Familiar look to Crusaders derby

There’s a sense of de´ja` vu about the all-Crusaders region clash between Canterbury and Tasman in Christchurch tonight.

At least that’s the case for Canterbury, who are in a similar spot to what they were in before playing Tasman in Blenheim a shade under a year ago.

On that occasion, with their backs firmly against the wall, and after their bus broke down on the way north, they hammered the Mako 29-0 to help avoid relegation, a result nobody saw coming.

``I suppose you could look at it that way. Yeah, it’s been an interesting old year again,’’ Canterbury cocoach Mark Brown said.

Now, Canterbury are 3-4 on the year after three straight defeats. While the prospect of relegation has been removed by NZR due to the removal of the three Auckland teams, this season feels like a carbon copy of 2020.

However, as was the case with two rounds to play last year, they’re still in the hunt for the semifinals, with games against Tasman and Bay of Plenty (also at home) remaining.

``The focus has just been about being ourselves, believing in ourselves, there is no other external motivation. The biggest thing for the coaching group and the players is we all believe in each other, and it’s about time we show that on the field,’’ Brown said.

Playoff picture

Hawke’s Bay have stitched up the top seed in the premiership courtesy of their 6-1 record and 31 competition points, but just who joins them in the semifinals remains up in air.

Just four points separate second-placed Wellington (23) and fifth-placed Canterbury (19), while Bay of Plenty are a further four points back in sixth.

Complicating the equation, teams will play a differing number of games due to canned games against Auckland sides.

Unbeaten Taranaki (33 points) have locked up the top-seed in the championship and will be joined by the Turbos, Otago, and Northland or Southland, in the semifinals.

Busy week

Bay of Plenty is set for a frantic finish to the regular season due to the postponement of last week’s game against Northland in the aftermath of Steamers utility Sean Wainui’s death.

They’ll play three games in the space of seven days, starting with their home match against Waikato in Tauranga on Saturday.

After clashing with Northland in Rotorua on Wednesday night, they’ll head to Christchurch to play Canterbury on Saturday week.

Bay of Plenty will just be pleased to get on the park, given they haven’t played a meaningful game since their 33-32 win against Wellington on October 2.