Highlanders v Crusaders

antipodean

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

@shark Stealing @ACT-Crusader 's thunder here, but why not

9 Enari 10 Mo'unga 11 Bridge, 12 Havili, 13 Goodhue, 14 Ennor and 15 Jordan?

Are we playing Japan midweek again?

Frank

Even though he is injured and not playing - I 'd just like to say I'm really getting sick of NZ media describe Liam Squire as the All Black enforcer.
That is all.

Bones

@Frank said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

Even though he is injured and not playing - I 'd lust like to say I'm really getting sick of NZ media describe Liam Squire as the All Black enforcer.
That is all.

He's in charge of team fines.

ACT Crusader

@Bones enforcing the team’s food bill

Chris

Can anyone please tell me if the Junior Ratuva
Named on the wing for the Crusader Knights to play the curtain raiser tomorrow
Is the same player who signed for the Melbourne storm for 2 years straight out of Kings college in 2017

Chris

Crusaders Knights team to play Highlanders Bravehearts:

Isi Tu'ungafasi RESERVES
Ben Funnell 16. Brodie McAlister
Oliver Jager 17. Chris Gawler
Will Tucker 18. Sam Matenga
Michael Curry 19. Josh Bokser
Billy Harmon 20. Hugh Renton
Tom Christie 21. Connor McManus
Ethan Blackadder 22. Alex Harford
Mitchell Drummond 23. Zach McKay
Tim Bateman
Junior Ratuva
Inga Finau
Tuli Paea
Sevu Reece
Jamie Spowart

KiwiMurph

Reports that the game is being cancelled.

Stargazer

Crazy Horse

Not sure how I feel about that.

Crazy Horse

I would have watched. If the players didn't want to play then fair enough I suppose.

Stargazer

NZR Statement:

Tonight's Highlanders v Crusaders Investec Super Rugby fixture scheduled to be played at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium has been cancelled.
New Zealand Rugby's Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said the decision to cancel the match was made after urgent meetings today with both teams, venue management, police and community organisations involved in responses to yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Christchurch.

“After consulting widely with both teams and key stakeholders, New Zealand Rugby has decided to cancel this evening’s match. 

“Advice from police and venue management was that the fixture could go ahead, however, with strong agreement from both teams we have made the final call not to proceed as a mark of respect for the events that have occurred in Christchurch."

Crusaders CEO Colin Mainsbridge said their entire club community was in a state of shock.

“Yesterday’s horrific attacks have left us all feeling stunned. All other issues and considerations pale in significance. We will now regroup and make arrangements for the team to return home as soon as possible to be back in their community and with their families.”

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark said they were working to communicate with ticketholders and fans.

“This is always the biggest fixture on our match calendar and one which our fans look forward to, but when we think about the massive loss of life and absolute devastation that has been wreaked on people in Christchurch, we feel this is the right decision.

“For ticketholders refunds will be processed over the next three weeks further information will be available through ticketrocket.co.nz.”

The Highlanders team has met today and all players have been advised to go home and be with their families.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33847/highlanders-v-crusaders-match-cancelled

gt12

Given that the initial target was in Dunedin, this makes some sense.

Siam

I respect their decision to cancel, I would have applauded a decision to continue.

Nepia

As it was the players decision I think it's the right decision.

Stargazer

I totally agree with the decision. Not only does it show respect for the victims, their families and local community, but I expect it's also important to the Crusaders players on a more personal level. Many of them have young kids and their schools may have been in lock-down yesterday. They'll want to be with their families, esp. their kids, give them a cuddle and talk with them about what happened. They also have strong ties to the local community and may want to connect with them as well, just like they did after the big earthquake. Those things are just more important than what's, ultimately, only a game of rugby.

NTA

I'm bummed because it is usually a high quality fixture but you've got to respect that decision.

Kirwan

While I understand the decision, and it’s theres to make, I lean towards carrying on as normal. One of the goals of these sorts of attacks is to change how we live.

Like how we should never name these cowards, we shouldn’t change a damn thing about how we live as a society.

Siam

Easiest 2 points we'll get off the Crusaders!🙂

Too soon?

sparky

My every sympathy for the players involved. They were in a no-win situation here. Go ahead with the game and some people somewhere would have accused them of insensitivity. Cancel and others would accuse them of being cowards. Neither choice was easy.

For what's its worth IMHO for 24 to 48 hours after terrorist attacks it is right to stop and the entire focus of communities affected to be with the victims and supporting the emergency services, as well as beginning to make sense of what happened. Rugby is just a game after all.

Then after that it's back to being the open, open-minded, fun-loving, busy societies we are. The terrorists and fascists must never win.

I hope schools in the South Island are open as normal on Monday.

Crazy Horse

@sparky is anyone calling them cowards though?

The Silver Fern

Highlanders v Crusaders