Super Rugby preview round 11: will the Crusaders win at their new stadium?

The day has finally come.

After 14 seasons at the temporary stadium in Addington, the Crusaders move into their new $683 million home in the heart of Christchurch.

It will host ten teams and five games over three days as part of Super Rugby’s Super Round.

So can the Crusaders finally beat an Australian team this season?

Will the Hurricanes bounce back against one of their bogey teams?

Can the Blues stop leaking so many points in the battle of the colours?

Are the Highlanders still a chance of reaching the playoffs?

And will the Chiefs make it a clean-sweep for Kiwi teams in the final game of the weekend?

Let’s take a closer look at the five games on offer under the roof at Te Kaha.

CRUSADERS v WARATAHS, Friday 7.35pm

This is a must-win match for the Crusaders if they’re serious about defending their Super Rugby title.

They’re yet to beat an Australian team this season after losing to the Force and Reds in the previous two weeks across the Tasman, as well as being embarrassed by the Brumbies at their old stadium in round two.

Will Jordan’s still not there but they do welcome back captain David Havili and hooker Codie Taylor for the game that won’t feature the pre-match horses for the first time in the franchise’s 30 year history.

Leicester Fainga’anuku will wear the seven jersey made famous by Richie McCaw for the first time in his career as he tries to establish himself as a hybrid player who can play in the loose-forwards as well as the outside backs.

The red ‘n blacks need to stand-up and show the sold-out crowd of 25-thousand that Te Kaha will become their new fortress.

By the way, if you’re like me and can’t afford Sky Sport, they’re offering this game for free.

Prediction: Crusaders by 18

HURRICANES v BRUMBIES, Saturday 5.05pm

The Hurricanes don’t like playing the Brumbies.

The men from Canberra have won six of their last eight games against the Canes, including their last meeting in the playoffs last year.

But Clark Laidlaw’s team have won their past four matches against the Brumbies in New Zealand, scoring 40 points per game in that span.

Co-captain DuPlessis Kirifi plays his 100th Super Rugby game for the Hurricanes in strong loose-forward trio with Devan Flanders at six, Brayden Iose at eight, and Peter Lakai on the bench.

The Canes will still be stinging after giving up a handy halftime lead in a golden point loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.

The Brumbies meanwhile are on a four-game winning streak against New Zealand opposition , and if they can beat the Hurricanes, it’ll be just the second time in their history that they’ve completed a Kiwi clean-sweep in a season.

Prediction: Canes by 10

BLUES v REDS, Saturday 7.35pm

If you like points, then you’ll be loving the Blues this season.

Either them or their opposition have scored 35-plus points in their past five outings, including their last game against the Highlanders at Eden Park which ended in a 47-40 win.

That game didn’t finish well for the Blues though with All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett making several mistakes that he won’t want to repeat against a Reds team who should be fresh after a bye, and full of confidence from beating the Crusaders the week before.

Anton Segner is making a big push for higher honours, starting on the blindside flank and looking for a fourth Man of the Match performance in a row.

Queensland have a loose-forward trio to match that of Segner, Daton Papali’i, and Hoskins Sotutu with Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, and Joe Brial among the best in Australia.

The Reds beat the Blues in round 11 last year and will be aiming for consecutive wins against them for the first time since April 2013.

Prediction: Blues by 5

HIGHLANDERS v MOANA PASIFIKA, Sunday 2pm

I don’t know which team I feel more sorry for.

Moana Pasifika won’t exist beyond this season while the Highlanders seem to be plagued by injuries every single season.

The Southern Men welcome back one of their most influential players for this game though with fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens returning early from an ankle injury he suffered in the 20-point win over Moana a month ago.

Pumas lock Tomas Lavanini is also a welcome addition to the forward pack.

The Landers don’t have All Black-in-waiting Caleb Tangitau though after he was brutally knocked out in the loss to the Blues last weekend.

They should still have enough firepower to beat Moana who still only have one win this season in round one against the Drua.

Prediction: Landers by 20

CHIEFS v FIJIAN DRUA, Sunday 4.30pm

After starting at centre in the win over the Canes, Quinn Tupaea returns to the 12 jersey for the Chiefs and is looking like the runaway winner of the Super Rugby Player of the Year.

He’ll be playing outside of Damian McKenzie who got the better of Ruben Love last week, and at this stage, looks to be the front-runner for the All Blacks number ten jersey.

Isaac Hutchinson makes his Super Rugby debut at fullback and the 22 year-old will be feeling right at home having been schooled at Saint Bede’s College in Christchurch and playing his NPC rugby for Canterbury.

After three defeats, the Drua finally got their first win over the Chiefs last year, winning 28-24 in Fiji, but Christchurch is a long way from home and they might struggle to back that up.

Prediction: Chiefs by 25