GAME OF THE WEEK CRUSADERS v CHIEFS

When: Friday July 5, 7.35pm (NZST)

Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Referee: Jonathon White (New Zealand)

Head-to-head: Played 21, Crusaders 14, Chiefs 7

In Christchurch: Played 6, Crusaders 5, Chiefs 1

Last meeting: Round 15, May 24, 2013: Chiefs beat the Crusaders 28-19 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

AS FAR as heavyweight Super Rugby rematches go, they don’t come much bigger than this.

The stakes are certainly high. A win for the Crusaders would go some way to cementing an unprecedented 12th consecutive playoffs appearance. Conversely, the Chiefs will all but guarantee top billing in the New Zealand conference if they can leave Christchurch with a victory.

The latter will certainly arrive in the Garden City with plenty of swag in their step. Not only are they in the midst of a six-game winning streak after knocking the Hurricanes off last Friday, but they also edged the Crusaders 28-19 in Hamilton a couple of weeks back with a performance built around defence of the committed variety and the ability to come home with a wet sail after absorbing pressure like a heavy-duty sponge.

Still, the Crusaders – who are coming off a clinical victory over the Highlanders – are a different kettle of fish when they play in front of their loyal band of followers. And with the likes of Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano and Kieran Read rested after starting last weekend on the bench, you know they will be ready to hook into their work.

There are match-ups aplenty across the park, but expect the breakdown tussle between Matt Todd and Sam Cane to be a pivotal one.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Telusa Veainu

Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Patrick Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Mike FitzGerald, Tanerau Latimer, August Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams

Pick: Crusaders 1-12