We'll do the Super 14 today and NRL tomorow as I really need to think hard about the NRL,thats why.

The Crusaders lost to the Cheifs last week to end thier winning run and they could be in need to look closer at themselves as I think the Blues can get up in this match,the Crusaders may be a great all round side but take a few players out and match them up against the other NZ sides and they are not that far ahead of the chasing pack,in truth in NZ the teams who have the best records are the Crusaders,Blues and Hurricanes ,in fact ask most people here who they think will be the best and it's almost always the Crusaders but ask the experts and it's the Cheifs,the Cheifs are our second biggest region for Union in this country and were always going to get it right eventually, they regualy go through about every 4 years beating all the other sides in NZ in our NPC Competition,now the question is can the biggest region of them all now beat the Crusaders this week,I'm not putting it past them,in fact in these games against their mates is where the Blues usually stand up.

The Blues have made a few changes this week and have dropped Toeava to replace him with Benson Stanley,they have Ncacewa in at fullback and have Moa in at half back,now all those moves are for a purpose,Stanley is a tremendous front on defnder,Moa is a running half back and Nacewa is a roaming fullback,aad in Tuitavake is at centre also and the Blues look ready to launch an all out attack here on the might of the Crusaders,their forward pack has nothing to fear from the Crusaders and are just as big and mobile as their southern couterparts and are probaly more durable also,they have a good side who have been under performing,what better time to apply themselves than now.

The Crusaders were bulllied last week by the Cheifs loosies in Lauaki,Messam and Lattimer last week and this week it does'nt get any easier,their backline was far from their best and looked lethargic,in fact the Crusaders only poijts in that game last week came from an error by Leonard that led to the try for Brett,the Crusaders are still a tremendous side and the Blues will have to be at their very best to topple them,but the thing is that they can do it,it's all i the mind as to whether they will or not.

The Crusaders have won 2 of the last 3 played between these two and in Canterbury have won their last two aganst the Blues by some big margins,but the Blues did beat the Crusaders last season in Auckland 34-25.

There is a 10 point start on the blues and I would take it,i'm tiping the upset on here mainly because I want to,but it is not as much of an upset as many might think,the Blues and Crusaders have a great rivalry here and are so close talent wise it;s unbeleivable,if the Blues can get a fair share of possesion and not turn the ball over to easily they are a massive chance here in this game,the Blues must win this game to stay alive in the tournament and I expect them to try very hard to get it,there is not as much between these sides as the odds would suggest,a few seasons ago when Carlso Spencer was still playing for the Blues he won the game for them by scoring in the final seconds and running across the field to put the ball down right on the sideline,he then took the mickey out on the whole Crusaders crowd by kicking the goal to win the game and bowing to the crowd,don't be to surprised if the Blues with Evans and Ncacewa do the exact same thing...Take the start of 10 if you want to saty safe..or look for the upset with me...Good Luck.



Pick : Blues WIN
Odds : 4.25
Stake : 7 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2008-04-25
Match Result : 26-22
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