Crusaders 2019
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@Nepia said in Crusaders 2019:
@Tim said in Crusaders 2019:
Declan O'Donnell has been brought into the Crusaders as injury cover.
How many Cantabs are getting injured?
Not enough that I can’t find a starting AB XV
Happy new year 😎
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Saw this at G&GR:
Further to my post re:CruSadists, it's now confirmed that SW & KR will sit out Rounds 1-4; Cody Taylor Rounds 1 & 2; and everyone from EOYT (SW, KR & CT incl) can only play 180min in Rounds 1 - 4 & has to be given two weeks off during the season. Odds on a SR three-peat just lengthened IMO (but if it helps even a little toward a RWC three-peat then who gives a shit?).
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@Tim said in Crusaders 2019:
Saw this at G&GR:
Further to my post re:CruSadists, it's now confirmed that SW & KR will sit out Rounds 1-4; Cody Taylor Rounds 1 & 2; and everyone from EOYT (SW, KR & CT incl) can only play 180min in Rounds 1 - 4 & has to be given two weeks off during the season. Odds on a SR three-peat just lengthened IMO (but if it helps even a little toward a RWC three-peat then who gives a shit?).
The Blues are dead set favourites now. Theirs to lose. Hope they don't choke!
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Attended the game and posted my review on the Hurricanes 2019 page.
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@Crazy-Horse Heh. You're still $1.32 favourites.
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I already posted a comment in the Hurricanes thread here: http://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/294529
Now, a few more comments on the Crusaders:
Strong scrum, line-out worked reasonably well, dominating at the breakdown. Douglas, Strange and Makalio were very good in the first half; Taufua was outstanding from the moment he came on. He was true to his nick name "beast". Romano also looking good.
In the backline, Mataele was on fire, Hall and Havili looked very good (the latter made some awesome tackles), and newbies McLeod (great intercept try) and Fainga'anuku looked very promising. I had never seen Fainga'anuke "live"; my god, that boy is huuuuuuuuuuuuuge. In the second spell, Reece showed his class and Jordan scored a good one (found the clip below on twitter). Hunt > Cameron.
It was during that brief period in the second half in which the Canes scored two quick tries when they were briefly dominating play, that Perry had some issues with his foot or ankle, and Makalio (or was it Tu'ungafasi?) was treated for a head injury. Tom Christie had a slight limp when he walked off at the end of the game, but as the article below says, no notable injuries.
Razor was very popular on the ground and very generous with his time for selfies, especially with the little ones.
Full time score:
Hurricanes 19 (Vince Aso, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Callum Harkin tries; JGB con, don't know who converted Harkin's try)
Crusaders 34 (Manasa Mataele 2, Andrew Makalio, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Will Jordan; Hunt 2 con)
(Half time: 7 - 19).
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Crusaders squad for the preseason game against the Highlanders on Friday, 8 Feb (k/o 6.00pm, Southbridge RFC):
1 Tim Perry
2 Ben Funnell
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Luke Romano
5 Quinten Strange
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Billy Harmon
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas (C)
9 Mitchell Drummond (VC)
10 Mitchell Hunt
11 George Bridge
12 Tim Bateman
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Manasa Mataele
15 David HaviliREPLACEMENTS
Harry Allan
Andrew Makalio
George Bower
Mitchell Dunshea
Ethan Blackadder
Tom Sanders
Bryn Hall (VC)
Ereatara Enari
Brett Cameron
Leicester Faingaanuku
Ngane Punivai
Will JordanBNZ Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson has named a squad of 27 for the match in Southbridge, including the much anticipated return of left wing George Bridge and second five-eighth Tim Bateman - who will both take the field for the first time this year.Whetukamokamo Douglas will Captain the side, supported by halfbacks Mitchell Drummond and Bryn Hall as Vice-Captains. -
@Stargazer crusaders knights trial is on Saturday as well. Apparently there are 8 all blacks playing.
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@chchfanatic I would really appreciate it, if the NZ franchises were better at publishing info about the games and squads of the development (& U20) teams. Do you know whether this info about the Crusaders Knights is published somewhere in the local media (online)?
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@Stargazer there’s never anything about the knights. I’ll find out where and when it’s on. I was talking to one of the coaches involved with the knights. Not sure which ABs are playing though.
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@Bones said in Crusaders 2019:
Is Dagg injured?
From the article below:
Dagg had a more frustrating season in 2018. Injuries did him no favours and he ran out of time to prove himself ahead of the playoffs. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said it was too soon to say when the fullback/wing, who was contracted to play in Japan over the off-season, will be declared fit for the year ahead. "He is working closely with the medical group to make a decision, on what is best for him over next few months," Robertson said. An operation may be required: "It could, and that's the thing," he added. "Look, how big that operation is. There are a lot of factors, what does it look like and if they do operate is it now or later? Does it give him longevity in the game? So he has got some big decisions to make." -
More info about not fielding ABs. No mention of the Crusaders Knights game, though.
The far-reaching shadow of the World Cup is already forcing Scott Robertson to be innovative. The All Blacks management's request that top test players be stood down from all trial games means the Crusaders, like the other four New Zealand clubs, must ring-fence their stars until Super Rugby starts next weekend. The upshot is that Crusaders coach Robertson has been unable to select a full-strength team to play the the final pre-season fixture against the Highlanders in Southbridge on Friday evening, with captain Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Matt Todd, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue destined to sit on the sideline. Traditionally the majority of All Blacks have been permitted to play 40 minutes in the last "friendly", giving coaches an opportunity to gauge their fitness, and willingness to protect their reputations before the competition begins. Not this year, though. And that means Robertson has had to tweak his pre-season training programmes. "It is a different challenge for us, it 100 per cent is," he said. "There is no doubt that having that game for them is beneficial, but (with the) World Cup year, the season is a week earlier. It is just the way it works out. "You can make an issue if you want, or you can find a solution - which we have and get on with it, with the right mind set."So Robertson has had to generate ideas in terms of ensuring his All Blacks get their share of contact on the training pitch. Because it won't do to have them undercooked, given they have three tough derby games against the Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs in the first four rounds. "We are just managing the All Blacks, as much as we possibly can, so they can get through our structures and the shapes that we are running," Robertson said. "And integrate them as much as we can because they have got to have contact … the physicality of it. "It is alright running through shapes, until someone is front of you and banging into you. It is a bit different isn't it?" -
Full time:
Crusaders 43 (Sanders 2x, Bateman, Taufua, Mataele, Dunshea, Jordan tries; Hunt 2x con; 3rd - 4th con ?)
Highlanders 38 (Tomkinson 2x, Coltman, Lentjes, Fakatava, McKay tries; Ioane con, 2nd - 3rd con ?, Gatland con)The Crusaders retain the Farmland Cup.
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@Stargazer crusaders knights trial 1pm at Malvern park. Next to rugby park. 8 crusaders All blacks are playing 40
