Big Sam Back

Sam Whitelock will know not to swing his meaty forearms too loosely when the Crusaders attempt to snap a three-year losing streak to the Chiefs in Suva on Friday night.

Lock Whitelock, reinstated as Crusaders captain after he was suspended for clobbering a Cheetahs player on March 30, knows discipline will be paramount for this upcoming Super Rugby fixture in Fiji. In a way it is a shame this game has been carted to offshore by the Chiefs, who are tipped to make more money from the Suva venture than by playing at Waikato Stadium, because Kiwis from all points of the country would have loved to watch these rivals fly at each other in the flesh.

Yes, things could get heated in Suva. Not surprisingly, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson will demand his men show some spine and refuse to be intimidated.

It can be a tricky business, though. The last thing anyone should do is shuffle backwards and turn the other cheek if the intimidation game starts to take a grip.

The Chiefs, more than any other team, have the ability to really get under the Crusaders skins. And the results have been impressive; the last time the Crusaders beat them was in 2014, an 18-17 win thanks to Colin Slade booting six penalties at Waikato Stadium 37 months ago.

“It is a really good point around our discipline and making sure that we execute and we are tough, without crossing that line,” Robertson said.

“We have got a good ref, Mike Fraser, who can read situations … If it crosses that line he will deal with it. So we are happy with his ability to back his instincts.” The mate-against-mate adage used by the leaguies in State of Origin no doubt has something to do with the fiery contests between the two sides, a point reinforced by Robertson.

“For us, we know so many players,” he said. “There are a lot good mates and that adds to it. There will definitely be a fine line with the intensity of it, and, you know, the Chiefs like to live on that line.” Openside flanker Matt Todd, who left the field last weekend because of concussion, will be monitored to ensure he is fully recovered and he has shown no ill-effects from the head knock.

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richard Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele. Stuff