Crusaders v Blues
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the injuries
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
good luck! We're completely underdone; haven't had a preseason, didn't play NPC last year, and so ravaged with injuries it's amazing we can fill the coaches box, let alone field a 23.
Tongue slightly in cheek, though, it'll be a crackign top of the table clash. Can't wait.
Last year after the Crusaders got up, they drew with the Canes and then dropped the game after that. Peaked, but it took its toll I reckon.
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Largely unchanged team to be expected, aside from halfbacks.
Might see Lam start, with Tu'inukuafe on the bench?
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@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the injuries
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
good luck! We're completely underdone; haven't had a preseason, didn't play NPC last year, and so ravaged with injuries it's amazing we can fill the coaches box, let alone field a 23.
Tongue slightly in cheek, though, it'll be a crackign top of the table clash. Can't wait.
Last year after the Crusaders got up, they drew with the Canes and then dropped the game after that. Peaked, but it took its toll I reckon.
And haven't won in Christchurch since the 20th century. Crusaders to lose
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@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
Largely unchanged team to be expected, aside from halfbacks.
Might see Lam start, with Tu'inukuafe on the bench?
@Nogusta was hinting that Evans would be involved. Would be a massive call to start him so I assume he'll be on the bench
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@duluth said in Crusaders v Blues:
@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
Largely unchanged team to be expected, aside from halfbacks.
Might see Lam start, with Tu'inukuafe on the bench?
@Nogusta was hinting that Evans would be involved. Would be a massive call to start him so I assume he'll be on the bench
I wonder if that means they hold RTS for one more week as it would be a big call to start RTS in this game.
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@kiwimurph Probably the same with Goodhue for the Crusaders?
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@stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwimurph Probably the same with Goodhue for the Crusaders?
If either start it will be a positive for the other team, goodhue hasn't played in years, RTS is still very new. The game should be thumping intense, at least I hope so
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@machpants I reckon the win against the Chiefs will take it's toll. Crusaders by a thowwwsand
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@george33 said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp go back to sleep
so what's your pick then?
If the Blues play to tehir potential, they should win. Haven't been able to say that for some time, feels good. BUT - I'm not confident of our ability to back up two weeks in a row... hence my comment above. If we do, happy days, but if we don't then it's a flat performance and another loss down south.
The last time we were down there we went out to a really solid lead, and Mo'unga absolutely arced up and destroyed us in the last quarter. It was ridiculous. But -- we were dominant up to that point. Reassert that, and don't choke, and we're on ... going to be an absolute cracker.I hope
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I feel that the Saders are there for the taking this year, but it won’t be this week.
My feeling is that after that performance against the chiefs, the Blues will get a negative rebound.
I hope that doesn’t happen, but I cant see them beating the Saders.
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@gt12 yeah I was hoping Blues would be able to fly under the radar a little bit going into this clash but last weekend put paid to that.
Given Crusaders haven't exactly been on fire lately I can see Razor gearing them up for a huge performance.
Blues will have to clear the mental hurdle of beating the Crusaders which i'm not sure they are quite up to yet (especially in Christchurch).
For Blues to win they'll have to avoid penalties (in general play and at scrum time) that lead to lineout drive opportunities and they'll have to be very tidy under the high ball.
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@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
@machpants I reckon the win against the Chiefs will take it's toll. Crusaders by a thowwwsand
And 3 games in 8 days followed by an extremely physical game, hopefully the squad refreshes fast.
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It will be interesting to see which ref is chosen for this game. O'Keeffe would be the likely person as it can't be Williams or Pickerill (good for everyone). Both teams were very cynical in defending near their goal line in the weekend so we could see more yellow cards.
If the Blues forwards play with the same ferocity as they did against the Chiefs then game on. The scrum battle will be intriguing.
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@bovidae said in Crusaders v Blues:
It will be interesting to see which ref is chosen for this game. O'Keeffe would be the likely person as it can't be Williams or Pickerill (good for everyone). Both teams were very cynical in defending near their goal line in the weekend so we could see more yellow cards.
If the Blues forwards play with the same ferocity as they did against the Chiefs then game on. The scrum battle will be intriguing.
If it’s o’Thief then the crusaders have already won.
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Blues record vs Crusaders (Leon 2019-2021): 24-22, 19–11, 25-8, 43-26, 29-6.
Good chance of breaking the hoodoo this Friday.
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
Blues record vs Crusaders (Leon 2019-2021): 24-22, 19–11, 25-8, 43-26, 29-6.
Good chance of breaking the hoodoo this Friday.
Good point, well raised. Blues haven't beaten the Crusaders since they've had a Crusader coach. Tend to struggle against the Chiefs too...
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@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
Blues record vs Crusaders (Leon 2019-2021): 24-22, 19–11, 25-8, 43-26, 29-6.
Good chance of breaking the hoodoo this Friday.
Good point, well raised. Blues haven't beaten the Crusaders since they've had a Crusader coach. Tend to struggle against the Chiefs too...
Hurricanes & Chiefs definitely the bogey teams during Razor's time, account for 85% of his defeats as coach.
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the s
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
Apart from Whitelock (And Goodhue but he hardly counts) who of them is in the top XXIII?
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@booboo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the s
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
Apart from Whitelock (And Goodhue but he hardly counts) who of them is in the top XXIII?
Matera ,Strange,Whitelock,McAlister. and Goodhue,Would all be in the top 23.
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@chris said in Crusaders v Blues:
@booboo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the s
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
Apart from Whitelock (And Goodhue but he hardly counts) who of them is in the top XXIII?
Matera ,Strange,Whitelock,McAlister. and Goodhue,Would all be in the top 23.
Will give you that, although I don't rate Strange at all.
Given you can't really count Goodhue, (as much as Id like to: huge fanboi) that's a whole one starter.
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@booboo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@chris said in Crusaders v Blues:
@booboo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the s
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
Apart from Whitelock (And Goodhue but he hardly counts) who of them is in the top XXIII?
Matera ,Strange,Whitelock,McAlister. and Goodhue,Would all be in the top 23.
Will give you that, although I don't rate Strange at all.
Given you can't really count Goodhue, (as much as Id like to: huge fanboi) that's a whole one starter.
True but the bench is a big part of the game these days.
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not a lot of downside for me in this game. The big win was Saturday against the Chiefs. Now there is daylight between the Crusaders/Blues and the rest of the NZ sides.
The only thing in this comp is to get to the final. Ideally hosting it, but get to teh final must be the drive. After that, it's on. So a win would be nice, but more important is winning all the Australian games and building into the finals series.
Blues massive underdogs with all the injuries
Crusaders are also without Matera, Goodhue, Whitelock, Strange, Dunshea, McAlister & Klein.
Word just in that we will be without McCaw, Read, Jack and Carter. Although the Blues are trying claim that last fella as one of their outs…
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@act-crusader McCaw is irreplaceable although I'm sure Steve Brett, Mose Tuiali'i and Ali Williams will do a job for Dean's & Gibson
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@act-crusader Word from the camp is that Scott Robertson may not make the starting team either.
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@kiwimurph the curse of Carlos eh. Had his little show in 2004 and then they haven’t won in Christchurch for 18 years…
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I don't quite understand how Laulala is back? Didn't he get 3 weeks?
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1. Alex Hodgman (48)
2. Kurt Eklund (30)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (113)
4. Luke Romano (5)
5. Josh Goodhue (42)
6. Tom Robinson (38)
7. Dalton Papalii© (50)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (29)
9. Finlay Christie (23)
10. Beauden Barrett (10)
11. Mark Telea (31)
12. Bryce Heem (13)
13. Reiko Ioane (79)
14. AJ Lam (13)
15. Stephen Perofeta (38)16. Ricky Riccitelli 5)
17. Jordan Lay (3)
18. Nepo Laulala (17)
19. James Tucker (4)
20. Adrian Choat (11)
21. Taufa Funaki (3)
22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (3)
23. Zarn Sullivan (11)/ Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens (5)Players not considered: Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Sam Nock
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@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
I don't quite understand how Laulala is back? Didn't he get 3 weeks?
Was it three games perhaps? If so, thanks MP.
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@kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
I don't quite understand how Laulala is back? Didn't he get 3 weeks?
Was it three games perhaps? If so, thanks MP.
Even 3 games doesn't add up unless you count the game he got red-carded in.
from Stuff
Laulala pleaded guilty to the Sanzaar foul play review committee for contravening Law 9.20: dangerous play in a ruck or maul. He is suspended from all forms of the game up to and including April 15, which will see him also sit out the visits to the Chiefs and Crusaders.
EDIT - Blues have said his suspension has been reduced one week.
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@kiwimurph A friend messaged me something about Laulala being able to do a training course that would get him off another week of the suspension. Haven't been able to find anything about it though, and the friend has no knowledge other than what's in the press.
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@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
I don't quite understand how Laulala is back? Didn't he get 3 weeks?
Was it three games perhaps? If so, thanks MP.
Even 3 games doesn't add up unless you count the game he got red-carded in.
from Stuff
Laulala pleaded guilty to the Sanzaar foul play review committee for contravening Law 9.20: dangerous play in a ruck or maul. He is suspended from all forms of the game up to and including April 15, which will see him also sit out the visits to the Chiefs and Crusaders.
EDIT - Blues have said his suspension has been reduced one week.
Did they say why, and just as importantly did they get the same for Caleb?
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@kiwimurph I am staggered by this! Shook my head as I read the team list.
And poor Milo-Harris is out of the 23
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@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@kiwimurph A friend messaged me something about Laulala being able to do a training course that would get him off another week of the suspension. Haven't been able to find anything about it though, and the friend has no knowledge other than what's in the press.
Ahh, I did read that Caleb couldn't do that course because his action wasn't covered by anything. Seems a bit unfair.
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@arhs said in Crusaders v Blues:
And poor Milo-Harris is out of the 23
Blues have Drua, Force and Rebels after this with Nock still out so Milo-Harris could well get his chance then.
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All Black Ofa Tuungafasi has been cleared to start at tighthead prop, despite receiving 28 stitches in a facial wound against the Chiefs
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