Crusaders 2019
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Then there are the "foundation days", the camps to be held for All Blacks. Just when they will be staged, and whether Super Rugby teams will be denied test players ahead of offshore matches, is still a mystery. All enquiries in regards to the camps have to be directed to the All Blacks, but they are not saying anything yet.Even better, All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor should be picked to play the win-less Chiefs at Christchurch Stadium this weekend, having been rested from the first three games. The following weekend, when the Crusaders meet the Highlanders, All Blacks king pins Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read will be available after standing down from the first month of the competition.During the 22-12 win over the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night, Robertson had emptied his bench by the 61st minute. The need to get test players off the park, and to also add fresh legs in the humidity, was deemed a necessity when his side led by 15 points but it also resulted in the side struggling to maintain its rhythm and continuity on attack. "There is no doubt the momentum of the game changed when you make a lot of subs," Robertson said. "But we knew that was potentially going to happen and we practised during the week as much as we can and talked about keeping the momentum and the flow going." With All Blacks first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga sitting on 128 minutes prior to the game, Robertson knew he had to withdraw him in the second half and get Mitchell Hunt on the field. Then came the drama in the final 10 minutes when Hunt was knocked out, and the officials incorrectly wouldn't allow Mo'unga to return as a replacement which meant the visitors had to play the rest of the game with 14 men. "But making eight changes, and what happened in the end with Richie - because we had rolled the dice in the 60th minute to get him off - had that consequence. But it is done (the All Blacks capping of minutes)," Robertson said. It is too soon to say whether Hunt will be available to play the Chiefs. -
Link to podcast:
Crusaders' assisant coach on when Kieran Read will return
Two questions asked to Ronan O'Gara. One about Read's availability, the other about the World League Rugby proposal.
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Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that wing Manasa Mataele will take no further part in the Crusaders' campaign after badly damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.That sucks for the poor lad. Last year his knee already caused a lot of problems, and now again.
All Blacks loosehead prop Tim Perry, who has had the misfortune to suffer a series of injuries over the years, recently had several steel plates inserted into the arm he broke against the Blues in the opening round. "We are not sure if he's out for all the season, but the majority," Ryan stated. "It's sort of the same break Jordie Taufua had (in the Super Rugby semifinal last year), so there's every chance he could be ready around the final round robin game." Given it is World Cup year, Perry will be desperate for the Crusaders to qualify for the playoffs so he present a compelling case to the All Blacks' selectors. -
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2019:
So reading between the lines it sounds like Read’s back is still not quite right?
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The Crusaders Knights lost to the Highlanders Bravehearts on Saturday (19 - 43).
Several U20s players in that line-up. Don't recognise all names (Kane Le'aupepe, Michael Curry, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Nic Souchon, Sam Matenga, Samu Tawake, Jacob Norris).
Are Rupena Parkinson and Zack McKay related to Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh McKay?
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Joe Moody out for this week anyway - but not for the long term.
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2019:
The Crusaders Knights lost to the Highlanders Bravehearts on Saturday (19 - 43).
Several U20s players in that line-up. Don't recognise all names (Kane Le'aupepe, Michael Curry, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Nic Souchon, Sam Matenga, Samu Tawake, Jacob Norris).
Are Rupena Parkinson and Zack McKay related to Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh McKay?
So how did Dallas McLeod play?
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The Crusaders Knights team to play the curtain raiser on Saturday v Highlanders Bravehearts (5pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium):
1 Isi Tu'ungafasi
2 Ben Funnell
3 Oliver Jager
4 Will Tucker
5 Michael Curry
6 Billy Harmon
7 Tom Christie
8 Ethan Blackadder
9 Mitchell Drummond
10 Tim Bateman
11 Junior Ratuva
12 Inga Finau
13 Tuli Paea
14 Sevu Reece
15 Jamie SpowartRESERVES
16 Brodie McAlister
17 Chris Gawler
18 Sam Matenga
19 Josh Bokser
20 Hugh Renton
21 Connor McManus
22 Alex Harford
23 Zach McKayOliver Jager finally returning from injury. Surprised not to see Caleb Makene in the squad. Is he injured?
A few other players probably missing due to the NZU20s camp this week; there are trial games this weekend in Palmerston North.
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