Rebels v Crusaders
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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In other news, I see Quentin Strange has been withdrawn from the Barbarians team due to Super rugby commitments, which suggests we're not getting Scott Barrett back next week.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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@KiwiMurph said in Rebels v Crusaders:
Every single fan is being metal detected upon entry to the game.
Sad Stuff.
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Havili tearing it up at fullback against the Rebels who look utterly unorganised in defence.
