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Crusaders look to extend their lead against the Lions

Isa Nacewa of the Blues, left, scores a try despite a tackle by Jaco Pretorius of the Lions, right, during their Super 14 match at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Feb. 23. Blues coach David Nucifora is hoping Nacewa will be fit for their game against ACT Brumbies tomorrow. PHOTO: EPA

Canterbury Crusaders will field a largely second-string lineup against bottom team Golden Lions as they look to extend their six-point lead at the top of rugby union’s Super 14 series this weekend.

The six-time champions and the team to beat for this year’s southern hemisphere provincial crown are coming off a bye last weekend, but are expected to prove too strong for the Johannesburg-based Lions, who have won only one of their seven games this campaign.

Coach Robbie Deans has rested champion All Blacks openside flanker Richie McCaw, while fellow internationals, fullback Leon MacDonald (thigh) and fly-half Daniel Carter (ankle), are not available.

Coach Eugene Eloff insists his lowly Lions will not roll over for the unbeaten Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow.

Eloff was dismayed by a lack of commitment from some of his senior players in last week’s 29-20 loss to Otago Highlanders and has made seven changes.

Coastal Sharks, who were fortunate to escape with a 13-13 draw against the Hurricanes in Wellington last weekend, will be looking for maximum points against the Highlanders in Dunedin today.

The second-placed Sharks, the only other team unbeaten in this year’s tournament, have dropped winger J.P. Pietersen, last year’s leading tryscorer in the competition but yet to register a try more than halfway through this season.

Coach Dick Muir said he is concerned with the form of some of his World Cup Springboks and hopes with Pietersen’s demotion the rest of his players will get the message.

The Sharks are expected to be too strong for the Highlanders, but the home side will be buoyed by their breakthrough win of the season against the Lions last week.

Third-placed Auckland Blues will be looking for an improved showing after getting run over by the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney last week when they take on ninth-placed ACT Brumbies at home tomorrow.

The Blues have stumbled to three defeats and two narrow wins since clocking up 127 points in their three opening wins and coach David Nucifora is hoping Isa Nacewa can be passed fit to start at fullback to boost his team’s attack.

The Blues have won 13 of their last 14 matches at Eden Park and lead the Brumbies 9-5 in their meetings.

Fullback Mark Gerrard returns from a hamstring strain after missing the Brumbies’ last round loss to the Waikato Chiefs.

This weekend’s big Australian showdown is between fifth-placed Western Force and sixth-placed Waratahs in Perth, with rising youngster Kurtley Beale pitted against Wallabies’ star Matt Giteau.

In his second season of senior rugby, 19-year-old Beale looks to be second in line behind Giteau to claim the Wallabies No. 10 jersey vacated by retired stalwart Stephen Larkham.

Tomorrow’s match also marks the return of Force winger Haig Sare, who has completed an eight-week suspension for his part in a fight with teammate Matt Henjak, which led to his jaw being broken and Henjak being sacked.

Wellington Hurricanes launch their three-match South African tour against the defending champions Northern Bulls in Pretoria tomorrow.

The Hurricanes have a winning record at Loftus Versfeld, winning three of their five games there against the Bulls, who have struggled with just two wins out of eight games and are wallowing in second-last spot.

Western Stormers will resume their push for a semi-final place with the first of five consecutive home games against the Central Cheetahs in Cape Town tomorrow.
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