Super Rugby 2013: Crusaders v Bulls preview

Two of Super Rugby’s biggest rivals, the Crusaders and the Bulls, will face-off this weekend (16 March 2013) in Round 5 of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament.

The Bulls and Crusaders have been having polarising campaigns so far, with the Bulls winning all their matches so far, while the Crusaders are coming off back-to-back losses against the Blues and Hurricanes respectively.

The Bulls have stuck with a relatively unchanged side from the team that defeated the Blues in Round 4, with the only exception coming in the form of Jürgen Visser, who replaces Lionel Mapie on the left wing after Mapoe picked up a shoulder injury.

The Crusaders have brought in Tyler Bleyendaal, who will take his place on the bench.

While the Crusaders are starting slower than their usual explosive beginnings, this will be the first home game for the team, which will undoubtedly boost the morale in the squad.

Israel Dagg had an underwhelming game against the Hurricanes and was punished by Julian Savea on two occasions, who, in all fairness, caused trouble for just about every Crusaders player.

Dagg, along with Fruean, Crotty and the impressive Johnny McNicholl, will need to look to attack the defense more head on if they’re looking to puncture the strong Bulls line-up.

The Bulls had a great showing against the in-form Blues, and Morne Steyn’s flat and wide passing showed the running prowess the Bulls possess. A similar approach should cause concerns for the Crusaders.

Rugby Informer’s prediction: The Crusaders team that shows up on Saturday will not be the same lacklustre team that couldn’t execute in earlier rounds. It’ll be a close game, but if the Bulls stick to their physically dominant gameplan, the Bulls should secure the win through Steyn’s boot. Bulls by 10.

The Bulls will meet the Crusaders on Saturday, 16 March 2013, in Christchurch. Kick-off is at 08:35 (SA time).

Crusaders team:

15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10  Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17  Joe Moody, 18  Tom Donnelly, 19  Luke Whitelock, 20  Willi Heinz, 21  Tyler Bleyendaal, 22  Adam Whitelock.

Bulls team:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jürgen Visser, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellett.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Jan Serfontein.