Crusaders vs Blues
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So Rieko Ioane will be back. Christie is due back and Perofeta didn't play the last game because they were being extra cautious
So RI to start and the other two return from the bench?
I presume McWhannell will be out after that head knock. Tuitpulotu and Darry with Beehre on the bench?
I suspect Clarke and Papali'i will each miss one of the next two games for AB rest reasons
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders vs Blues:
@Duluth I believe Christie isn't due back until the final round vs Chiefs
Yeah that was what Cotter said in the press conference after the Canes match. After the Highlanders game Nock said he heard Christie would be back this week
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@Kirwan Yes I thought it was interesting to hear Cotter after Crusaders game 1 - it certainly sounded like he understood the Blues had a lot of mental baggage when it came to the Crusaders that he hoped would be eased after that win.
This game won't be easy. Crusaders will presumably have Scott Barrett, Tamaiti etc back and will be in desperation mode as it's last chance saloon.
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders vs Blues:
This game won't be easy. Crusaders will presumably have Scott Barrett, Tamaiti etc back and will be in desperation mode as it's last chance saloon.
The pack will be good and the Blues scrum needs to be at it's best
It'll be interesting to see if Barrett plays. His back injury keeps flaring up.. obviously the Crusaders will want him to play but the national selectors may want him to fully recover.
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Any news of Ofa being cited? From what the thread was saying on Saturday night they were adamant Ofa’s cheap shot on Millar would be reviewed… will need all the big names on the field up against the crusaders at home with their season on the line. They love these games against the blues. Gonna be a beauty to watch for sure
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@Landers92 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
Any news of Ofa being cited? From what the thread was saying on Saturday night they were adamant Ofa’s cheap shot on Millar would be reviewed… will need all the big names on the field up against the crusaders at home with their season on the line. They love these games against the blues. Gonna be a beauty to watch for sure
He wasn't the main tackler, looked like a rugby incident to me. Not worth a citing IMO.
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@george33 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
Can see Dalton starting , and resting for Chiefs , Clarke's missed a couple so should be good ,Reiko hopefully
I think they have done their AB rests, but can see a few important players being rested for finals.
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I wouldnt want to lose Ofa for this game. The Crusaders scrum is still obe of the best in the comp and it would be a tough ask for Sheck and or Tupaea to come in.
I don't think this is a foregone conclusion as some would suggest. Cold nights in Chch are always tough for opposing sides.
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@Dan54 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
@george33 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
Can see Dalton starting , and resting for Chiefs , Clarke's missed a couple so should be good ,Reiko hopefully
I think they have done their AB rests, but can see a few important players being rested for finals.
Minutes is what they watch. Going into last weekend Papali'i wasn't far behind Telea who rested the last match. Clarke is a little further back
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@Duluth said in Crusaders vs Blues:
@Dan54 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
@george33 said in Crusaders vs Blues:
Can see Dalton starting , and resting for Chiefs , Clarke's missed a couple so should be good ,Reiko hopefully
I think they have done their AB rests, but can see a few important players being rested for finals.
Minutes is what they watch. Going into last weekend Papali'i wasn't far behind Telea who rested the last match. Clarke is a little further back
Genuinely thought it was training too mate. On rest week they (I thought) kept clear of a lot of the training.
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As a Canes fan this is a challenging one.
On one hand I want the Saders to win, so we can re take top spot (assuming we win our final 2 games).
But, on the other hand, I don't want the Saders to make the 8, so need the Blues to win.
I'm leaning towards wanting Blues this week, then for them to stumble against the Chiefs the final week. That'd do me nicely.
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The Press:
Assistant-coach Matt Todd confirmed on Tuesday that Barrett was unlikely to be over his back injury in time for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific match against the top-of-the-table Blues in Christchurch. The All Blacks captaincy contender has played just 13 minutes in the last three rounds and his absence has been keenly felt. But there were was better news about Ethan Blackadder - who missed the first seven rounds through injury, then played in the next three but has not played for almost a month. Todd said the All Blacks flanker “could be a chance” after training well “at the back end of last week’’. Blackadder will among a clutch of players was to be assessed ahead of the team naming on Wednesday. -
@Duluth said in Crusaders vs Blues:
But there were was better news about Ethan Blackadder - who missed the first seven rounds through injury, then played in the next three but has not played for almost a month.
Todd said the All Blacks flanker “could be a chance” after training well “at the back end of last week’’.
Will be cleared and then fall over and be out for 3 months when the team run out on match day.
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@Frank said in Crusaders vs Blues:
@Duluth said in Crusaders vs Blues:
But there were was better news about Ethan Blackadder - who missed the first seven rounds through injury, then played in the next three but has not played for almost a month.
Todd said the All Blacks flanker “could be a chance” after training well “at the back end of last week’’.
Will be cleared and then fall over and be out for 3 months when the team run out on match day.
Rushed back to get minutes before AB’s selection. Seen this before…… Poor Ethan can’t catch a break
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Are the Crusaders using the same S&C staff as the Waratahs?
