Big game Friday night so time to do some analysis of the game.

Blues
On paper the Blues look good, perhaps even better than the Crusaders.  Unfortunately games aren't decided on paper.  The Blues are woefully out of form and their season is on a downward spiral.  The individual parts of their game are OK.  Lineouts are solid and scrum is going well. 

Their overall cohesiveness and game plan is what is letting them down right now.  Teams have found them out, in terms of stopping their quick supply of ball and thus forcing them into 50/50 passes which invariably go to ground under pressure.

Nacewa's knee should be 100% now he's had a game and a bye to heal.  Toeava is benched, perhaps due to injury and Tuitavake inserted at centre in what promises to be an all out attack for the Blues.  David Smith is brought onto the wing in another pointer to an attacking game for the Blues.

Crusaders
Crusaders are humming along nicely, albeit with a blip last week against the Chiefs.  However the Chiefs are finally firing and probably would've beaten any team playing that day on their home turf. 

They are solid upfront with experience and youth blended into that Crusader system that's renown for success. 
Their back division looks a little suspect, given Carter is unavailable and now Laulala has been withdrawn.  Maitland, Poki, Bateman and Ralph don't exactly instill fear but Macdonald and Brett even things up for them.

Crusaders are also at home and that will make it even tougher to come away with a win here.

Conclusion
A betting man wouldn't go past the Crusaders by at least 10+. 

But the heart tells me the Blues have oodles of talent that's just waiting to "click".  Is this game the game when things go click for the Blues? 

Crusaders:
15. Leon MacDonald 14. Kade Poki 13.Caleb Ralph  12. Tim Bateman 11. Sean Maitland  10. Stephen Brett 9. Andrew Ellis  8. Mose Tuiali'i 7. Richard McCaw (c) 6. Kieran Read  5. Ali Williams 4. Brad Thorn 3. Greg Somerville 2. Corey Flynn 1. Ben Franks
Reserves: 16. Ti'i Paulo 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ross Filipo 19. Nasi Manu 20. Kahn Fotuali'i 21. Hamish Gard 22. Scott Hamilton
Blues:
Isa Nacewa, David Smith, Anthony Tuitavake, Benson Stanley, Rudi Wulf, Nick Evans, Taniela Moa, Nick Williams, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.  Reserves: Nick White, Bronson Murray, Kurtis Haiu, Justin Collins, Danny Lee, Isaia Toeava, Ben Atiga.