Rebels v Crusaders
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BNZ Crusaders team to play the Rebels
The BNZ Crusaders head to Melbourne today to take on the Rebels this Saturday night. Head Coach Scott Robertson has made ten changes to the starting fifteen that beat the Chiefs last weekend.
Last week's bench front row of Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell and Mike Alaalatoa becomes the starting front row for Saturday night. Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody and Oli Jager will provide cover.
Lock Quinten Strange will make his first start of the season, pairing up with Sam Whitelock. Luke Romano takes a spot on the bench.
The loose forward trio will be Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pete Samu and Jordan Taufua, with Jed Brown having recovered from injury to take a place in the reserves.
Israel Dagg will also return from injury to take the wing this week, with Manasa Mataele on the opposite wing. Tim Bateman steps into the second five spot and Seta Tamanivalu will make his start at centre.
Kick off for Rebels vs BNZ Crusaders is at 9:35pm NZT (7:35pm local time) on Saturday night.
BNZ Crusaders team to play the Rebels:
1 Wyatt Crockett
2 Ben Funnell
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Quinten Strange
5 Sam Whitelock (C)
6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
7 Pete Samu
8 Jordan Taufua
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 Manasa Mataele
12 Tim Bateman
13 Seta Tamanivalu
14 Israel Dagg
15 David HaviliRESERVES
16 Andrew Makalio
17 Joe Moody
18 Oli Jager
19 Luke Romano
20 Jed Brown
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 George Bridge -
It looks like Codie Talyor, Owen Franks and Jack Goodhue are being rested. I haven't read/heard anything about them being injured.
I assume it was also time to give Romano a bit of a breather, but they can't give him a proper rest due to the injury to Barrett.
Todd and Crotty presumably not yet recovered from their concussions, unless the coaches just take the opportunity to give them an extra week off before their clash with the Highlanders.Good to see the return of Israel Dagg; Jed Brown is also out of the injury ward.
Is this the first time this season that Tamanivalu plays at centre?
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@Stargazer said in Rebels v Crusaders:
Good to see the return of Israel Dagg; Jed Brown is also out of the injury ward.
Watched Jed Brown play club rugby last weekend, looked good despite the rest of his team playing like retards and losing 36-0.
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@akan004 The backline still looks pretty damn good though. There are no better options for the loosies with both Todd and Read (and Barrett) out. Strange was very good last week for a rookie and if he isn't good on Saturday, then Romano is still on the bench. The front row is usually the replacement front row, so they're used to each other.
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@akan004 said in Rebels v Crusaders:
Ten changes is a tad risky. What should have been a certain five points could now be a loss if the new combos don't click.
It seems like a ballsy call by the coaches, but they've got most things right so far, so I'm going to have some trust.
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@Chris-B A while ago I said Franks would get a rest for this one. Good call I reckon.
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@ACT-Crusader Yeah, I recall that prediction about Franks - that one doesn't surprise me at all. Nor Taylor, for that matter. I suspect Hansen will sleep a little better this weekend knowing Owen is safely wrapped in cotton wool - I think he'd be very high on the list of people we can't afford to lose - I'd have him top of the list alongside Retallick. Wouldn't even surprise me if he has a little word to Razor along the lines of, "You know how we said you can have your AB's vs the Lions, well you can, but we'd prefer if you rested Owen for that game".
Jack Goodhue being rested is the one that surprises me - especially with Crotty unavailable. I would at least have had Jack on the bench - perhaps even with a plan of not using him unless we were in trouble. Our midfield will be a bit lightweight is Seta gets hurt early.
In other news, I see Quentin Strange has been withdrawn from the Barbarians team due to Super rugby commitments, which suggests we're not getting Scott Barrett back next week. On the other hand, Mitchell Dunshea has been added to the Barbarians - is he returning from injury or just not being considered? If he's fit then it's odd that Vern Fredericks played last week.
I think he got a few minutes in one game earlier this season didn't he? Completely unsighted has been Sione Fifita - if he's not injured then he'll be sweating on his contract. As might Dunshea, Tim Perry, Leon Fukofuka, Marty McKenzie, Sean Wainui and, maybe, Jone Macilai (though I know he is injured).
I have a sneaking suspicion that Razor might be a bit more ruthless than Toddy in wielding the axe.
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@Chris-B. said in Rebels v Crusaders:
@akan004 I just had a look at the TAB odds and the Crusaders are paying $1.05, while the Rebs are paying $8.50!!!
Wow, those odds are crazy. If you are into betting, it wouldn't be a bad bet to place a few bucks on the Rebels.
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@booboo I think the Crusaders are fairly understrength for this one - you could make a strong case that only five of the best starting fifteen are starting - and three of those guys are out of position.
I think we'll win, but I'm not $1.05 confident with the team selected.
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@Chris-B. said in Rebels v Crusaders:
@booboo I think the Crusaders are fairly understrength for this one - you could make a strong case that only five of the best starting fifteen are starting - and three of those guys are out of position.
I think we'll win, but I'm not $1.05 confident with the team selected.
Rebels are kak. If you don't get the bonus point win it is a disaster.
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A disaster that will be laid at the feet of the selectors.
Actually, in terms of the overall number one seeding, I think bonus points are now irrelevant to the Crusaders. If we win our last three games the Lions can't get past us, because the first tie-breaker is number of games won. If we don't win our last three games, we're going to need a surprising and big favour from one of the other SA teams.
However, in terms of winning the NZ conference, if we drop one game somewhere then that bonus point could be crucial.
Drop two games and we're back to Toddyland!
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