Crusaders 2023

[SBW1]

@Crucial Will Heinz will be a big asset for next year. Be great if someone like Tom Taylor came home and picked up a contract.

[Billy Tell]

@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:

@Crucial Will Heinz will be a big asset for next year. Be great if someone like Tom Taylor came home and picked up a contract.

Tells you a lot about the state of NZ depth when we rejoice about posters at the tail end of their careers returning home to strengthen squads.

[Tim]

@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders 2023:

@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:

@Crucial Will Heinz will be a big asset for next year. Be great if someone like Tom Taylor came home and picked up a contract.

Tells you a lot about the state of NZ depth when we rejoice about posters at the tail end of their careers returning home to strengthen squads.

We do need to get more experienced posters into the squads.

[Stargazer]

Robertson expects injured Crusaders Ethan Blackadder (shoulder), Cullen Grace (shoulder) and Jack Goodhue (knee) to be available in time for their round one clash with the Hurricanes in Chrsitchurch on February 19.

The news isn’t so good regarding tighthead prop Oli Jager, who requires neck surgery and is expected to miss the entire campaign.

Sad for Jager. He's already had a few injuries over the years. So the Crusaders will be looking for another TH prop.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300721330/it-was-tricky-crusaders-coach-scott-robertson-reflects-on-turbulent-offseason

[Chris]

@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2023:

Robertson expects injured Crusaders Ethan Blackadder (shoulder), Cullen Grace (shoulder) and Jack Goodhue (knee) to be available in time for their round one clash with the Hurricanes in Chrsitchurch on February 19.

The news isn’t so good regarding tighthead prop Oli Jager, who requires neck surgery and is expected to miss the entire campaign.

Sad for Jager. He's already had a few injuries over the years. So the Crusaders will be looking for another TH prop.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300721330/it-was-tricky-crusaders-coach-scott-robertson-reflects-on-turbulent-offseason

Seb Calder I would think.

[Mackerzzzz]

Top 23:?

1. G Bower
2. C Taylor
3. F Newell
4. S Whitelock
5. S Barrett
6. E Blackadder
7. T Christie
8. C Grace
9. M Drummond
10. R Mo'unga
11. L Fainga'anuku
12. D Havili
13. B Ennor
14. S Reece
15. W Jordan

16. B McAllister
17. J Moody
18. T Williams
19. Q Strange
20. C Lio-Willie
21. N Hotham
22. F Burke
23. C Fihaki

[Chris]

@Mackerzzzz said in Crusaders 2023:

Top 23:?

1. G Bower
2. C Taylor
3. F Newell
4. S Whitelock
5. S Barrett
6. E Blackadder
7. T Christie
8. C Grace
9. M Drummond
10. R Mo'unga
11. L Fainga'anuku
12. D Havili
13. B Ennor
14. S Reece
15. W Jordan

16. B McAllister
17. J Moody
18. T Williams
19. Q Strange
20. C Lio-Willie
21. N Hotham
22. F Burke
23. C Fihaki

very close I would think.

13 Goodhue
19 Gallagher
23 Ennor

[Crazy Horse]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2023:

@Mackerzzzz said in Crusaders 2023:

Top 23:?

1. G Bower
2. C Taylor
3. F Newell
4. S Whitelock
5. S Barrett
6. E Blackadder
7. T Christie
8. C Grace
9. M Drummond
10. R Mo'unga
11. L Fainga'anuku
12. D Havili
13. B Ennor
14. S Reece
15. W Jordan

16. B McAllister
17. J Moody
18. T Williams
19. Q Strange
20. C Lio-Willie
21. N Hotham
22. F Burke
23. C Fihaki

very close I would think.

13 Goodhue
19 Gallagher
23 Ennor

Yeah I read today Goodhue is expected to be ready, all going well of course.

[Daffy Jaffy]

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[cgrant]

Concerning the loose forwards, we may see Blackadder on the openside, with Gardiner on the blindside. At lock, I reckon Gallagher should probably leapfrog Strange in the pecking order.

[kiwi_expat]

You heard it first - Robertson to coach England with O'Gara in 2024:

Will Kelleher, Deputy Rugby Correspondent  /  Sport

Ronan O’Gara: The England job? Of course I’d be interested

Even in what is meant to be a week of high jinks coaching the Barbarians, Ronan O’Gara is fixated on success.The La Rochelle coach and Ireland great is sitting

[Stargazer]

@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders 2023:

You heard it first - Robertson to coach England with O'Gara in 2024:

Will Kelleher, Deputy Rugby Correspondent  /  Sport

Ronan O’Gara: The England job? Of course I’d be interested

Even in what is meant to be a week of high jinks coaching the Barbarians, Ronan O’Gara is fixated on success.The La Rochelle coach and Ireland great is sitting

Not sure how you can even remotely conclude that from this article about, and interview with, O'Gara. That other nations - including England - may be pursuing Robertson is nothing new and that Robertson and O'Gara like to work together isn't new either. Doesn't mean it will happen in 2024 and with England.

Hopefully NZR will do the right thing and appoint Robertson for the ABs after the 2023 RWC.

[kiwi_expat]

Doesn't mean it will happen in 2024 and with England.

search your feelings, you know it to be true..

[Stargazer]

This seems the best place to post this.

[ACT Crusader]

1 - J Moody
2 - C Taylor
3 - F Newell
4 - S Whitelock
5 - S Barrett
6 - D Gardiner
7 - E Blackadder
8 - C Grace
9 - M Drummond
10 - R Mo'unga
11 - L Fainga'anuku
12 - D Havili
13 - J Goodhue
14 - S Reece
15 - W Jordan

Bench
16 - B McAllister
17 - G Bower
18 - T Williams
19 - Q Strange
20 - T Christie
21 - W Heinz
22 - F Burke
23 - B Ennor

[Chris]

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders 2023:

1 - J Moody
2 - C Taylor
3 - F Newell
4 - S Whitelock
5 - S Barrett
6 - D Gardiner
7 - E Blackadder
8 - C Grace
9 - M Drummond
10 - R Mo'unga
11 - L Fainga'anuku
12 - D Havili
13 - J Goodhue
14 - S Reece
15 - W Jordan

Bench
16 - B McAllister
17 - G Bower
18 - T Williams
19 - Q Strange
20 - T Christie
21 - W Heinz
22 - F Burke
23 - B Ennor

Gallagher for Strange otherwise IMO the best 23

[Chris B.]

I reckon Jaeger and Hotham will get plenty of game time.

As elsewhere, I'd like to see Dunshea get time at 6.

[Kiwiwomble]

just give leo-willie back if you dont want him!

[Chris]

@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2023:

I reckon Jaeger and Hotham will get plenty of game time.

As elsewhere, I'd like to see Dunshea get time at 6.

Ollie Jager is out of SR just had neck surgery.

[Canes4life]

George Bell is on crutches aswell so not sure what he’s done.