Brumbies vs Crusaders -match preview

When: Sunday May 5, 4.05pm (AEST)
Where: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Head-to-head: Played 19, Crusaders 11, Brumbies 8
In Canberra: Played 9, Brumbies 6, Crusaders 3
Last meeting: Round 4, March 11, 2011: Crusaders beat the Brumbies 52-10 at Trafalgar Park, Nelson

THE TEAMS’ respective fortunes have changed significantly since they last faced off against one another two years ago.

Indeed, the Brumbies are sitting pretty at the top of the 2013 Super Rugby summit and are the favourites to have their name etched on the trophy when the competition curtain closes at the end of the season.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, have really struggled to get going this year. Don’t let their five-win, four-loss record deceive you – they have looked a shadow of the slick, well-oiled machine which took them to seven championship banners.

Last Sunday they struggled to put away a game Rebels side, coming off second best at the breakdown. A repeat performance there will be punished by George Smith, who will go toe-to-toe with Matt Todd.

Their attack also spluttered and struggled to create opportunities.

However, with Dan Carter back in the mix, they will be an entirely different beast.

The Brumbies predictably ran amok against the Force last Saturday, crossing for six tries.

Henry Speight bagged two of those and he and his fellow back three colleagues Jesse Mogg and Joe Tomane will be looking to cut some more capers.

However, they will need to be on high alert, because Tom Marshall and Zac Guildford are no slouches and can punish teams if given half a sniff.

Brumbies: TBA

Crusaders: Tom Taylor, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Adam Whitelock, Israel Dagg

by Lee Stace