Crusaders v Blues
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IOANE MILESTONE LOOMS AS PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP — Blues Rugby
Loose-forward Akira Ioane lines up to play his 100th Blues match this Saturday against the Crusaders in Christchurch as the Super Rugby Pacific playoff race starts to intensify. The Blues are out for retribution after going down 34-28 in the corresponding fixture in Round Four at Eden Park. The vi
1 Ofa Tuungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Marcel Renata
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Sam Darry
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Harry Plummer
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Zarn SullivanReserves:
16 Kurt Eklund
17 Jordan Lay
18 James Lay
19 Cam Suafoa
20 Akira Ioane
21 Sam Nock
22 Bryce Heem
23 AJ LamPlayers not considered: Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Nepo Laulala (calf), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Tanielu Telea (knee)
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Will Jordan, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Oli Jager, Zach Gallagher, Sione Havili Talitui, Noah Hotham, Fergus Burke, Jack Goodhue
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on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
Not with the Crusaders home advantage and Jordan back.
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Fainga’anuku and Jager mark 50 Games in Blues Showdown
The Crusaders have named their side to face the Blues in Christchurch in Round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific. The boys are back at home again on Saturday 13 May in front of what’s looking like a sell-out crowd at Orangetheory Stadium.
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
Blues tight 5 still looks vulnerable.
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
Blues tight 5 still looks vulnerable.
It's a big game for Renata for sure, and Ofa still on the wrong side. Bolstered with Patrick back though.
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@Kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
Not with the Crusaders home advantage and Jordan back.
lol scrambling for the underdog status is unseemly.
That Blues starting backline and bench is significantly better, and the loosies are very strong. The only place i give the saders the advantage is in the tight 5.
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
The only place i give the saders the advantage is in the tight 5.
The Blues should have an advantage in the scrum once the props are replaced.
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites
Not with the Crusaders home advantage and Jordan back.
lol scrambling for the underdog status is unseemly.
That Blues starting backline and bench is significantly better, and the loosies are very strong. The only place i give the saders the advantage is in the tight 5.
Not scrambling, being realistic. I don't think it's true that the Blues are favourites, and gave my reasons.
Do you not think Jordan is a factor, or home advantage?
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders v Blues:
@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:
The only place i give the saders the advantage is in the tight 5.
The Blues should have an advantage in the scrum once the props are replaced.
I think that's the plan for Akira as well, they want to finish strong.
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
The Crusaders are still missing way too many players to be favourites (particularly Newell, Whitelock, Blackadder and Reece as starters, and Bower on the bench).
Hodgeman, Laulala and Perofeta out for us. Both sides are affected by injuries.
Where's your normal Crusader confidence?
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@Kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Chris said in Crusaders v Blues:
Looks like a sell out for this game.
Nice! Is the weather as shit down there as it is here (we just had hail)
Sunny 14c atm,
Looks good for Saturday -
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Blues have yet to win against another top 4 team this year (Chiefs away loss, Brumbies neutral ground loss, Crusaders home loss).
See, definitely not favourites
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@mariner4life Our front row has been a real weakness this year, especially with Hodgman out and Eklund out of form.
Crusaders are solid favourites at the TAB:
Crusaders $1.47
Blues $2.70
