VENUE & TIME: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Saturday May 10, 19.30 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13 – Reds 3, Crusaders 10
LAST TIME: February 10, 2007 (Christchurch) – Crusaders 33-22 Reds
WALKING WOUNDED: The Reds will be boosted by the early return of incumbent Wallaby fullback Chris Latham from a knee injury but will once again be without backrower John Roe who has succumbed to a shoulder injury. Back-up scrumhalf Will Genia was named in the original 22 but was forced to withdraw on Wednesday with persistent ankle soreness. Crusaders flyhalf Daniel Carter makes his long-awaited return from an ankle sprain suffered against the Hurricanes in week seven and will start from the bench.
FORM: The Reds are out of the race for the semi-finals in 11th spot having managed three wins and a draw this campaign - but their recent form has been very respectable. Following their convincing upset victory over the Force in round 10, the Reds posted a competitive performance against semi-final contenders the Chiefs, and led the Blues late before going down 35-22 last start. The Crusaders have recaptured their winning ways since suffering their first loss of the campaign to the Chiefs with narrow wins over the Blues and Sharks, but have not quite been at their best since the loss of Carter. Fortunately for Robbie Deans' men, they have a 10-point buffer at the top of the standings and have already booked a home semi-final with two rounds remaining.
WHO'S HOT: Crusaders scrumhalf Andrew Ellis was brilliant in difficult conditions against the Sharks last week. But in a sign of their tremendous depth and ideal position on the ladder, the 24-year-old will start from the bench this week as Deans looks to freshen up his strike weapons ahead of the post-season.
WE THINK: The Crusaders won't want to limp into the post season on the back of one or two losses, so we expect them to continue their winning ways against a young Reds side on the way up. Chris Latham's return is sure to provide an emotional spark for the hosts but the Crusaders should be able pull away late in the second half. Crusaders by 14.
TEAMS:
Reds: 1. Ben Coutts, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Dayna Edwards, 4. Van Humphries, 5. James Horwill (c), 6. Poutasi Luafutu, 7. David Croft, 8. Leroy Houston, 9. Ben Lucas, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Peter Hynes, 12. Berrick Barnes, 13. Morgan Turinui, 14. Clinton Schifcofske, 15. Chris Latham.
Reserves: 16. Sean Hardman, 17. Ben Daley, 18. Ed O'Donoghue, 19. Scott Higginbotham, 20. Digby Ioane, 21. Brando Va'aulu, 22. Charlie Fetoai.
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 3. Greg Somerville, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Ross Filipo, 6. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw, 8. Mose Tuiali'i, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Stephen Brett, 11. Sean Maitland, 12. Tim Bateman, 13. Casey Laulala, 14. Kade Poki, 15. Leon MacDonald.
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Ali Williams, 19. George Whitelock, 20. Andrew Ellis, 21. Daniel Carter, 22. Caleb Ralph.