Crusaders v Blues

[SBW1]

I assume this is being played in Christchurch.

[Kirwan]

@SBW1 Yes, it's at the paddock.

[Duluth]

So the Blues team should easy to guess this week in the backs and loosies. The first choice loose trio should start for the first time since round one (where it lasted for 25mins)

I assume Laulala is still injured? Is Tuipulotu back?

[george33]

@Duluth Patrick is back ,Nepo probably not but at this stage

[Bovidae]

More pressure on the Blues in this game I believe after losing to the Crusaders at home. Looking forward to the game.

[Kirwan]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders v Blues:

More pressure on the Blues in this game I believe after losing to the Crusaders at home. Looking forward to the game.

Normal pressure, winning in Crusaders-land is a tough task for any team. We are in a good spot in the table, so can drop this as long as we win the following weeks.

So we are underdogs, but have a couple of key players returning from injury so we have a good shot at this. Even with injuries, and not playing well, we've been close to the top teams.

Going to be a great game!

[Chris]

Maybe a lot of stop start rugby with a shit load of penalties for this game, with Nick Berry as the ref if he repeats his last couple of performances.
If so it will be a set piece battle.

[Duluth]

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 Sullivan

Reserves:
16 Kurt Eklund
17 Jordan Lay
18 James Lay
19 Cam Suafoa
20 Akira Ioane
21 Sam Nock
22 Bryce Heem
23 AJ Lam

Players not considered: Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Nepo Laulala (calf), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Tanielu Telea (knee)

[Duluth]

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

[mariner4life]

on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites

[Kirwan]

@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:

on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites

Not with the Crusaders home advantage and Jordan back.

[Stargazer]

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.

[KiwiMurph]

@mariner4life said in Crusaders v Blues:

on paper the blues deserve to be strong favourites

Blues tight 5 still looks vulnerable.

[Kirwan]

@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.

[Bovidae]

So much for a Gardiner vs Ioane matchup.

[mariner4life]

@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.

[Bovidae]

@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.

[Kirwan]

@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?

[Kirwan]

@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.

[Stargazer]

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).