Crusaders v Brumbies

[Stargazer]

Crusaders:
1 Joe Moody, 2. Ben Funnell, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock (c), 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (vc), 8. Whetu Douglas*
9 Bryn Hall*, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. George Bridge*, 12. Ryan Crotty (vc), 13. Jack Goodhue*, 14. Seta Tamanivalu*, 15. Israel Dagg

Reserves:
16 Codie Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Ereatari Enari*, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. David Havili

*Crusaders debut

It will also be Dagg's 100th Super Rugby game.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/89734294/seta-tamanivalu-to-wing-it-for-crusaders-in-super-rugby-match-against-brumbies

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer No big surprises in that team - sort of telegraphed by the starting XV in the final trial match.

I'm a bit surprised at Funnell starting ahead of Taylor, but I doubt we'll see that for too long.

Can't say I've ever paid any attention to Whetu Douglas, but I'd guess he's a third lineout option.

For anyone who hasn't seen, attached is the Crusader Knights squad giving an indication of others "sort of in the frame" for the future.

http://crusaders.co.nz/news/1050-crusaders-knights-squad-named-for-2017-season

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B. In case you hadn't seen it, I posted that Crusaders Knights squad with games in the Crusaders 2017 squad as well.

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer Ah - so you have. All I saw recently was a news article that rambled on about Maddock having chosen the team, but omitted to say who was in it.

[antipodean]

Crusaders look bloody good in the first five minutes. Good carries. Fast ball at rucks. Patient. Up 7-0

[taniwharugby]

Moody lucky not to be pinged for that clean out!

[antipodean]

@taniwharugby Looked like a flying shoulder.

[Stargazer]

Ha, Read on waterboy duties!

[taniwharugby]

how can he ping the crusaders?

[antipodean]

They went straight over the ball.

[Tim]

Think he called Dagg for playing it on the ground?

[taniwharugby]

@Tim it appeared as it the Brumbies had ingringed before he did that??

[Stargazer]

Goodhue is looking good. A handful for the Brumboys' defence.

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer cant wait to see him back in Cambridge blue later this year!

[Stargazer]

Franks almost decapitated. Not penalised. Penalty was for something else.

[antipodean]

If Hall opens his eyes he can see opportunities to snipe around the ruck. Big spaces either side of the pillar.

[Stargazer]

Crusaders clearly the dominant team, but can't convert it into points because Brumbies' defence is working well. Dagg is looking very good.

[antipodean]

@Stargazer Dagg carrying the backline.

Lovely offload for their second try.

[Stargazer]

Good first half from the Crusaders; just need to take their opportunities more and score more points. Ponies are boring.
Dagg a class apart.

[Billy Tell]

Israel Dagg

Starting where he left off.

I know he has no height, but given the insipid performances of the likes of Elliott Dixon at AB level, I wonder if the ABs could do worse than have a look at a pocket rocket type 6 like Taufua. It works well for the likes of Stander and Ireland.