If the most successful team in the history of Super Rugby are to qualify for an unprecedented ninth final they're first going to have to get past the rampaging Northern Bulls.
And they're going to have to do it in front of a vocal 50,000 fanatical Bulls fans at Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls have built up a good head of steam in recent weeks, culminating in their 14-try romp of the Queensland Reds last weekend. The final score was 92-3 in favor of the home side.
The Crusaders are coming off a defeat to the Waikato Chiefs. And to make matters worse for the men from New Zealand is the news this week of allegations a number of their players were involved in a street brawl in Christchurch last weekend.
The good news is that mercurial flyhalf Daniel Carter is back in the starting XV after missing last weekend's match with a neck injury.
Coach Robbie Deans has been able to select his strongest outfit, something which Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer may not be able to do when kickoff time arrives.
His star scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is nursing a shoulder injury and may not be fit in time for the action.
"We're going to give him as much time as is needed to recover" said Meyer this week. Du Preez is believed to be using a special shoulder pad, imported from the US, to aid his recovery.
All-conquering pack
Even if Du Preez is unable to play, the Bulls have a more than capable replacement in Heini Adams. More concerning for the Crusaders though will be halting their all-conquering pack.
Deans' men have been vulnerable at scrum-time this year and their lineout hasn't been as dominant as their coach would have liked.
They may struggle against a Bulls team which hardly ever moves back in the scrum, and which almost always wins their lineout ball, thanks to the prowess of captain Victor Matfield.
Victory for the Bulls would see them to their first Super rugby final, while the Crusaders will be desperate to make up for losing out on a home semi-final as they seek to qualify for a ninth final showdown.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely