Super Rugby Aotearoa

The provincial bloodfeud, which dates back more than a century, has waned in recent years with the nine times champion Crusaders dominating almost all comers.

But with both sides unbeaten after their first three games of Super Rugby Aotearoa Saturday's match up has fans and players hoping for a new chapter in the storied conflict.

Carlos Spencer sparking a length of the field try to seal the win for the Blues over the Crusaders in 2004 before flipping the Canterbury crowd the bird, epitomising the intense rivalry between the two teams.

 Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made few changes to the side that secured a bonus-point win against the Highlanders last weekend.

Ethan Blackadder sustained a knee injury at training last week and was ruled out of the match in Dunedin. His replacements, Sione Havili and Tom Sanders, will rotate this week, with Sanders to start and Havili named on the bench. The rest of the forward pack is unchanged.

Carter who won three Super Rugby titles during his time with Christchurch based side hasn't been named in the Blues squad for the top of the table Super Rugby Aotearoa clash on Saturday night.

Carter signed with the Blues last month as injury cover but is yet to play for the side.

While the sight of him in a Blues jersey might have been hard for Crusaders fans to swallow his return to the field has been eagerly anticipated.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Highlanders assistant coach Riki Flutey confirmed that the resulting injury was a broken fibula, which is expected to keep the 25-year-old second rower out of action for at least four months.

Dickson’s absence from the Highlanders’ starting line-up is sure to be sorely felt, with the Australian-born prospect enjoying career-best form this season.

Forming a dynamic second row partnership with highly-rated young lock Pari Pari Parkinson, Dickson had impressed onlookers with his leadership at the lineout and solid ball-carrying ability.

In a top of the table clash this Saturday, the Crusaders host the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa in Christchurch, a match which will give many older fans flashbacks to the glory days of the Auckland-Canterbury rivalry.

Both sides are unbeaten after three games, and with no finals to take place, Saturday could go a long way towards deciding which team will lift the trophy later this year.

Hansen says there is a huge amount of respect for the Blues.

The 21-year-old No 8 has been a standout performer in Super Rugby this year, his rapid rise thrusting him into conversations

concerning the selection of the next New Zealand squad.

Sotutu is not only eligible for the All Blacks but also Fiji through his dad, former Blues and Auckland utility Waisake, and England through his mother.

The defending Super Rugby champions have scored four unanswered tries in the second-half, after trailing 17-14 at halftime.

Two of the tries came in the last five minutes to flatter the Crusaders who were pushed by the Highlanders in a typically tightly fought southern derby.

Young winger Will Jordan and flanker Tom Christie each scored twice for the Crusaders, while replacement back Sevu Reece also dotted down to give the visitors a bonus point.

Crusaders captain Codie Taylor has hailed their halftime team talk for their change in fortunes.

The new Blues recruit will make the most of the Blues' bye weekend to travel to Canterbury and turn out for his beloved Southbridge club on Saturday.

Carter will pull on the No. 10 jersey at Southbridge Domain against West Melton.

A club spokesperson confirmed Carter's availability for the game on Tuesday evening.

Carter last played for Southbridge in 2014.

His rugby return marks the first major step in his aim to be ready to take on his old team the Crusaders in Christchurch on July 11, in what would be his Blues debut.

In a statement following a report on 1 News, the Super Rugby club confirmed Spencer would leave the club immediately, as the 0-2 Hurricanes return to training on Tuesday for Sunday's match against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

"Due to the financial uncertainty created by Covid-19, we have agreed he will finish his contract early," the Hurricanes said.

"This means he will not be part of the Hurricanes coaching team for the remainder of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Tries to winger Will Jordan either side of halftime looked to have wrapped up the win for the defending champions, but the Chiefs closed the gap to just five with 10 minutes remaining to threaten an upset win.

Rain and chilly temperatures meant opportunities were few and far between, with the emphasis on defence as both teams weighted their kicks for territory.

The two sides exchanged penalties before the Crusaders struck just on the 35-minute mark.