Former Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne is predicting his former side will face a tough challenge when they take on the Blues in a highly anticipated top of the table Super Rugby Aotearoa clash on Saturday night.
Both sides are unbeaten this season in what has been the most talked-about clash between the two sides for some time.
The Crusaders have won their last 11 games against the Blues, with their last defeat coming when Benji Marshall was on the bench for the Auckland side on February 28, 2014.
Patrick Tuipulotu and James Parsons are the only remaining Blues players that played in that 35-24 win in Auckland while Sam Whitelock is the lone Crusader remaining.
Speaking to Newshub, Thorne said it's good to see the Crusaders and Blues rivalry reignited.
"It's going to be exciting," he says. "Both teams are playing well, and the Blues have been in phenomenal form.
"They will be coming down full of confidence, and it's been a while since they beat the Crusaders, so they'll be desperate to turn that around."
If you want to remember the last time the Blues won in Christchurch, you have to reminisce back to 2004 when Thorne captained the team.
In that game, Carlos Spencer scored a late try and famously flipped the bird to the Jade Stadium crowd after slotting the ensuing sideline conversion in a 38-29 win.
"It was a typical Blues v Crusaders match which went down to the wire," Thorne recalls. "It was a typical display from Carlos where he had that touch and ability to break out from anywhere.
"They had lots of good players, and we had them under the pump, and they were able to turn that around. It is one of those games people will always remember."
However, Thorne reckons the Blues' wait for their first win in Christchurch in 16 years will go on, as he's predicting a narrow Crusaders win.
"I'm going to back the Crusaders. They haven't lost in Christchurch in a long time, but it is going to be tight.
"Their defence is going to have to be tight, they're going to have to be sharp and accurate.
"They will create opportunities, but the biggest challenge will be stopping the Blues' attacking players. It certainly won't be easy."
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Crusaders v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
