Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes
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Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Salesi Rayasi
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara
8 Gareth Evans
7 Ardie Savea
6 Reed Prinsep
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
4 James Blackwell
3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
2 Dane Coles (c)
1 Toby SmithReserves
16 Asafo Aumua
17 Xavier Numia
18 Ben May
19 Kane Le'aupepe
20 Vaea Fifita
21 Richard Judd
22 James Marshall
23 Jonah LoweHugely popular halfback TJ Perenara will become the most capped Hurricanes player when he starts in the Investec Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday night. Perenara will go ahead of former Hurricanes team-mates Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith when he makes his 127th appearance, eight seasons after he made his debut against the Stormers in Cape Town. Since then the 27-year-old has gone on to score 53 tries, including five in 2019, for the Hurricanes, second only to the great Christian Cullen. He will again partner fellow centurion Beauden Barrett in the inside halves, the 101st time they will combine in those positions. The pair were instrumental in helping the Hurricanes edge the impressive Bulls 35-28 in their quarter-final win at Westpac Stadium and the performance of the side has prompted head coach John Plumtree to make just one confirmed change to the starting side. That change is on the wing where Salesi Rayasi replaces Wes Goosen who aggravated a hamstring injury against the Bulls. The bench features the return of utility forward Vaea Fifita from suspension while James Marshall has recovered from an elbow injury which ruled him out of the quarter-final late. The other change sees Xavier Numia replace Fraser Armstrong. Plumtree said it was fantastic for Perenara to bring up such an important milestone in such a significant match. "TJ has been a remarkable player and leader for the Hurricanes for such a long time and we know he shows that every time he goes out with the jersey on," he said. "He will relish the challenge of going down to play the Crusaders and having a chance to play in a Super Rugby final. As a group we are all excited about the opportunity to go up against a side with such a proven history." -
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@cgrant said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
Jonah Lowe ? A few ferners will be delighted !!!!!!!!!!!!!
More like completely surprised. A Magpie in the staring lineup, a soon to be Magpie in the staring lineup, AND Jonah Lowe on the bench - shit there must have been a lot of injuries this week.
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A full strength Crusaders (at least the starting 15 I think) vs an injury depleted Canes. Add in some odd selections from Plumtree (I still don't get his love for Blackwell. Or Princep. Or Lam). then poor defending backs. Esp Lam. But others too. The Canes haven't a hope of winning. If they can keep the score within 30 points it will be a great achievement. It could be a 50+ point thrashing. Hope not but if the Crusaders turn up it could be. They will just walk through the Canes.
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1 Here's what we already know about Plumtree. In December he stated he was considering putting his name forward for the All Blacks coach's job when Steve Hansen retires after the World Cup.
Plumtree is a good coach. But this year has clearly shown what his limitations are. And these limitations make a difference between a winning coach and one who makes up the numbers. Plumtree can turn a poorly performing side into a good side that almost wins. But his limitations means he will never win a title unless he has a massive amount of luck. He's a Blackadder compared to a Robertson
If he was involved with the ABs it would only ever be as an assistant coach.
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The other change sees Xavier Numia replace Fraser Armstrong.
Numia is a promising prop. But not ready yet . Is Armstrong injured. Could Fidow play LH?
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@Winger Numia demolished the Highlanders scrum when he came on earlier this year but it will be a big task packing down against one of the best in Owen Franks.
I think the Canes will have a very good tight five going forward, they just need a year or two in the saddle before they start to reach their potential.
Yeah it doesn't look promising for the Canes. You add in the fact that Rayasi and Umaga Jensen are green as grass, you know it's going to be a long night.
Simple game plan for the Crusaders: attack the Canes set piece and kick to Lam and Rayasi all night.
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@Nepia said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
I thought this game was tonight. No what the hell am I supposed to do with myself?
Chillax and make you're up early tomorrow morning
Canes vs Crusaders part IX will end up the same way as before
Saders crushing Canes once again
Canes have 2 wingers who're terrible defenders & get lost in space
and a #13 who's in for a through examination11am NZ time tomorrow morning is the game to watch
Jaguares vs Brumbies in front of a 30,000+ crowd of wild Argentinians
Atmosphere is going to be
As well as a much more interesting & competitive game in all likelihood
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@Chris said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
@Chester-Draws The game plan under Blackadder was flawed and easy to shutdown it was too predictable plus he failed to motivate the AB's like Razor does.That's why we never won titles under him.We had no 2nd or 3rd options under pressure.We would have failed to win titles with the whole AB squad under Blackadder.
Plus Blackadder was a fucking horrific selector of outside backs in particular. Playing the likes of Rob Thompson on the wing, Nafi Tuitivake, Tom Taylor at fullback, Carter at 12, selecting Kieron Fonotia etc etc. Bloody awful.
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So the Jags have just creamed the Nags. Great to have something different happening in the finals this season. If the Canes pull off an upset tonight, at least we get to see a different kind of final in terms of venue, time zone, atmosphere etc and a real anything-could-happen game too.
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If we win tonight it will be Miracle on Ice shit. Verses will be written about how the good guys did the impossible against the evil southern empire. It will be one for the ages.
Saders by 20.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
If we win tonight it will be Miracle on Ice shit. Verses will be written about how the good guys did the impossible against the evil southern empire. It will be one for the ages.
Saders by 20.
We are going to get wiped. But if there was ever a time for the ghosts of the fog final to do us a solid.....
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@shark
Plus Blackadder was a fucking horrific selector of outside backs in particular. Playing the likes of Rob Thompson on the wing, Nafi Tuitivake, Tom Taylor at fullback, Carter at 12, selecting Kieron Fonotia etc etc. Bloody awful.Yeah they were horrific selections
Hurricanes name strong squad for semi-final challenge
