Chiefs v Crusaders

[Cpt Kumera]

<p>good to see kane haimes  starting</p>

[Bones]

Good to see Brad is still kicking about and has a job.

[Stargazer]

<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmGBE9sWIAAISJE.jpg" alt="CmGBE9sWIAAISJE.jpg"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Unavailable due to injury: Ryan Crotty, Luke Romano.</p>
<p>If/when they come on, both Jed Brown and Mitchell Hunt will make their debuts.</p>

[mariner4life]

<p>what a rubbish forward pack....  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>shit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The backs really don't measure up to the forwards, but then they're not playing against much this week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crusaders by 10 (the fuckers always come good after the international break)</p>

[Canerbry]

WHat time is it on? Yeah us by 10 is par I reckon, that's a pretty classy looking side.

[taniwharugby]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="592851" data-time="1467196715"><p>WHat time is it on? Yeah us by 10 is par I reckon, that's a pretty classy looking side.</p></blockquote>
There is a hint in the team graphic above...;)<br><br>
So is Macilai just there ahead of McNichol or did he get missed off the injured list?

[SammyC]

McNicol is injured, likewise Marty Mackenzie.<br><br>
Good to see Mitch hunt get a chance, he's been tearing it up in club rugby and was good in his 30 minute cameo against the highlanders last week

[Bovidae]

<p>As I said before the Welsh game, never fear Beaver's here!  :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nick Briant is the ref.  Expect some controversy.</p>

[kiwiinmelb]

That crusader pack could start a test match without a problem , I'm starting to think it's going to serve them well at the pointy end .

[No Quarter]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="592851" data-time="1467196715">
<div>
<p>WHat time is it on? Yeah us by 10 is par I reckon, that's a pretty classy looking side.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>
Crusaders by 10 until you factor in the Beaver effect. Chiefs by 1.</p>

[Chris B.]

<p>Crusaders don't usually start the season well - or do well in the first game after the extended break.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hopefully Toddy has impressed on them the importance of this game, but it won't surprise me if we fuck it up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crusaders have the better forward pack, but Chiefs have the advantage in the backs and off the bench. </p>

[ACT Crusader]

Whilst I'd rather Crotty was available and starting, I do like Havili in the side. The kid has excellent speed and if we get front foot ball he will be our key ball runner. <br><br>
Hearing some good things from the camp with the team looking for a more complete performance from the pack. <br><br>
My main concern is Jone. I think Weber and Donald will look to kick to his side most of the game, not just with the high ball, but to avoid the Nadolo counter but also to force pressure on him to make decisions. That is where his lack of experience has been exposed. <br><br>
Saders by 4

[Provincial Stalwart]

<p>Brad update please.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hoping for some duty free scotch if he's willing to act as my agent in this arrangement. </p>

[Hooroo]

<p>He lives there so no go, but will ask when he comes back to NZ for vist</p>

[MajorRage]

<p>I haven't watched much Crusaders this year, but I have to ask about the Moody / Crockett axis.  How much has each been playing, whose been starting etc?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure if I should be reading much into it, but it doesn't make sense that a guy who doesn't start for the Crusaders, starts the world cup final for the all blacks.</p>

[Hooroo]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="592960" data-time="1467247883">
<div>
<p>I haven't watched much Crusaders this year, but I have to ask about the Moody / Crockett axis.  How much has each been playing, whose been starting etc?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure if I should be reading much into it, but it doesn't make sense that a guy who doesn't start for the Crusaders, starts the world cup final for the all blacks.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That doesn't make much sense to me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Are you saying the AB's have got it wrong or the crusaders have got it wrong?</p>

[Chris B.]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="592960" data-time="1467247883">
<div>
<p>I haven't watched much Crusaders this year, but I have to ask about the Moody / Crockett axis.  How much has each been playing, whose been starting etc?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure if I should be reading much into it, but it doesn't make sense that a guy who doesn't start for the Crusaders, starts the world cup final for the all blacks.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Moody has mainly started for the Crusaders so far - I think the Crockett decision for this game is about relative workloads in recent times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toddy has done an excellent job of managing workloads this year - in some ways helped from the temptation of thrashing a few players by them having injury breaks - Whitelock and Crotty.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Read is the guy who has sustained the heaviest workload - will be very surprised if he isn't given the Rebels game off (though I'd be somewhat tempted to sit him on the bench and not use him except in dire emergency).  </p>

[SammyC]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="592960" data-time="1467247883">
<div>
<p>I haven't watched much Crusaders this year, but I have to ask about the Moody / Crockett axis.  How much has each been playing, whose been starting etc?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure if I should be reading much into it, but it doesn't make sense that a guy who doesn't start for the Crusaders, starts the world cup final for the all blacks.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>You could ask the same question about Donald starting ahead of Cruden</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They are both good props, the best 2 looseheads in the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's about rest and rotation, given Moody's workload in the ABs series</p>

[Stargazer]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="592982" data-time="1467252360">
<div>
<p><strong>Moody has mainly started for the Crusaders so far</strong> - I think the Crockett decision for this game is about relative workloads in recent times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toddy has done an excellent job of managing workloads this year - in some ways helped from the temptation of thrashing a few players by them having injury breaks - Whitelock and Crotty.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Read is the guy who has sustained the heaviest workload - will be very surprised if he isn't given the Rebels game off (though I'd be somewhat tempted to sit him on the bench and not use him except in dire emergency).  </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I looked it up, and not including this weekend's game, Moody has started 7 games and Crockett 5.</p>

[cgrant]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="592749" data-time="1467160639">
<div>
<p>I think this is a home game for The Chiefs? Anyhoo it is being playing in Fiji for some reason.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81554065/stephen-donald-starts-with-aaron-cruden-benched-for-chiefs-clash-with-crusaders'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81554065/stephen-donald-starts-with-aaron-cruden-benched-for-chiefs-clash-with-crusaders</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Donald starts! I'm so happy!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CHIEFS: </strong>Damian McKenzie, Toni Pulu, Seta Tamanivalu,  Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Stephen Donald, Brad Weber; Tom Sanders, Sam Cane, Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Hiroshi Yamashita, Hika Elliot, Kane Hames. Reserves<strong>: </strong>Nathan Harris, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Atu Moli, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Sam McNicol</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> Who is Mitchell Brown ?</p>