Chiefs vs Crusaders preview:

Both of these teams won their opening games and will look at this game as a major one in their season. The chiefs did face better opposition than the Crusaders in their first game but that doesn’t count for anything now. I believe that this is going to be the game of the week and that it would be a pleasure to watch. Both teams will look to get quick ball to their very dangerous backlines and try to break thru the defense. They don’t have the best forward packs and it will be more difficult to play against a forward dominated team. Look to see great running rugby and allot of tries being scored.

Key mach ups:

Anton Lienert-Brown vs Jack Goodhue: This is a great mach up two of the worlds best. Anton was New-Zealand’s best center at the world cup and he will look to just keep that form going. He is up against another great center and probably the person that will line up next to him in the All Black jersey.

Aaron Cruden vs David Havili: When I read the team sheets I was surprised not to see Havili at 15 then when I read further I saw his name at 10. I don’t know how he will play at 10 and it would be very interesting top see him play. He is up against my player of the first round and Aaron will show that he is still a force to reckon with by showing the young layer how it is done.

Teams:

Chiefs:

Starting XV: 1 Aiden Ross, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Atunaisa Moli, 4 Tyler Ardron, 5 Mitchell Brown, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 7 Mitch Karpik, 8 Sam Cane, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Aaron Cruden, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Anton Lienard-Brown, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Sean Wainui, 15 Damian McKenzie.

Bench: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Oliver Norris, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Pita Sowakula, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Alex Nankivell.

Crusaders:

Starting XV: 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Oli Jager, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 6 Tom Sanders, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Whetu Douglas, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 10 David Havili, 11 Goerge Bridge, 12 Jack Goodhue, 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Will Jordan.

Bench: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Goerge Bower, 18 Michael Alaatatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku.

My Prediction: I Believe that the Crusaders team is going to overpower the Chiefs and they have a better backline. The Chiefs is going to perform well the first half and maybe will take a lead into halftime, but the Crusaders is going to come away with the win.