Highlanders v Crusaders
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<p>Strange decision to start Havili instead of Crotty.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="578771" data-time="1462944467">
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<p>Strange decision to start Havili instead of Crotty.</p>
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<p>It's only the Highlanders....</p>
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<p>We're also not starting Barrett and Moody.</p> -
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<p>Strange decision to start Havili instead of Crotty.</p>
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<p>Todd was on the radio saying he felt the last 20 was where this would be won or lost and Crotty's injection would be crucial...or something to that effect.</p> -
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Todd was on the radio saying he felt the last 20 was where this would be won or lost and Crotty's injection would be crucial...or something to that effect.</em></strong></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hmmmm....he better live up to expectations..</p> -
<p>Interesting teams. <u>Man-for-man</u>, in terms of "national rankings", none of the Highlanders' forwards would make it into the Crusaders' pack (maybe Dixon over Taufua) and none of the Crusaders' backs would make it into the Highlanders' backline (maybe Fonotia over Faddes).</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="578795" data-time="1462947273">
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<p>Interesting teams. <u>Man-for-man</u>, in terms of "national rankings", none of the Highlanders' forwards would make it into the Crusaders' pack (maybe Dixon over Taufua) and none of the Crusaders' backs would make it into the Highlanders' backline (maybe Fonotia over Faddes).</p>
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<p>I'd pick Macilai over Osborne.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="578813" data-time="1462950698">
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<p>Am a bit disappointed that moody isn't starting, crusaders need to win the battle up front to have a chance of winning.</p>
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<p>Yeah - that one surprised me. Moody's scrummaging looks more reliable than Wyatt's. </p>
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<p>I'm also pretty surprised they've gone with Havili over Crotty. Even though Davey's been going well, surely you want your No.1 guys on the field for most of this game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="578813" data-time="1462950698">
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<p>Am a bit disappointed that moody isn't starting, crusaders need to win the battle up front to have a chance of winning.</p>
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<p>I'm not too concerned about Wyatt starting as I don't think its going to be too difficult a scrum battle. Wyatt's work around the park is still at a very high level this season and the way the Landers move the ball this might be a consideration as to why he gets the nod. um</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="578784" data-time="1462946346">
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<p>R&R for Moody and Barrett? They've been involved and shared heavy workloads.</p>
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<p>The workload of the three locks has been pretty even so far this season in terms of minutes, so its more a rotation thing</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="578819" data-time="1462952648">
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<p>Yeah - that one surprised me. Moody's scrummaging looks more reliable than Wyatt's. </p>
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<p>I'm also pretty surprised they've gone with Havili over Crotty. Even though Davey's been going well, surely you want your No.1 guys on the field for most of this game.</p>
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<p>I wish they'd do the sensible thing, and demote Fonatia to the bench, then combine Havili and Crotty in midfield...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="578802" data-time="1462947945"><p>I'd pick Macilai over Osborne.</p></blockquote>
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Macilai looks like he is carrying a few more kegs nowadays -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="578823" data-time="1462953343">
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<p>I'm not too concerned about Wyatt starting as I don't think its going to be too difficult a scrum battle. Wyatt's work around the park is still at a very high level this season and the way the Landers move the ball this might be a consideration as to why he gets the nod. um</p>
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<p>Good point, it's only Josh Honeck at tighthead. I'm glad they've left Halanukunuku on the bench. He's a better scrummager I reckon</p>
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<p>I'm also reasonably happy with Fonotia starting, he's been excellent this year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="578873" data-time="1462993832">
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<p>Which raises the question if Havili can make a donkey like Fonotia look good could he be a bolter for the All Blacks?</p>
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<p>Don't think so at this point. Havili's been good, but more in a "very solid" sort of way, rather than outstanding.</p>
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<p>Fonotia has been a significant improvement on last year's version.</p>
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<p>TAB has the Crusaders @ $1.80, Highlanders @ $2.00</p>
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<p> Very hard to call this one IMO - anything could happen including either team winning quite comfortably.</p>
