Vengeance will be on the cards as the 2017 Crusaders look to avenge their predecessors when they take on the 2003 Blues in Game 15 of the Greatest Super Rugby Team tournament.
Game 15 of the interactive tournament pits two giants of New Zealand rugby against each other.
The 2003 Blues won their first title in six years with a tense four-point victory over the Crusaders at Eden Park.
Previously champions in 1996 and ’97, the Blues dominated the 2003 season, losing just one game (against the Highlanders) and finishing top of the table.
Their dominance was built on the playmaking ability of flyhalf Carlos Spencer, who finished the 2003 season as top-scorer with 143 points, while wing/fullback Doug Howlett was the top try-scorer with 12 that season.
MAKE YOUR PREDICTION BELOW!
The 2017 Crusaders, meanwhile, claimed the title despite finishing second on the overall table, behind the Lions, who they beat in the final.
This team also lost just one match, to the Hurricanes, and beat the Hurricanes and Chiefs on their way to the final in Johannesburg.
The 2017 Crusaders had threats around the park, including a deadly centre pairing of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue, halfbacks Richie Mo’unga and Bryn Hall, and a pack boasting All Blacks in Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, Scott Barrett and an all-New Zealand front row.
SA Rugby magazine’s tournament to crown the Greatest Super Rugby team of all time relies on your votes to decide the outcome of each match-up – don’t forget to vote below.
2003 Blues – 15 Doug Howlett, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 David Gibson, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Justin Collins, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Angus Macdonald, 3 Kees Meeuws, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Deacon Manu.
Subs: 16 Lee Stensness, 17 Orene Ai’i, 18 Craig McGrath, 19 Mose Tuiaili’i, 20 Brad Mika, 21 Tony Woodcock, 22 Derren Witcombe.
2017 Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge.
