Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF
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Hurricanes
1 Toby Smith
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
4 Michael Fatialofa
5 Sam Lousi
6 Brad Shields
7 Gareth Evans
8 Blade Thomson
9 TJ Perenara
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Ben Lam
12 Ngani Laumape
13 Jordie Barrett
14 Julian Savea
15 Nehe Milner-SkudderReserves
16 James O'Reilly
17 Chris Eves
18 Ben May
19 Vaea Fifita
20 Ardie Savea / Reed Prinsep
21 Jamie Booth
22 Ihaia West
23 Wes Goosen.
HURRICANES NAMED UNCHANGED SIDE FOR SEMI-FINAL
The Hurricanes have named an unchanged starting XV to head south for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Christchurch's AMI Stadium. After defeating the Chiefs 32-31 in last week's quarter-final, Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has resisted the temptation to change a winning combination as they prepare to take on the defending champions. The bench is also settled, although there is potential for one change with Ardie Savea bracketed with Reed Prinsep. Savea has not played since he suffered a high ankle sprain in the All Blacks third test against France on June 23. Boyd said Savea had worked extremely hard to return to the Hurricanes campaign and a decision on whether he would take his place in the match day squad would be made later in the week. He was pleased with how the squad had prepared and played against the Chiefs but he recognised the challenge the Crusaders would provide the team. Saturday's semi-final will be prop Toby Smith's 100th Super Rugby match having represented the Chiefs and the Rebels before arriving at the Hurricanes. "Toby is one of those guys who just goes about his work without fuss or fanfare but he has been a really important factor in the Hurricanes this season," Boyd said. "We certainly congratulate him on becoming the latest Hurricanes player to reach the milestone." -
battle of the Great White Hypes at 13
That Crusaders 15 is ridiculous actually.
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Combined 23
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Jordan Taufua/Brad Shields?
7 Matt Todd
8 Kieran Read
9 TJ Perenara
10 Beaudy Barrett
11 George Bridge/Ben lam?
12 Ryan Crotty/Ngani Laumape?
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Seta Tamanivalu
15 David Havili (I'd take Jordie Barrett here, but he's 13)
Reserves
16 Andrew Makalio
17 Tim Perry
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano/Fafita?
20 Ardie Savea (may not be fit)
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor -
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
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@machpants said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Compare position to position in both 23s, it'd come out almost 20 for the Saders!
Agree unfortunately. I hope they remember to use lube .
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@jegga said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Compare position to position in both 23s, it'd come out almost 20 for the Saders!
Agree unfortunately. I hope they remember to use lube .
I suspect this will be ugly. Fark I wish we had Broadhurst (poor bastard) and Coles. Wouldn't make a huge difference but would give the forwards a few weapons.
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Yup, Crusaders by 30+
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
I would tend to agree, however any flyhalf who can't perform behind that pack should be shot.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
I would tend to agree, however any flyhalf who can't perform behind that pack should be shot.
ditto for the halfback
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@sammyc said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
No Crockzilla!
That must have been the toughest call. Maybe alongside Ennor or Mataele if Manasa is fit?
Good to see that Big Seta is available to play.
I heard someone on the radio saying that the Crusaders have something like 450 test caps in their starting forward pack and the Canes have three (should actually be at least nine including Toby Smith).
Balance not quite so slanted in the Canes favour in the backs, but it will be getting there if Crotty hobbles off early.
Crusaders need to temper their early enthusiasm with intelligence. Need to play considerably better and with less infringements than last week's first half if they want to win this.
This is probably the hardest game the Crusaders will face in the play-offs. I don't see any team flying over the Indian Ocean to victory - unless it is the Waratahs to play in Sydney... but, they've already flown over it!
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Boyd's attitude about Jordie at 13 is in direct contrast to the tough calls that Razor has been making.
It comes across as 'he wants to play there and he's kind of OK, I prefer him at 15 but will give him a go'. It smacks of trying to fit the names in rather than planning the best balance. -
@crucial it’s a little surprising but other than Goosen, who is a better winger in my view, what are the options?
I think Savea shouldn’t be starting and NMS should play wing and Jordie at fullback. Goosen moves to centre. But that won’t work because that leaves Savea for the bench and I don’t think that’s what they want.
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Goosen, who is a better winger
Not a good wing IMO. Better centre.
