The Crusaders entertain the Super 12-leading Brumbies on Sunday in what has been touted as the match-up of the season.

HEAD TO HEAD: Crusaders 3 Brumbies 4
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Brumbies 51-16 - Canberra

WALKING WOUNDED
The biggest concern for the Crusaders is flanker Scott Robertson, who continues to struggle with a calf strain. Fijian winger Marika Vunibaka is training strongly, but his 12-week suspension for punching during the World Sevens Series in January does not end until after Sunday. All Blacks fullback Ben Blair says he is back to full fitness after a knee injury and provides an interesting dilemma for coach Robbie Deans with Leon MacDonald playing extremely well.
A few niggles for the Brumbies. Backrower Peter Ryan could be out for three to four weeks after popping an AC joint in the early minutes of last Saturday's win over the Stormers in Cape Town. Captain and halfback Gregan suffered a foot strain and hooker Jeremy Paul a suspected broken finger.

FORM
The Crusaders are coming off the bye after winning their opening four games, while the Brumbies have gone one better and won their opening five games.

WHO'S HOT
Flanker Richard McCaw is having his first full tilt at Super 12 and is in simply outstanding form. He's doing an incredible amount of work on the ground and the Crusaders backline is reaping the benefits.
There are many stars for the Brumbies at the moment, but flanker George Smith was particularly impressive against the Stormers last week. He was up against one of the best in Stormers captain Corne Krige, but Smith stood tall and is fast approaching the form that saw him dominate last year's tournament. His battle with Richard McCaw this weekend will be a beauty.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Richard McCaw v George Smith
Andrew Mehrtens v Stephen Larkham
Justin Marshall v George Gregan

WE THINK
Not just match of the round, but match of the year so far ... what an incredible game this one promises to be. There's All Black and Wallaby talent all over the field and some of the one-on-one battles are classics. Both sides are undefeated and if there's one outfit in this competition that can match the Brumbies for patience it is the Crusaders. Last year's battle between the two was a one-sided affair in favour of the Brumbies, but this is a more clinical Crusaders line-up who are improving with every outing. Crusaders by 5.