2021 Crusaders

[Stargazer]

Is anyone going to this game? If so, can you please, post some comments on the game afterwards?

Crusaders Development XV to play Hurricanes Hunters tomorrow (Christchurch Park, k/o 1pm):

1 Conan O’Donnell
2 Nate Vella
3 Tamaiti Williams
4 Luke Romano
5 Mitch Dunshea
6 Liam Allen
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Whetu Kamokamo Douglas
9 Ere Enari
10 Brett Cameron
11 Manasa Mataele
12 Taine Robinson
13 Rene Ranger
14 Cam Bailey
15 Chay Fihaki

Reserves
16 Sam Stewart
17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin
18 Sam Matenga
19 Max Hicks
20 Will Tucker
21 Matt Letoga
22 Mitch Gibson
23 Louie Chapman
24 Campbell Parata
25 Tahu Kaa
26 Trevahn Ta’ufolou

Good to see Manasa Mataele return from injury.

https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/crusaders-development-xv-named-to-player-hurricanes-development/

Full squad:

[shark]

I'd like to hear how Parata and Tucker go. Plus this Romano kid.

[Stargazer]

I think that if you register without subscribing, you can read one free article per day.

[Stargazer]

Despite Blackadder looking dazed and struggling to get to his feet, he left the paddock and passed his head injury assessment, Hansen confirmed.

However, the Crusaders will play it safe and sit him for at least one week.

“[He was] good off the field. He texted him mum and dad to make sure they knew he was alright. Good young man, he will be back on the field soon,” Hansen said.

Tom Sanders, who fractured his cheek in an inter-squad match last month, has returned to training in a limited capacity, leaving Whetukamokamo Douglas as the frontrunner to replace Blackadder.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300248157/super-rugby-crusaders-downplay-richie-moungas-heavily-strapped-knee

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

This is the Crusaders Development XV that is currently playing the Highlanders Bravehearts.

Oliver Jager is back playing.

Crusaders Development XV to play Highlanders Bravehearts:

1 Isileli Tu’ungafasi
2 Shilo Klein
3 Oli Jager
4 Will Tucker
5 Caleb Aperahama
6 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
7 Mitch Gibson
8 Matt Letoga
9 Ereatara Enari
10 Brett Cameron
11 Manasa Mataele
12 Tim O’Malley
13 Isaiah Punivai
14 Cam Bailey
15 Josh McKay

RESERVES:
16 Sam Stewart
17 Conan O’Donnell
18 Tamaiti Williams
19 Antonio Shalfoon
20 Liam Allen
21 Braden Stewart
22 Luke Donaldson
23 Alex Harford
24 Taine Robinson
25 Tahu Kaa
26 Rico Syme

https://www.crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/crusaders-development-xv-named-to-play-the-highlanders-bravehearts/

[Stargazer]

[Billy Tell]

Apart from Ennor and Bridge who is currently injured and for how long out?

[Tim]

@billy-tell Blackadder and Sanders. Also Makalio.

[Stargazer]

@billy-tell Easy to find on the injuries list: https://www.thesilverfern.com/squads

Still have to remove Jager from the injuries, but add Christie from tonight.

[Chris]

Jager,Grace,Mataele, fit for selection for this Weeks game,

Bridge and Saunders maybe back after the Bye.

[Stargazer]

[Chris]

link text

[Stargazer]

I'm trying to figure out who a certain player is, but my memory is completely failing me. Who's the player to the right (in last year's away jersey opposite Blackadder)? I also see Brendon O'Connor in that clip.

[Dice]

@stargazer Tom Sanders?

[Stargazer]

@dice Possibly, but I'm not sure what training a player with facial injuries can take part in. He's not expected back playing until mid-April, I think.

[Chris]

@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:

I'm trying to figure out who a certain player is, but my memory is completely failing me. Who's the player to the right (in last year's away jersey opposite Blackadder)? I also see Brendon O'Connor in that clip.

That’s Tom Saunders

[mofitzy_]

Is Mo'unga the player with the biggest discrepancy between his reputation in NZ and abroad?

Really hope he can bring his super form consistently to the black jersey, because then he will be a game winner and PotY contender.

[Stargazer]

@mofitzy_ I think he has been better in black than people are giving him credit for. They magnify a missed tackle in the SF against England, and forget the things he's done well (including a brilliant tackle on Kolbe in the first RWC pool match).

Mo'unga himself has said that he plays best when he gets freedom and can play what's in front of him, so reasonably unstructured rugby. I'm not overlooking his work-ons, but I think the ABs coaching & game plans, being chained to a (too) dominant BB behind him, maybe having the wrong players around him, may have something to do with how he has played for the ABs as well. I'd love to see how he plays in black when he's unleashed, with players like Havili & Jordan next to and behind him.

[bobily2]

There is an article on stuff today about how he plays best when he's under presssure. Personally this is something I haven't really seen at test match level. It seems to be whenever we have a tough game he makes multiple mistakes in his kicking around the field.

I don't have too much of a problem with his tackling. Any first five will probably miss a few, but it really is a momentum killer when you finally get a penalty to get out of your half, only to boot it dead.