Crusaders v Sunwolves
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Interesting, I'd have thought that the Crusaders would give the wider squad a shot at the Sunwolves.
Great milestone for Wyatt. Deserved recognition as a servant of New Zealand rugby.
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@antipodean There are a few WTG players in this line-up, but they also seem to use this game to bring some players back from injury, such as Read, Mo'unga, Tamanivalu and Jack Goodhue, who haven't played for a while or not at all yet this season. Considering the games that are still to be played, that makes sense?
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I'd say a big reason for the team named above is the fact the bye week for the Crusaders was last week so the frontliners just got a week off - plus they have the Stormers next week so having players have 2 weeks off and then have to front against an undefeated team is probably not a great recipe, especially when you've got players coming back into the side from injury this week, better to use this week to form combinations for next week than chopping and changing.
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@KiwiMurph Hmm, but several first choice of players are not in this squad, not even in the reserves .. (Taylor, Franks, Barrett, Taufua, and also Hall). As far as I know, none of these players is injured. Four WTG players on the bench though (Makalio, Jager, Strange, Fukofuka) and several players starting, who normally come off the bench.
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I reckon they've got that selection just about perfect. Yeah, you could've rested Whitelock but maybe he's there for stability/consistency so that team run about 30 points in the first 30 minutes and then he can take a seat.
The last thing you want with a banana skin game is to get stunned early and not have a figurehead there to correct things. Although, Kieran Read should be able to do that regardless of his freshness.
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Hang on, the Sunwolves are a banana skin game? Are you serious? If they lose to that rabble they should volunteer themselves to be cut from the comp out of sheer embarrassment.
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From Kyodo News:
Rugby: Quirk back to lead much changed Sunwolves against CrusadersEd Quirk returns from injury and will lead the Sunwolves against the CrusadersThe Australian-born flanker leads a side that shows eight changes from the team that started last Saturday's win over South Africa's Bulls.Tiatia:
"We ... are very aware of what lies ahead this Friday night against the Crusaders."Tiatia's 23-man squad contains two players set to make their Super Rugby debut, wing Teruya Goto and reserve flanker Yuhimaru Mimura. "I understand one of my roles is to tackle my opponents as many times as possible, and I will be focusing on that," said Mimura ...No kidding!
If you understand what's coming at you on Friday, why select two rookies? -
I like that lineup. Good mix of in-form and young/returning players.
Hopefully we can play with accuracy and secure a bonus point win.
If those returning players put in good performances, next week's selections will be really interesting.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Sunwolves:
Hopefully we can play with accuracy and secure a bonus point win.
haha, if any team in NZ cannot secure a BP Win v these guys they deserve to be flogged!
Only thing in SW favour is weather isn't looking ideal, but still wont be enough.
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Sunwolves:
From Kyodo News:
Rugby: Quirk back to lead much changed Sunwolves against CrusadersEd Quirk returns from injury and will lead the Sunwolves against the CrusadersThe Australian-born flanker leads a side that shows eight changes from the team that started last Saturday's win over South Africa's Bulls.Tiatia:
"We ... are very aware of what lies ahead this Friday night against the Crusaders."Tiatia's 23-man squad contains two players set to make their Super Rugby debut, wing Teruya Goto and reserve flanker Yuhimaru Mimura. "I understand one of my roles is to tackle my opponents as many times as possible, and I will be focusing on that," said Mimura ...No kidding!
If you understand what's coming at you on Friday, why select two rookies?Martin Guptill on the blindside flank for some big hits. Good to see.
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@MN5 said in Crusaders v Sunwolves:
@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Sunwolves:
From Kyodo News:
Rugby: Quirk back to lead much changed Sunwolves against CrusadersEd Quirk returns from injury and will lead the Sunwolves against the CrusadersThe Australian-born flanker leads a side that shows eight changes from the team that started last Saturday's win over South Africa's Bulls.Tiatia:
"We ... are very aware of what lies ahead this Friday night against the Crusaders."Tiatia's 23-man squad contains two players set to make their Super Rugby debut, wing Teruya Goto and reserve flanker Yuhimaru Mimura. "I understand one of my roles is to tackle my opponents as many times as possible, and I will be focusing on that," said Mimura ...No kidding!
If you understand what's coming at you on Friday, why select two rookies?Martin Guptill on the blindside flank for some big hits. Good to see.
Nah looks more like a cold ass honky.
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Well done Sunwolves destroying Crusaders maul. Hubris for not taking three points this early in the game punished.
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@antipodean think they're probably pretty safe with over 80% territory and two thirds possession...
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@Bones said in Crusaders v Sunwolves:
@antipodean think they're probably pretty safe with over 80% territory and two thirds possession...
Bro, up early for a Super game in which the Canes aren't even playing?
#dedicated
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Best thing about this game so far is the tab 1st try special
