SUPER 14-PREVIEW-FINAL:

Saturday's finale to the inaugural Rebel Sport Super 14 has all the hallmarks of a classic final with the home town defending champions, the Crusaders, facing a rejuvenated Hurricanes side playing in its first final.

Dealing to the Bulls, the Crusaders were at their clinical best and are a classic example of peaking at the right time. Their win over the Brumbies a week earlier had more lessons than last weekend's semifinal. The ability to absorb all the pressure the Brumbies could mount for 70 minutes and then unleash some superb action in the last 10 minutes said it all. The Hurricanes have been through some demanding build-up as well with games against the Waratahs on successive weekends. They were two different matches but which demonstrated the qualities they have developed this year. Now it is a case of marrying those two defensive and attacking styles to provide the sort of challenge needed to win the final.

Favouritism must rest with the Crusaders, for their special abilities at this level alone. They have completed an outstanding campaign with their only areas of concern being in the front row and at halfback where Ellis' loss will be felt. The extra time he provided for Carter could be missing in the final. The Hurricanes have strength in those specific departments but it is in the elimination of mistakes and indiscipline, areas that they have handled well this year, in the crunch situation of a final that will determine their fate.
PREDICTION: Crusaders by 5+.