Super 12 a World Cup trial for Kiwis

NEW ZEALAND’S dominance of the Super 12 series is showcased this weekend with three out of four Kiwi teams in a semi-final line-up being billed as a trial for All Blacks World Cup places.

In the first semi-final in Christchurch today, the defending champions Canterbury Crusaders face the erratic Wellington Hurricanes, who are still without New Zealand superstar Jonah Lomu.

Tomorrow, the youthful Auckland Blues, top of the points table, meet Australia’s battered ACT Brumbies, who only just scraped into the last four under the leadership of Wallaby scrum-half George Gregan.