Crusaders v Blues
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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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THE BLUES CHASE GOOD FRIDAY AGAINST CRUSADERS IN CHRISTCHURCH — Blues Rugby
The Blues will get no tougher litmus test on their progress than the Easter Friday clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch. The team bagged three wins in their challenging three-game schedule in a week, before resetting with an impressive victory against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
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.
