OPINION: If the Crusaders want to maintain their impressive home record over the Blues, Richie Mo'unga must once again show why he's been the talk of Super Rugby over the last few seasons.
Nearly two decades have passed since the Auckland franchise tasted victory in Christchurch, but the red-hot Blues travel south this weekend confident they can finally end that streak.
Their 25-0 drubbing of the Chiefs last weekend has given them plenty of deserved confidence, and Beauden Barrett led the way with easily his best performance in a blue jersey.
As he did for the All Blacks last year, Barrett is once again making a statement that, as it stands, he is the first-choice first-five in this country with the way he's steering the Blues ship.
And he's done it in limited minutes so far this season, as he battles back from lingering concussion issues, after a head knock against Ireland on the end-of-year tour. He was then sidelined after contracting COVID-19, before another nasty blow against the Highlanders saw him miss the Blues' next two games.
Regardless, Barrett has been firing on all cylinders, which is not quite the case down south, where Mo'unga has been short of his usual best through the first few rounds of Super Rugby.
Mo'unga has been electric over the past few seasons for the Crusaders and is a major factor in their unprecedented five-year title run.
But opponents have so far managed to keep the playmaker quiet, his ability to take over games unable to shine through in the usual way.
This is not to say it won't or that Mo'unga has played poorly. He hasn't at all. We saw glimpses of his magic in their narrow win over the Hurricanes, but with the red-hot Blues coming to town for a top-of-the-table clash, the Crusaders will want more.
When the Blues went to Christchruch a couple of years ago with their tails up, and made a fast start through Mark Telea and Rieko Ioane, Mo'unga eventually shut them out with a brilliant individual performance.
The 2022 version of the Blues is a significant upgrade and Mo'unga holds the key, if the Crusaders want to maintain their impressive home record.
He hasn't quite found his usual dominant form so far this season. Tonight's clash with the Blues would be the perfect time to discover it.
Ollie Ritchie is Newshub's Rugby reporter. Join us from 7pm Friday for live updates of Crusaders v Blues
