Crusaders face Blues in ‘super’ heavyweight clash

Seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders open their 2013 Super 15 campaign today against bitter rivals Auckland Blues while South Africa stages a potentially torrid heavyweight clash.

Blues coach John Kirwan, whose squad includes a large number of newcomers to Super Rugby, surprised the Wellington Hurricanes last week, but was under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side against the Crusaders.

"As games go, this is just under a test match. Blues versus Crusaders is the game of the season so you've got to be ready for it because it should be," Kirwan said, comparing the match to a Milan soccer derby.

Kirwan, tasked with rebuilding the Blues, has kept the same line-up that performed impressively against the Hurricanes, which means only four All Blacks will take the field.

In contrast, the Crusaders have 10 All Blacks, including seven forwards, inside backs Andy Ellis and Dan Carter directing play and All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg, who will start on the wing, indicating a desire to play wide.

The Coastal Sharks and Western Stormers will both be looking for vastly improved performances when they clash at King's Park in Durban tomorrow for the first time since the Sharks snatched victory in last year's nail-biting semi-final.

The Sharks were pushed hard by the Cheetahs last week and have had plenty to work on, particularly protecting the ball at the breakdown.