-
Victor Matfield - Source: Photosport -
Related
It's tempting to think that the Crusaders' Super 14 semi-final hopes are done and dusted.
Following a weekend where all of the home sides prevailed, except of course for the hapless Lions, the Crusaders now face the mother of all away fixtures to keep their season alive.
The blue sea of Loftus Versfeld, home of the champion Bulls, is a fortress so daunting that only one result has played out over the past two year and a bit years.
In a 17-match unbeaten home streak, dating all the way back to April 13, 2008, the high-veldt of Pretoria has been nigh on impenetrable.
Over this time the Bulls have an average winning margin of just under 16 points, while on 11 occasions they have posted over 30 points.
The last time the Crusaders visited Loftus they were dropkicked out of last year's semi-finals by Morne Styen's irritating right boot, and while his showdown with Daniel Carter looms as a key-match up, the Crusaders are well aware that it is up front where this battle will be won.
In the Crusaders' last two defeats, to the Force and Stormers respectively, their lineout has been shambolic, and against Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha it certainly doesn't get any easier.
Indeed the twin towers of fort Loftus, righty respected as the world's most formidable second row, will be out to terrorise the Crusaders' set-piece.
The infamous code cracking of Matfield, where he bides his time analysing subtle calls and movements, has often left New Zealand's team none the wiser as he poaches the pill with patronising ease.
Corey Flynn's imminent return home because of a sprained ankle only puts the acid further on the struggling unit and with Ti'i Paulo now due to start, assistant coach Mark Hammet, a former hooker himself, concedes that some extra work will be put into this area this week.
"I suppose the odd demon comes into the hooker's head and we may have a couple of pre-calls this week to get those first couple out of the road," Hammett says.
"We have great lineout forwards in Chris Jack, Brad Thorn and Kieran Read so there are plenty of options there.
"We just need to get everything working together. We are pretty sure we have got some pretty good options up our sleeve this week against Matfield and Botha."
