Event of the Day: Crusaders v Chiefs

Our event of the day...

is the Super Rugby semi-final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch. The teams have met once this season when they played in Suva, Fiji in around 13, with the Crusaders prevailing 31-24. The two teams have met before now in Super Rugby semi-finals with the Chiefs winning the clashes in both 2012 and 2013.

The Crusaders stick to their winning line-up from their quarter-final with the Highlanders from last week - they have 10 All Blacks in the starting fifteen. The Chiefs make two changes to the side that beat the Stormers in Cape Town - Charles Ngatai returns from an ankle injury and Samoan Tim Nanai-Williams comes in on the right wing. The key man for Crusaders has to be All Black Captain and Number 8 Kieran Reid - his experience will be vital on such a big occasion.

For the Chiefs, All Black Brodie Retallick - widely regarded as the world's best second row player will no doubt put in a huge performance in the Chiefs engine room. This will be a thrilling game with a place in the Super Rugby final on the line.

 

Honourable mentions...

around the globe go to the Challenge Cup semi-final clash between Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos at the Keepmoat Stadium. It is day 3 of the third test match at the Oval between England and South Africa - England are on top after finishing on 353 all out and restricting South Africa to 136 runs for the loss of 8 wickets at the close. In boxing there is a big super-lightweight showdown between Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia. There are five AFL matches going on with Port Adelaide against St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval the pick of the games. In the NRL, there are 3 games going on, with the clash between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys the best of the action. It is the semi-finals of the German Tennis Championships in Hamburg. The second Super Rugby semi-final takes place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg between the Lions and the Hurricanes.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by Crusaders; Chiefs

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