Goalkicking duel could decide outcome of super rematch at the Cake Tin

All that chanting and wonderful support for the Lions is resonating around my rugby senses. It’s time to transfer it to Super footy and the mega derby in the capital. Who gets the vocal headlines through the loud hailer — the Canes or the Red ’ n’ Blacks? Rugby followers outside those territories would say it’s a tossup between two evil empires while more detached observers will ask if the Crusaders can repeat their mid- tournament victory.

They’re on an unbeaten streak which is drawing comparisons to the 2002 season when they kept that going all the way to the final victory rostrum.

It’s a great run after a hesitant start to the season then a strong burst including a 20- 12 win at home against the Canes before the break for the June test window.

What that interval does to the New Zealand sides is about to be tested in this final round of pool matches.

This time the Crusaders have to travel to the Cake Tin to tangle with the defending champions as the draw for the quarter- finals unfolds.

We’ll leave those permutations to followers with more mathematical nous and have a stab at finding a winner in the capital.

The Canes have picked all their All Blacks who were involved in the deadlocked test series against the Lions.

The Barretts, the Saveas, Ngani Laumape and TJ Perenara are all being rolled out to seek a win which would avoid a trip to South Africa and send them into an opening playoff match against the Brumbies in Canberra. That selection makes sense with Beauden Barrett the only All Black who played across all three internationals.

The Crusaders have rested their test front row and will ease Sam Whitelock into action from the bench as a nod to the workload they have been through.

But they’ve still got some significant firepower up front where the foundation for a result will be sorted.

Five All Blacks in the pack, including national skipper Kieran Read, and another couple in the backs offers a spread of talent who will be approaching this match as an audition for starting places in the playoffs.

There’s also a test squad member Jack Goodhue who has been soaking up the coaching advice through June to put into practice tonight against Laumape and Vince Aso.

Unless there is an impasse like last weekend, one group will have to deal with successive defeats at the Cake Tin.

Beauden Barrett kicked some superb goals in the second test at the Cake Tin from the sideline and missed several in front in a seven from 10 success performance as the All Blacks were eventually pipped 24- 21 after Sonny Bill Williams was sent off.

The Hurricanes have ignored many penalty attempts this season in favour of shooting for tries but when they’ve gone for the posts Jordie Barrett has been the preferred marksman. That order will probably remain with the outcome of a BarrettRichie Mo’unga goalkicking duel a strong chance to decide this rematch.