Blues forward Hoskins Sotutu loses the ball over the line, during the last matchup of the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park on 18 March, 2023. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Opinion: The Blues and the Crusaders are on a collision course this Saturday night in Christchurch, but it isn't like it was this time last year.
2022's Super Rugby Pacific finalists seemed destined to be on the main stage when the honours were decided and it came to pass, albeit in a game that Crusaders fans loved but not one that anyone else has any fond memories of.
This time, it's different. The two sides are struggling to keep pace with the red-hot Chiefs, with the competition leaders looking increasingly likely to go through the regular season unbeaten.
The Chiefs face the Reds in New Plymouth tonight, in what will be no doubt a regulation walkover for them, so the showdown in Christchurch is all about who will put one hand on home ground advantage in the playoffs.
Fading empires, maybe. Both the Blues and Crusaders are entering new eras next season, with Scott Robertson and Leon MacDonald off to the All Blacks and a few of their players having already confirmed their futures and presumably a few more to do so as the year goes on.
Leon MacDonald and Scott Robertson are both heading away from direct involvement in Super Rugby Pacific. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
But what does the immediate future hold? For a start, and something that will be music to the ears of rugby officials around the country, the game should be played in front of a full OrangeTheory Stadium. There were fewer than 1000 tickets left a day out from the match and the forecast for Saturday night in Christchurch is looking good.
Samuel Whitelock is out of action for the Crusaders, but it's one omission for the Blues that's got the headlines. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck isn't even on the bench for the Blues, three weeks after announcing that he was heading back to league next season, and it's not hard to think those two things aren't related.
A full rundown of RTS's time in union and how it could have gone better is a story for another day, but it is also worth noting the situation at the Blues over the last year has seen a couple of other careers hit roadblocks too.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has not made the Blues' match-day squad. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Photosport
A year ago, Kurt Eklund was being pencilled in as an All Black, now he's only started one game all season. Tom Robinson, once touted as a test player too, has struggled to even make the match day squad.
That's how quickly things can change without even factoring in injuries.
While this has the makings of another chapter in a famous rivalry, it is worth remembering that the recent history of it has been stunningly one-sided: while the Blues pulled off a memorable win in Christchurch last year, it was their only victory in the last 17 times they've played the Crusaders.
The last time they played, at Eden Park in round four, it was an instant classic. The biggest crowd to watch a Super Rugby Pacific match this season was treated to a stunning display that showcased a lot of talent destined to play a part in the All Black campaign later this year.
So, let's hope we get another one of those. Elsewhere, the Drua have a good shot at pulling off a rare away win in Perth, while the Hurricanes will be wary of a Moana Pasifika side that almost upset the Blues last weekend.
The biggest test is for the Highlanders on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Brumbies in Canberra. If they lose it'll be their third in a row against Australian teams and fifth in a row overall.
The consequences of that are dire: the Drua could open up a handy cushion in their quest for a playoff spot, which may well come at the Highlanders' expense.