How the Chiefs and Crusaders match up for Super Rugby Pacific blockbuster

Super Rugby Pacific: Chiefs v Crusaders. Where: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. When: 7.src5pm, Saturday, April 29. Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff from 6.45pm.

ANALYSIS: It has all the makings of the game of the season so far.

In a competition where the Kiwi derbies are so coveted, this one between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday night shapes as an absolute doozy.

With the Chiefs leading the way in 2src23, sitting top of the table, with a perfect 8-src record, they face the six-time defending champions, who haven’t been in vintage form, yet have now stitched together five wins in a row.

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With plenty of frontline All Blacks on display, as well as a few loudly knocking on Ian Foster’s door in World Cup year, it makes for a fascinating round-1src Super Rugby Pacific contest at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Here’s how the two sides match up across the park for this latest chapter of their storied rivalry.

FRONT ROW

Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer

Crusaders: Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams

Four All Blacks in this sextet, and two young bucks at tighthead who have real potential to feature at the top level in the future. Both teams have enjoyed solidity at scrum time (the Crusaders’ top and the Chiefs’ second for winning their own feeds) and this tight battle swings squarely on Taukei’aho. The hulking Chiefs hooker has rapidly risen to world-class performer and his powerful carry work is absolute gold to get his side front-foot ball. No forward in the competition has beaten more defenders (26) than he has this season.

Verdict: CHIEFS

LOCKS

Chiefs: Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i

Crusaders: Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock

Another very tight-to-call contest, in what should be a fascinating battle between two pairs of All Blacks second-rowers. Retallick has been his typically strong, workhorse self, hitting ruck after ruck, while Vaa’i has made a nuisance of himself at lineout time, second-equal-highest for steals (five). Crusaders captain Barrett has been big with ball in hand, while, after returning from a broken hand last week, White