Crusaders v Blues
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Sith Lords have more fun
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@Yeetyaah said in Crusaders v Blues:
Dark days for the Saders. We lost consecutive matches against the Chiefs and then the Blues to start the season. Then the Joubert debacle in the final. Dark days indeed.
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@ACT-Crusader Joubert debacle?
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@Yeetyaah said in Crusaders v Blues:
@ACT-Crusader Joubert debacle?
Highway robbery.
Craig Joubert’s penalty against Richie McCaw was incorrect, Jonathan Kaplan says
McCaw ruling wrong, says Kaplan
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https://blues.rugby/powerful-line-up-heading-south/
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Aaron Carroll, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 TJ Faiane, 23 Matt Duffie
The Blues have named arguably their strongest team for the top of the table match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday. The pack is unchanged from the side that beat the Highlanders before the break, with two changes in the backs. Halfback Finlay Christie and second-five Harry Plummer will start after coming off the bench in their previous three Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa games. There are 16 players in the travelling party that have played in all four Super Rugby Aotearoa matches, with the bench further strengthened with the return of All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe and Blake Gibson, both recovered from injuries. “The team is naturally excited about the contest and we are confident, based on our efforts every day in training,” said Blues head coach Leon MacDonald. “The Crusaders are the benchmark in New Zealand rugby, so we are under no illusion about the task ahead of us. They have won the last 35 games of Super Rugby at home. “Just because we have won the last three games, we know that means nothing in the scheme of things. “We know that we will need to be very accurate with and without the ball while the battle in the forwards for clean front-foot possession with be a key. “If we can implement our game plan and execute, then there is no reason why we can’t provide a stern test. And if the weather plays ball, it should be a cracking game.” MacDonald said Christie earned his start after excellent performances off the bench and he will renew his combination with fellow former Hurricanes backs Otere Black and Beauden Barrett. Plummer is an excellent all-round player who adds yet another kicking option and allows 41-game midfielder TJ Faiane to come off the bench after playing big minutes in this competition.Players not considered with injury: Jared Page (hamstring), Stephen Perofeta (fractured foot), Tom Robinson (knee). Season ending: Ray Niuia, James Tucker, Tanielu Tele’a.
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
I wonder whether he'll be playing at all in SRA? Probably only if multiple players go down with injury?
Probably multiple injuries for him to be covering ten. A single injury in the midfield may have him on the bench covering 12
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
So the media speculation about Carter possibly playing against the Crusaders was premature. I wonder whether he'll be playing at all in SRA? Probably only if multiple players go down with injury?
I think he'll play - I think expecting him to play this weekend was daft.
Makes much more sense to ease him in next week onwards.
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@KiwiMurph be to do with his haircut!
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Carter was overheard having a discussion with his former Crusader and All Black team mate, “Rangi, we’ve both sold our souls by coming to Auckland, but why don’t I have another hit out with Southbridge so it’s not both of us up against our old team”. “Sure thing DC. We’ve only got the Hurricanes next week, so a nice easy game to get back into it.”
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@Frank said in Crusaders v Blues:
Finlay Christie has a very good quick game but I think he'll be targeted.
I think they would've targeted any of the Blues halfbacks..
Christie's been good off the bench. I would've preferred him to get a start before this match though.
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15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Joe Moody
Reserves: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Quentin Strange, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Fetuli Paea, 23 Will Jordan
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12346777
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Blackadder, who had major shoulder surgery last year, is set to go under the knife in the next week, after feeling discomfort in his knee, Robertson said.
‘’We really feel for him, he's been through a lot. He just had a wee episode with his knee, something is floating in it. It just locked up a couple of times. The surgeon said he will go inside and have a look.
With Grace likely to miss the remainder of the competition, the Crusaders have brought in Canterbury loose forward Hugh Renton as injury cover.
