’ honour. It also Cane, , Brodie unless the Reds beat the 7. WARATAHS (44 points) preparing a frosty welcome. 3. Most tries from all match- has the potential to leave them in a Retallick, (c), Ben Waratahs by 118 points to v Chiefs (h), (h) es. state of anxiety. Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi overtake the Brumbies with a A win over the Chiefs will v Reds (h) 9. SHARKS (42 points) In addition to handing the Manu. Reserves: Mahonri 4. Highestest bonus-point win and on book them a place in the Combustible coach Michael Chiefs the conference Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Michael aggregatete points differential. Let’s get playoffs. Beat the Hurricanes, Cheika has to instruct his title they may be left in the Fitzgerald, Tanerau Latimer, v Bulls (a), Kings (h) differencece position of having to beat the Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, real: there’s more chance of too, and they have booked a men to go into all-out attack Their hopes are extremely of total Hurricanes in the final round- Tim Nanai-Williams. giving us a home qualifying final. against the Reds to grab a slim. Last year’s beaten ❯❯❯❯ REFEREE: Jonathon White. tries for robin match in next straight answer on his playing bonus-point win and then finalists (who recently weekend to qualify for the playoffs. Kick-off: 7.35pm. versus triesries future. 6. CHEETAHS (46 points) hope other results swing his When the two sides last met in dumped coach John scored againstgainst side’s way. He should be Hamilton, on May 24, the Plumtree) need bonus-point from all Crusaders were lashed for their Wednesday for a valve replace- 4. REDS (54 points) nervous. v Blues (h), BYE wins in Pretoria (highly matches.. sloppiness as the Chiefs eased ment – will also provide some Last Sunday’s surprise loss to unlikely) and in Durban (quite home 28-19. motivation for his mates to win. v Waratahs (a) the Stormers didn’t help their 8. BLUES (44 points) possible) and then pray other 5. Coin Dan Carter and Tom Marshall Crusaders captain Kieran Read In the hunt. But their Walla- cause. Their fate is in their results swing their way. toss. coughed up tries when their clear- will also be charged with monitor- bies will be exhausted from ing kicks were charged down, an ing referee Jonathon White’s own hands. A win over the v Cheetahs (a), Chiefs (h) early attacking lineout was spoiled ruling of the breakdowns and the Lions series. The ‘Tahs, in Two bonus-point wins and by giving away a penalty and the arguing his side’s case when they early scrums disintegrated as believe their ball is being slowed and Ben by unsupported bodies or slow Tameifuna grappled at the en- ruck exits. There is little doubt gagement. that playmaker Aaron Cruden will Blackadder would have again also be high on the priority list of Slade weighs his options at Super level cursed those charge-down tries men to shadow and harangue. scored by Aaron Cruden and Craig The Chiefs have been rewarded Clarke in his reviews of their for their clinical attacks from set- Richard Knowler be selected, Slade would not be myself and regretting it.’’ dreadful 2-12 record has forced remains a goal. Aaron Cruden and ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● previous encounter. plays and a blitz defence, led by drawn into discussing whether a The 10-test All Black arguably Slade to grapple with a different have cemented ‘‘We actually talked about that second five-eighth Ryan Crotty, is committed to return was possible. played some of his best rugby with set of baggage – the heat that their places as Carter’s back-up during the week. Probably our could suffocate powerful midfield playing for Canterbury but has yet ‘‘I’m not sure, I don’t like the Crusaders where his value was accompanies such a deflating cam- and is also capable of blockers weren’t doing a good runners Bundee Aki and Charlie to decide whether he will return to talking contracts, I’m yet to make a realised at first-five, wing and full- paign. covering No 10 along with second- enough job and we gave them free Ngatai. the Highlanders next year. decision. I’m definitely looking to back in 2009 and 2010. ‘‘You could use a lot of words to five and fullback. access to our kickers. We will focus ‘‘They stick to it [their plan] and The 25-year-old, who played for stay for a couple of more years and His first two seasons with the describe it. It’s not much fun losing But Slade is anticipating that a lot on putting pressure on their do it really well. In some ways it is the Crusaders for two years before will tidy that up at the end of the Highlanders totalled just seven every week and it can be hard to Canterbury’s penchant for attack- exit as well.’’ maybe easier to analyse but it’s joining the Highlanders in 2011, Super Rugby season.’’ appearances, mainly because of a find confidence at times because ing should have a positive influ- The return of tighthead prop another thing stopping it,’’ Read will be a free agent after the Super He was more definitive in his broken jaw and broken leg. you are constantly looking at the ence on his confidence levels dur- and rake Corey said. Rugby season ends. views about signing for an over- Slade recovered from his injur- negatives. ing the NPC. Flynn, who missed that match Results from the previous four Although a return to the seas club. ies before being cut down by a ‘‘There hasn’t been lot of love ‘‘I’m looking forward to using because of injury, should add some matches favour the Chiefs’ 3-1, Crusaders would make sense, ‘‘I would be lying to you if I said groin tear in the 2011 World Cup from the media and public and, their game plan, just the way they potency to the scrum. including last year’s 20-17 semi- especially with Dan Carter tipped I hadn’t thought about it . . . But I quarterfinal against Argentina. rightly so, I suppose but the team play. Hopefully I can make it Robbie Fruean’s health issues – final victory in Hamilton. Last to skip the 2014 campaign and thinkifIdidthatatthisstageof Although able to avoid serious haven’t turned on each other.’’ through the season without a sig- he had open-heart surgery on night 15,000 tickets had been sold. three first five-eighths expected to my career I would end up kicking injury this season the Highlanders’ Playing for the All Blacks nificant injury.’’

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