Crusaders v Highlanders (QF)
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@akan004 I see it the other way. The first matchups this year between these two were played in a) under a roof and b) afternoon sun. I think those games suited the Highlanders up tempo game. I think these conditions will suit the Crusaders.
I think Crusaders expected 7 All Blacks in their starting 8 forward pack will be the difference (I think this and the expected conditions is why Highlanders have gone for 6 forwards 2 backs on the bench).
Having said all that the Highlanders have won 3 away playoff games in the last two years (2 of those against the odds) so it should be a great game.
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Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (C)
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (VC)
8 Kieran Read
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 Seta Tamanivalu
12 Ryan Crotty (VC)
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Israel Dagg
15 David HaviliRESERVES
16 Ben Funnell
17 Wyatt Crockett
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano
20 Pete Samu
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 George Bridge.
BNZ Crusaders team to play the Highlanders in Quarter-FinalThe BNZ Crusaders enter the Investec Super Rugby finals series when they host the Highlanders on Saturday night. The southern derby will decide which of the South Island teams makes it through to the semi-finals next weekend. Head Coach Scott Robertson has made five changes and three positional changes to the starting fifteen that played the Hurricanes last weekend. It is a fresh front row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks that will face the Highlanders forward pack. Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa and Ben Funnell will cover from the bench. Sam Whitelock returns to the starting line-up to captain the team, and vice-captain Ryan Crotty will also return at second-five. That sees David Havili shift back to fullback and Israel Dagg move to the wing. Kick-off is at 7:35pm this Saturday night at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, and tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or the Ticket Direct app. -
@Hooroo Can't say I agree with that. Am not convinced about Mo'unga's tactical kicking game yet. To be fair, I don't know too much about Hall and Drumond's respective kicking games as I haven't watched them too closely this year. But in Aaron Smith and Lima, the Highlanders have two quality guys who should be able to direct their team around in wet conditions.
It's the line speed that the Higlanders will bring in defence that leads me to tip them. The Crusaders struggled against the rush against the Lions, the Canes in the 2nd half last week and also the Highlanders when they last played each other. If they overcome it, then I think they will win it but I'm not convinced that they can based on what I have seen this year.
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Fuck I'm excited about this.
Happy about the foul weather predicted. We won the first game against the highlanders with Rolling Mauls. No need to change that plan.
Time for the ABs in the pack to stand up and show those journeymen how wet weather rugby is played.
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Landers by 1 with @Chris-B's boy Marty Banks slotting the winning dropgoal in the dying minutes.
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@No-Quarter Like this....?
Be careful what you wish for.
I've already got insurance money riding on the Highlanders knocking us over and then rolling a couple of teams returning from SA to take the title.
(Mainly insurance against the taunting of my Highlanders supporting bro-in-law).
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@Chris-B I have no recollection of that game.
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Highlanders are going to pull rabbit out of hat and will win by 8 pts.
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That's pretty much a full strength Crusaders team - for the first time this season.
I'd possibly have gone with Ioane or Bateman instead of George Bridge on the bench, but otherwise nothing much to quibble about.
Nice to see Pete Samu is fit again. Hope he's managed to get some club rugby under his belt.
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@Chris-B. said in Crusaders v Highlanders (QF):
That's pretty much a full strength Crusaders team - for the first time this season.
I'd possibly have gone with Ioane or Bateman instead of George Bridge on the bench, but otherwise nothing much to quibble about.
Nice to see Pete Samu is fit again. Hope he's managed to get some club rugby under his belt.
I like the idea of Samu coming on for Taufua in the last quarter. Jordan has faded in a few games this year late in the piece. Samu's a good ball runner.
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders (QF):
Only about 15,000 tickets sold for tomorrow night's quarterfinal between the Crusaders and Highlanders in Christchurch.
What is Capacity for that ground?
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders (QF):
Only about 15,000 tickets sold for tomorrow night's quarterfinal between the Crusaders and Highlanders in Christchurch.
That's really shit if it doesn't sell out... i am pretty sure the regular season game was a sellout, as was the blues game.
Fucking horrible weather down here today. Hopefully clears for tomo evening and we get a good walk up
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@SammyC said in Crusaders v Highlanders (QF):
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders (QF):
Only about 15,000 tickets sold for tomorrow night's quarterfinal between the Crusaders and Highlanders in Christchurch.
That's really shit if it doesn't sell out... i am pretty sure the regular season game was a sellout, as was the blues game.
Fucking horrible weather down here today. Hopefully clears for tomo evening and we get a good walk up
I wouldn't blame anyone not buying a ticket if the weather is rubbish but I imagine it will sell out
