VENUE & TIME: Christchurch - Saturday - 17:35 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Crusaders 4 Waratahs 2
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Waratahs 25-22

WALKING WOUNDED
Winger Marika Vunibaka (foot), centre Mark Robinson (ribs) and No.8 Sam Broomhall (shoulder) are all on the Crusaders injury list. Other niggles include flanker Matt Mustchin with a food poisoning bug; No.8 Scott Robertson, who missed the Hurricanes game, with a rib cartilage problem, and fullback Leon MacDonald has a leg problem.
Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer isn't mucking around with a host of changes. Manuel Edmonds comes in for five-eighth Duncan McRae while hooker Brendan Cannon makes way for Edmonds' brother Huia for his Super 12 starting debut. Jone Tawake will also make his starting debut at blindside flanker. Openside flanker Phil Waugh remains in doubt, while Tom Bowman joins Jono West as the starting locks, with Van Humphries on the bench. Francis Cullimore starts on the wing with Marc Stcherbina on the bench, while Patricio Noriega and Matt Dunning are the starting props. Prop Rod Moore has been ruled out with a hand injury.

FORM
The Crusaders weren't really troubled by Hurricanes with a 48-20 victory and can become this weekend the first side in the Super 12 to win all 11 preliminary games. The Blues remained undefeated in 1997, but they had one draw.
The poor old Waratahs just can't find a away to beat the Reds in the Super 12. But they managed to get a bonus point from the 31-24 and it will take a massive effort from the Reds against the Highlanders to snatch second spot.

WHO'S HOT
Justin Marshall his hitting some top form at the right time. Never one to miss an opportunity and is providing excellent service to flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens, who is also in exceptional form.
Sam Harris came in as a replacement for Nathan Grey against the Reds and had a great game. He is a big man, who is hard to stop at pace as shown by his two tries.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Aaron Mauger v Sam Harris
Justin Marshall v Chris Whittaker
Richard McCaw v Phil Waugh

WE THINK
While they haven't talked about it much, the opportunity to win all 11 games must really be an incentive for the Crusaders. A good victory in this game would give either side some significanct confidence going into the semi-finals, but Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer doesn't seem too worried with a host of changes. A bonus point in this one ensures the Waratahs win second spot, but there is a very slight chance they might slip to third. Crusaders by 10.