Animosity between World Cup All Blacks and Wallabies, simmering since November, could spice up the Super 12 rugby match between the Canterbury Crusaders and ACT Brumbies at Christchurch tomorrow.
Brumbies captain and Wallaby halfback George Gregan had the final say in New Zealand's Cup campaign when, as the final whistle blew on Autralia's 22-10 semifinal win, he leaned over a collapsed maul and said: "Four more years boys, four more years."
That send-off, reminding the New Zealanders that this was their fourth World Cup without success, has rankled the All Blacks.
There are other issues from the semifinal at Sydney which might re-emerge tomorrow as the Crusaders, fielding a dozen internationals, attempt to sustain a midseason revival.
Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall was knocked out of the semifinal and the World Cup by the high and late tackle of Wallaby and Brumbies flanker George Smith.
He said on television recently he was still angry with Smith over the tackle and expected to retain a grudge for some time.
The Crusaders made a stumbling start to their season but have won their last three matches, notably since former All Blacks flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens joined the starting XV.
Their 46-29 win last week over the Otago Highlanders was their best to date but they will use Saturday's match against the Brumbies as a measure of their improvement. The Brumbies and Crusaders have had an intense rivalry in recent years, perhaps increased because their playing styles are similar and they have common international components in their makeup.
"Over the years, we've had some very interesting contests back to the round robin game in 2002 where they beat us by a point and going back to the final of 2000 in Canberra where they beat us by a point," said Brumbies prop Bill Young.
He said the Crusaders' slow start to the season was typical of the four-time champions.
"They lost three of their first four games when they won the competition in 1998," he said. "They warm into it, I know that every time we come up against them they are certainly in form."
A bout of the flu has swept through the Crusaders' camp this week and props Greg Somerville and Chris King have leg injuries but coach Robbie Deans was expected to be able to name of a team of close to full strength.
Brumbies coach David Nucifora has injury concerns surrounding flanker Owen Finnegan and flyhalf Matt Guiteau and may delay naming his team until Friday.
In other matches in New Zealand this weekend, the Otago Highlanders meet the Waikato Chiefs at Dunedin, the Wellington Hurricanes play the Queensland Reds at Wellington and the Auckland Blues play the New South Waratahs at Auckland.
In South Africa on Saturday, the sixth-placed Sharks meet the winless Cats on their home ground at Durban.
All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer is expected to return to the Blues for the match against the Waratahs, a month after breaking his jaw. Coach Peter Sloane described the playmaker's return as "a massive shot in the arm."
All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko will play in place of Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, and Derren Whitcombe is expected to replace hooker Keven Mealamu.
The Waratahs will be without flanker and captain Phil Waugh, who has a pinched nerve in the right shoulder and whose place has been taken by Lei Tomiki.
Matt Burke has been named in place of Ben Jacobs at center and Shaun Berne at flyhalf in place of Tim Donnelly.
Captain Tana Umaga is expected to return at center for the Wellington Hurricanes who face a vital match against Queensland on Saturday. Umaga has been sidelined by knee and hamstring injuries.
His replacement as captain, All Blacks No.8 Jerry Collins, said the Hurricanes must win Saturday to save their campaign. They have only two wins from six matches and lie three places off the bottom of the championship table.
Friday's match between the Highlanders and Chiefs brings together teams separated by only two points after six rounds of matches.
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