Chiefs v Crusaders
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BNZ Crusaders team named to play the Chiefs in Hamilton
The BNZ Crusaders travel to Hamilton on Friday, ahead of their match against the Chiefs on Saturday night. This week 16 fixture will be the last round of the Investec Super Rugby competition before teams break for the June international window. Head Coach Scott Robertson has named his side for the match, which sees a reshuffle in both the loose forwards and the midfield, from the side that took the field against the Hurricanes last week. Prop Joe Moody returns, joining Codie Taylor and Michael Alaalatoa in the front row. Wyatt Crockett, in his 200th Crusaders game, will provide cover on the bench. Scott Barrett is set to play his 50th Crusaders game on Saturday night, and will line up alongside Quinten Strange at lock. Matt Todd will again resume the captaincy this week. Jordan Taufua - who was a late withdrawal last week due to a tight calf - will line up at No. 8, which means Heiden Bedwell-Curtis moves to blindside flanker. Ethan Blackadder will provide cover on the bench, in place of Pete Samu. TIm Bateman has been replaced in the midfield this week due to a hamstring injury, with Jack Goodhue to start at second five-eighth and Seta Tamanivalu moving in-field to centre. Following his successful return to club rugby last weekend, Israel Dagg takes a spot on the right wing. This week the BNZ Crusaders will also welcome back winger Jone Macilai, to the match day side. Macilai makes a successful return from injury and will wear the No. 23 jersey.Wyatt Crockett, in his 200th Crusaders game
Legend! I assume it's his 199th Super Rugby game, because he also played against the Lions last year (but not against England in 2014).
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What has happened to Levi Aumua? And assume Fa;'auli is still injured?
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@nepia said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I always thought the Maori version of Cooper was Kupa, but clearly it is Wainui.
To be fair, this could be repayment of the unexpected couple of good games Wainui showed earlier in the season. I'm not sure what Stevenson has done to shit the bed though and Alaimalo showed some real inexperience in the Tahs game on positioning and defensive reads.
It looks to me that Cooper has got a bit excited about having the rare ability to turn the same team out two weeks in a row but it could also be that he is trying to settle on combinations for the late season. Maybe he sees good possibilities with Alaimalo at 15.
I think the 10,12,13 should now be inked in and if Tony Pulu continues like he did last week he can be on the preferred list too.TTT looked very TKB like when he came on and that could also be part of the plan. Start with Weber for greater speed to the ball but finish with the stronger halfback.
1-5 looks settled and with Laulala coming back that will help with depth.
Not entirely sure on the best loose forward combo with the available players. Cane is obviously a certainty and I think Messam is having one of his best seasons. Would we lose much in the lineout if we had Cane and Karpik out there together?
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I don't know if I'm patriotic or stupid or both.
For some reason I think we can match the Crusaders in the forwards but have the upperhand in the backs and for that we will win.
I'd go with "optimistic"
though I hope you're right! -
@hooroo 75/25 I reckon!! ha ha well I thought something similar last week and the Canes ended up getting their arses handed to them
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@paekakboyz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo 75/25 I reckon!! ha ha well I thought something similar last week and the Canes ended up getting their arses handed to them
I kind of think our forward pack is better than yours though. They are kind of punching above their weight. This is the real test though
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I don't know if I'm patriotic or stupid or both.
For some reason I think we can match the Crusaders in the forwards but have the upperhand in the backs and for that we will win.
The Chiefs are the only team that can match us in the forwards, always nervous about playing them.
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@hooroo can't argue with that, esp with us missing Coles and having several guys missing due to injury. I'd rate our top line pack to go close. But we don't have anyone even close to tying up Brodie's laces at the moment!! I have to say I'm loving how Messam is having a primo run this season too.
Our backs are better though :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_closed_eyes:
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@paekakboyz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo can't argue with that, esp with us missing Coles and having several guys missing due to injury. I'd rate our top line pack to go close. But we don't have anyone even close to tying up Brodie's laces at the moment!! I have to say I'm loving how Messam is having a primo run this season too.
Our backs are better though :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_closed_eyes:
Completely agree re: Backs. I'm happy with this ALB/Ngati combo though and DMac is the man too
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I will add one more thing in that the Crusaders will DEFINITELY be more clinical and clinical mostly beats flash harry
That will be the difference. It was quite worrying how easy the Tahs scored when they got moving forward and the Saders are even more clinical
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@crucial said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I will add one more thing in that the Crusaders will DEFINITELY be more clinical and clinical mostly beats flash harry
That will be the difference. It was quite worrying how easy the Tahs scored when they got moving forward and the Saders are even more clinical
I'm still fairly optimistic (thanks @Donsteppa )though.
Looking forward to this match
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@hooroo I think I'm right that no NZ team that isn't the Blues has lost a home derby match this year. Hurricanes and Crusaders have chances to change that this weekend.
Crusaders missing Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty are big losses.
Whitelock because the Chiefs have Retallick.
Crotty's absence might not be felt as much in the midfield as in the outside backs, where we'll have a rusty Dagg on one wing and 38th man Jone Macilai on the bench.
Lacking the power wing that Seta or Mataele have provided.
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@chris-b said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo I think I'm right that no NZ team that isn't the Blues has lost a home derby match this year. Hurricanes and Crusaders have chances to change that this weekend.
Crusaders missing Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty are big losses.
Whitelock because the Chiefs have Retallick.
Crotty's absence might not be felt as much in the midfield as in the outside backs, where we'll have a rusty Dagg on one wing and 38th man Jone Macilai on the bench.
Lacking the power wing that Seta or Mataele have provided.
Ooooooooo! I completely forgot about Whitelock and Crotty. That really is huge. Especially Whitelock who I think is arguably the best captain going around. Losing those two etches away away a bit of the Clinical advantage.
This is ridiculous. I am starting to suddenly feel confident.... 0-10 after 5 mins will have that washed away PDQ
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@hooroo If it makes you feel happier, we also don't have Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Ben Funnell or Manasa Mataele from what I think is our best 23.
On the basis of home advantage, I think it's more likely that the Highlanders will beat the Hurricanes than that the Crusaders will beat the Chiefs - which are the two results I'm hoping for.
Hurricanes and Chiefs both winning would spoil my weekend.
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