S18 PREVIEW: ROUND SIX, PART ONE
Strap yourself in, it is going to be a wild ride.
Not only do we have two of the most exciting teams on the opening day of Week Six, but they are going head-to-head.
The defending champion Highlanders host the under-performing Western Force in Dunedin in what may well be a one-sided affair.
However, it is later on Friday when the Crusaders face the one South African team that can produce the kind and quality rugby New Zealand franchises have become known for.
It is not surprising to hear the Crusaders speak in cautious tines of their hosts, despite having won their last six matches against the Lions.
We look at the Friday, April 1, matches below!
There could not be two more contrasting approaches to a match - one team in a 'defensive' mindset, the other determined to avoid complacency because their are outright favourites.
Western Force coach Michael Foley spoke this week of the "massive" defensive effort that will be needed against the current Super Rugby champions.
"Last week, they had one line break, but scored four tries - which is an indicator of how they vary their attack with ball in hand and kicking."
The Force coach said his team will need to raise the bar considerably from their last three outings - when they coughed up 31 (against the Brumbies), 41 (against the Hurricanes) and 53 (against the Chiefs) - if they hope to end their losing streak.
"The key for us is to consistently apply pressure across 80 minutes.
"We asked good questions [against the Chiefs] in the first half last week and created some good scoring opportunities, but we need to ensure we put ourselves in a position to keep attacking for the full game."
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said although the Force are in the midst of a daunting four-game sequence against New Zealand opposition - the Crusaders are next up in Perth en route from South Africa - complacency would not be an issue.
"We're respectful of the opposition, I'm not sure we can afford to take anyone lightly," Joseph told Stuff.co.nz.
The Highlanders' famed defence and composure finally will again be key.
"The players took responsibility around that [defensive lapses against the Waratahs] and got it right," Joseph said.
Joseph was rapt with the Highlanders' attitude when denied the ball.
"I think that performance [against the Rebels last week] was about players taking responsibility following that 20 minutes against the Waratahs, wanting to rectify that and making sure the gaps weren't there.
"The most pleasing for me is to see the guys work hard for each other."
Recent results:
2015: Highlanders won 23-3, Perth
2014: Force won 31-29, Dunedin
2013: Force won 19-18, Perth
2011: Force won 21-14, Dunedin
2010: Force won 41-27, Queenstown
2009: Force won 33-28, Perth
Prediction: The Highlanders won their last fixture against the Force in Round 15, 2015 snapping a six game losing streak. The Force have won four of their five trips to Highlanders territory with their last away loss against them coming in Round Nine, 2006. The Highlanders have won their last seven matches at home, their longest streak since they won 13 straight home matches from the opening round of 2000 until Round Three, 2002. After starting their season with a loss the Highlanders have won four straight matches, the last time they went on a longer winning streak was in 2005 (six matches). Force flank Matt Hodgson is the busiest defender of the 2016 season thus far - having made 79 tackles, the most of any player, and missing just 11 more; Shane Cristie (62 from 72) has made the second most. Expect the Force to be competitive for the first half, perhaps even the first hour, but then the Highlanders should pull away to win by about 20 points.
Teams:
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Pat Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Shane Christie, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Jason Emery.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Solomoni Rasolea, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Ryan Louwrens, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Albert Nikoro.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)
For once you can actually believe the coaches when they heap praise on the opposition.
Not only are these two of the most exciting teams in the competition, but they are teams who have earned the respect of the opposition through the quality of their play.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann said that while it is "nice" to have earned the respect of the opposition, that will not bring them success.
"We have looked at them [the Crusaders] and have one or two things [we will try], but we have a lot of respect for what they achieved [against the Sharks] last week and in the past [seven championships]," Ackermann told a media briefing in Johannesburg this week.
"They are a mature side and they have a lot of leadership, with All Blacks in key positions," he said, adding: "They will be a big challenge."
Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar paid the Lions the ultimate compliment, by suggesting they play like New Zealand franchises.
Unlike the other South African teams, who all too often succumb to the fear of failure and revert to a conservative approach, Ackermann's team will not hesitate to counter from deep within their own territory.
"We are right on our toes in preparation for this game," Mooar said at a media briefing.
"They shape as, potentially, being the strongest South African team in the competition.
"At the moment they are playing more like a Kiwi side than a traditional South African side.
"They have the most defenders beaten, the most line breaks in the first four rounds."
Mooar pointed to the Lions' statistics - where they average 29 points and 147 passes per game - as reason to be cautious.
"They are not stats that you would usually put together for a South African side."
Lions skipper Warren Whiteley said the Crusaders kick "very well".
"When they kick it is smart and intelligent kicking," Whiteley said of a side that also has some dangerous outside backs.
"They also have a very good pack that will definitely challenge you at scrum time."
Mooar admitted the Crusaders may kick even more this week, because of the threats the Lions pose on attack.
"If a side is going to play a lot, we have to make them play in the wrong area of the field," Mooar said.
"You have to find a balance between a kicking game and a passing game. Both sides are probably trying to find that."
Recent results:
2015: Crusaders won 34-6, Christchurch
2014: Crusaders won 28-7, Johannesburg
2012: Crusaders won 23-13, Johannesburg
2010: Crusaders won 46-19, Christchurch
2009: Crusaders won 32-20, Johannesburg
2008: Crusaders won 31-6, Christchurch
Prediction: The Crusaders have won their last six matches against the Lions and they've conceded only 13 points combined in their last two matches against the South African side. The Lions have won only two matches against the Crusaders in their nine Super Rugby encounters - with the last of those wins in Round Three, 2007 though the other was a 55-23 demolition of Crusaders in their first ever encounter in 1996. The Lions have won six of their last seven home matches, their only loss in that period coming against the Brumbies in Round 14 last season. Opposition of the Lions have spent just 12 minutes and 35 seconds of time in possession on average this season, the lowest against any team in the competition. Nemani Nadolo has made 10 offloads so far this season for the Crusaders, no player in the competition has made more. It is such a tough gam to call - one where a moment of brilliance, a mistake, a refereeing call or a TMO decision could swing the outcome. The Lions do have home ground advantage and it make give them the edge in this encounter - but it will be by a one-score margin.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies/Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira/Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Sean Wainui.
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Johan Greeff
Compiled by Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
* Statistical information provided by Opta Sports