Crusaders v Chiefs

Mr Fish

@Bovidae said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@ruggabee I'm expecting Jacobson to have a rest next round, and Poihipi will play and be the captain.

Clearly the first-choice midfield is Tupaea and ALB. As I said, Poihipi just doesn't provide as much positional cover if in the reserves. McMillan said he has left Ioane on the bench as that will be his role when DMac is playing.

McMillan doesn't seem to trust the younger players much - even if they're better than the alternative's. Jacomb and Norris are definitely good enough to make the best 23 but will likely spend the next year or two behind inferior players. Norris currently is playing for the development side and didn't he make the All Blacks XV squad last year?

Proffit had a very good game against the Highlanders and is a stronger scrummager than Norris, which probably explains his selection this week.

Jacomb is a newbie and is being slowly introduced to Super Rugby. I think getting a start against the Crusaders is a pretty big show of faith from McMillan. If he plays well maybe he'll usurp Ioane for that bench spot.

ARHS

Mystified to see Norris Finau and Poihipi rested same week DMac is. Bit risky. I imagine Roe's kicking game will be used a bit this week

Tim

@ARHS Probably will still flog them.

Dan54

@ARHS said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Mystified to see Norris Finau and Poihipi rested same week DMac is. Bit risky. I imagine Roe's kicking game will be used a bit this week

Kind of making players stand up isn't it. Win the games without the stars.

frugby

Crusaders haven't been 0-5 bad, but that is where they lie. With the Chiefs resting players, they are certainly a decent chance tonight... and it is almost a must win.

Pretty hard to come back from 0-6... would leave them needing to win 5, if not 6 of their last 8 games, they could easily do that, but the margin of error would be so small.

taniwharugby

Drummond out before kick off

Canes4life

@taniwharugby wasn't he the captain for today aswell?

taniwharugby

@Canes4life yep, Christie now captain, Hotham starting

Chris

@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Drummond out before kick off

Covid

Machpants

@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Canes4life yep, Christie now captain, Hotham starting

Improvement for saders

Canes4life

Jeez how heavy is Aumua these days? I thought he was a prop looking at him.

Canes4life

@frugby they might not have to win that many if the three teams above them don't start winning soon.

Machpants

KIRST SUEY READO MARSHY

FFS

Canes4life

@Machpants how many times have they mentioned the Crusader's titles tonight? Clutching at straws much, the team out there tonight doesn't come close to any of those teams.

Kirwan

Man, a lot of ball movement

Kirwan

The definition of against the run of play

Duluth

Good to see an attacking clean out like that get penalised

Kirwan

Oh dear. Chiefs look they only had to turn up to win.

Jailbreak7

Both teams being really positive with ball in hand. Good to see.

Canes4life

Chiefs really don't look like the same side without DMac.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders v Chiefs