Blues v Crusaders

Nepia

@nepia nice nickname

I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.

Kirwan

@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:

@nepia nice nickname

I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.

He certainly has been unlucky. Mike Brewer levels of durability.

Tim

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Dallas McLeod.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300256762/super-rugby-crusaders-tackling-machine-tom-christie-done-for-rest-of-campaign

gt12

@tim

That's a shame for Christie, but that Crusaders team looks very good. This should be a cracking game.

nzzp

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

@tim

That's a shame for Christie, but that Crusaders team looks very good. This should be a cracking game.

Crusaders tight 5 and Richie Mo'unga give them the edge as usual. Should be a cracking game, but crusaders by 5. Bless clear underdogs

gt12

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

@tim

That's a shame for Christie, but that Crusaders team looks very good. This should be a cracking game.

Crusaders tight 5 and Richie Mo'unga give them the edge as usual. Should be a cracking game, but crusaders by 5. Bless clear underdogs

Yeah, 4 ABs in the front five with one squaddie coming off the bench does give them an advantage. However, the prop rotation and loosies for the Blues are also very good, so it should be a real ding dong battle.

I'm also starting to really like the way that Otere Black is playing, he's probably No. 2 right now behind Richie.

Crusaders by less than 7 seems about right but I will be cheering along my new second team. I'm hoping that Paps is healthy, but even without him the Blues may have the edge in the loosies.

Gunner

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

@tim

I'm hoping that Paps is healthy, but even without him the Blues ~~may~~ have the edge in the loosies.

FIFY

Bovidae

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

That's a shame for Christie

Segner to get a call up?

KiwiMurph

@gunner Papali'i is not playing this weekend. Gibson is available though.

Stargazer

@bovidae Brendon O'Connor more likely, I think.

nzzp

@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:

... but I will be cheering along my new second team

Plenty of room on the bandwagon - it's been pretty empty for a few years.

Tim

Tim

Players not considered with injury: Soane Vikena (Pec), Ray Niuia (knee), Dillon Hunt (concussion), Dalton Papalii (concussion), Mark Telea (concussion), Jone Macalai (season-ending).

https://blues.rugby/experienced-line-up-for-clash-with-crusaders/

Heem is a weird one.

Stargazer

@tim What's weird about Heem? I totally expected him there; just not sure about when.

Tim

@stargazer Only joined the squad two weeks ago, probably a bit slow at his age. Was never a high skill level player.

KiwiMurph

@tim the other options are Narawa (who has major defensive question marks) or rookies

Tim

@kiwimurph Or Tanielu Tele'a.

KiwiMurph

@tim True. It's clear they are going for experience there.

akan004

I know with 6 forwards on the bench it's going to be hard to pick Zarn Sullivan but man it's disappointing not to see him in SR so far. A definite future AB imo.

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300257160/super-rugby-aotearoa-blues-opt-for-bryce-heem-on-right-wing-to-face-crusaders

The Silver Fern

Blues v Crusaders