SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs
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Adding to the good problems for the coaches is that lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi, loose forward Luke Jacobson and utility back Chase Tiatia are now all available for selection following their concussions.
Barnes said lock/loose forward Samipeni Finau and winger/centre Sean Wainui were “borderline” due to injuries picked up against the Blues, but that midfielder Alex Nankivell is expected to play despite a broken finger.
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Biggest question for the Crusaders, I think, is whether Ennor or Fainga'anuku starts at centre - and, if it's Ennor, whether Big Leicester gets a start on the wing.
I reckon they'll pick Ennor to start - and Bridge on the wing, leaving Leicester on the bench.
Because I'm a fan of having at least one big man in the backs, I'd actually pick Leicester on the wing over George (which shouldn't be interpreted that I don't like George).
Other questions are Sione Havili or Tom Sanders to start at 7 (or just possibly Sanders at 8, which I'd be tempted to do), Drummond or Hall at halfback, and Williams or Tu'ungafasi as the bench prop.
My guess:
Bower, Taylor, Alaalatoa, Barrett, Whitelock, Blackadder, Havili, Grace, Hall, Mo'unga, Bridge, Havili, Ennor, Reece, Jordan
Williams, McAlister, Jager, Dunshea, Sanders, Drummond, McLeod, Fainga'anuku
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@chris-b said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Biggest question for the Crusaders, I think, is whether Ennor or Fainga'anuku starts at centre - and, if it's Ennor, whether Big Leicester gets a start on the wing.
I reckon they'll pick Ennor to start - and Bridge on the wing, leaving Leicester on the bench.
Because I'm a fan of having at least one big man in the backs, I'd actually pick Leicester on the wing over George (which shouldn't be interpreted that I don't like George).
Other questions are Sione Havili or Tom Sanders to start at 7 (or just possibly Sanders at 8, which I'd be tempted to do), Drummond or Hall at halfback, and Williams or Tu'ungafasi as the bench prop.
My guess:
Bower, Taylor, Alaalatoa, Barrett, Whitelock, Blackadder, Havili, Grace, Hall, Mo'unga, Bridge, Havili, Ennor, Reece, Jordan
Williams, McAlister, Jager, Dunshea, Sanders, Drummond, McLeod, Fainga'anuku
Fainga’anuku will start at centre .Ennor maybe on the bench ,Drummond will start is my pick.
From what I have heard.
Otherwise you are spot on with the rest of the 23. -
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@chris-b said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris Interesting - wouldn't surprise me.
I reckon Drummie has been marginally better than Hall this year, but him starting would go against history.
Same team I predicted with Ennor on the bench my source was correct.
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@yeetyaah said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Anything less than a 30 point Crusaders win would be a choke of epic proprtions
Look at all those established AB's ably backed up by guys i am reliably informed should be starting ABs this year.
Maybe the line should actually be 40 having written that.
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@mariner4life no faith eh
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@mariner4life said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Anything less than a 30 point Crusaders win would be a choke of epic proprtions
Look at all those established AB's ably backed up by guys i am reliably informed should be starting ABs this year.
Maybe the line should actually be 40 having written that.Looks like the final score should be 40/3 at drinks.
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@yeetyaah said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@mariner4life no faith eh
All part of out-crusading the (ACT) Crusaders.
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That is a strong Crusader's bench!
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@chris said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris-b said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris Interesting - wouldn't surprise me.
I reckon Drummie has been marginally better than Hall this year, but him starting would go against history.
Same team I predicted with Ennor on the bench my source was correct.
I didn't have any sources except.....the media.
I thought they might go with Ennor's greater experience over Leicester's match play, but not a big surprise that they didn't.
I'm slightly more surprised to see Drummie starting over Hall. Is that form, or an indicator that maybe Bryn's having his last season in Chch? I guess I'll watch to see how much time Enari gets in the Trans Ta$man stuff.
Three things for Crusader's fans to worry about for this game:
- Discipline and cards.
- The front row holding up - can't afford to get dominated in the scrums.
- ALB slicing and dicing Big Leicester.
Actually, four...that the Chiefs are close enough for DMac to kick yet another jammy matchwinner!
But, if 1-3 aren't issues, I don't expect 4 to be in play!
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@chris-b said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris-b said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris Interesting - wouldn't surprise me.
I reckon Drummie has been marginally better than Hall this year, but him starting would go against history.
Same team I predicted with Ennor on the bench my source was correct.
I didn't have any sources except.....the media.
I thought they might go with Ennor's greater experience over Leicester's match play, but not a big surprise that they didn't.
I'm slightly more surprised to see Drummie starting over Hall. Is that form, or an indicator that maybe Bryn's having his last season in Chch? I guess I'll watch to see how much time Enari gets in the Trans Ta$man stuff.
Three things for Crusader's fans to worry about for this game:
- Discipline and cards.
- The front row holding up - can't afford to get dominated in the scrums.
- ALB slicing and dicing Big Leicester.
Actually, four...that the Chiefs are close enough for DMac to kick yet another jammy matchwinner!
But, if 1-3 aren't issues, I don't expect 4 to be in play!
I think the Hall selection is form,I hear a HB is coming back from Top league in Japan to-play for Canterbury this season. he has already signed for Canterbury.
That maybe a pointer to Hall or Enari moving on or one of them not having their contracts renewed.I think Liecester will be fine against ALB,Havilli is doing an Awesome job helping him out on D With great comunication.
Discipline and cards for me are a worry we have O'Keefe as Ref and he penalises the Crusaders more than any other Ref.
Yep agree too on the scrum Bower has to stand up big time for us.
We maybe able to cause some problems for the Chiefs line out their Hookers can be wayward on the throw. -
@chris said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Discipline and cards for me are a worry we have O'Keefe as Ref and he penalises the Crusaders more than any other Ref.
Sounds like he knows what he is doing then.
As long as he keeps an eye on Codie Taylor he should keep that record.
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@crucial said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Discipline and cards for me are a worry we have O'Keefe as Ref and he penalises the Crusaders more than any other Ref.
Sounds like he knows what he is doing then.
As long as he keeps an eye on Codie Taylor he should keep that record.
O'keefe is a Fuckwit in my eyes always has been,One thing I will add he is also a Hometown Ref ( as in favours the home teams )so you boys could be in trouble as well.
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@crucial said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
@chris said in SRA: Final. Crusaders vs Chiefs:
Discipline and cards for me are a worry we have O'Keefe as Ref and he penalises the Crusaders more than any other Ref.
Sounds like he knows what he is doing then.
As long as he keeps an eye on Codie Taylor he should keep that record.
Barrett is a serial offender and ironically is usually the first to whinge about the opposition.
