TheSportsCampus

This weekend the only thing standing in the way of the Queensland Reds maiden Super Rugby title is 80 minutes of tough uncompromising Rugby against a Crusaders outfit who have taken each challenge thrown at them in 2011 in their stride.

A record Super Rugby crowd of 52,000 is expected to turn out at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night after the Final sold out in just 45 minutes when tickets went on sale on Wednesday morning.

Both teams topped their countries conference tables but it was the Crusaders who have had to turn out in both weeks of the Super Rugby Finals Series after finishing third overall.

After defeating the Sharks in Nelson in the first week of the Super Rugby Finals the Crusaders travelled to Cape Town where they dispatched the Stormers to enter their 10^th Super Rugby Final since 1996.

The Reds on the other hand finished first in the Australian Conference and the overall Super Rugby competition earning them a week’s rest before facing off against the Blues last weekend - who they defeated in scintillating fashion 30-13.

This weekend’s final will be the Reds first and the Crusaders 10th, and if weight of numbers is an indication of who should be considered the favourite then the Crusader’s seven Super Rugby titles is a convincing argument.

While the Crusader’s previous success is impressive the Red’s won’t be distracted or overwhelmed when it comes to Saturday night and their aim of becoming just the second Australian team to claim the Super Rugby title.

Reds v Crusaders Head To Head:

Played: 17, Crusaders 12, Reds 5

In Brisbane: Played 10, Reds 4, Crusaders 6

Tries scored: Crusaders 60, Reds 41

Points scored: Crusaders 505, Reds 401

Aggregate score line: Crusaders 30 – 24 Reds

You can catch all the 2011 Super Rugby Final action on:

Thursday 7 July:

The Rugby Club:

Ø  LIVE on FOX Sports 1HD & 1, 20:30 AET.

 The Code:

Ø  LIVE on FOX Sports 1HD & 1, 21:30 AET.

Saturday 9 July:

 Super Rugby Pre-Game Show:

Ø  LIVE on  FOX Sports 3HD & 3 from 18:30 AET.

FINAL –  Reds vs Crusaders, Kick-off 19:40 AET, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane:

Ø  LIVE on  FOX Sports 3HD & 3 from 19:30 AET.

Ø  LIVE on 104.5 MMM Brisbane and streamed online via www.triplem.com.au/brisbane from 19:30 AET.

Ø  LIVE on 612 ABC Brisbane and across Queensland on ABC local radio from 19:10 AET.

Ø  LIVE on ABC Grandstand Digital NSW and streamed online via www.abc.net.au from 19:10.

Super Rugby Post-Game Show:

Ø  LIVE on  FOX Sports 3HD & 3 from 21:30 AET.

Sunday 10 July:

The Ruck - Triple-M’s One Hour dedicated Rugby show:

Ø  LIVE Triple-M Sydney 104.9, Triple-M Brisbane 104.5 & MIX Canberra, 09:00 AET.

Ø  Podcasts available for Triple-M Melbourne and Mix Perth via www.triplem.com.au later in the day.