SupeRugby Qualifier 1 - Crusaders vs Reds

Richie McCaw makes his first appearance of the season in Saturday's Super Rugby qualifier between Crusaders and Reds. What could add extra spice to the tie is that the All Blacks skipper comes up against old foe Quade Cooper.

The fact that McCaw is back (i.e. on the bench) should not & will not detract from the match-up but does signal intent from the seven times champions. Rugby will undoubtedly relish when the referee's assistant lifts up the numbers 6 (George Whitelock) to be replaced by number 19 (Richie McCaw).

The Reds have an appalling record in Christchurch they run the risk of losing seven in a row this Saturday, the last time they defeated the Crusaders in New Zealand was 36-23 in 1999. Interestingly the Reds have beaten all four New Zealand sides they have played this season and will be the first Australian team to defeat all 5 New Zealand franchises in one campaign.

The Reds 2011 final victory was in Australia, and its much better reading, as their record at home versus the New Zealand outfit is impeccable winning 3 of the last 4, boy do they wish they had home ground advantage.

There's little love lost between the Quade Cooper and McCaw. The Wallaby shoved the Kiwi in the head after James O'Connor scored a match-winning try in the 2010 Bledisloe Test in Hong Kong. During the 2011 Tri-Nations decider the Australian kneed McCaw following a ruck but was later exonerated.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said of McCaw: "While he's mentally tough, he won't be physically fit to the level that's required. He's a quality player and he's Richie McCaw, of course, but at the end of the day we've still got to put this team first."

The match will have a Test feel to it with 13 All Blacks in the Crusaders line up against a Reds team containing 14 Wallabies.

The Reds will also be strengthened by the return of key Wallabies - scrumhalf Will Genia and lock James Horwill - who missed last week's 14-12 win over the Waratahs.

Prediction
Though both teams have been hot and cold this seasons the Saders are definitely the form side having won 5 in a row. That being said I don't think they'll run away with it but they'll win and by 5. I wouldn't be surprised if the full time score is 28-23.

Crusaders:
15  Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Luke Whitelock, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tyler Bleyendaal, 22 Adam Whitelock

Reds:
15 Ben Lucas, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Jono Lance, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Ed Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes

Substitutes: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Jono Owen, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Luke Morahan

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (@jcba)