Blues vs Crusaders

[Gunner]

Pretty good Blues line up, with plenty of firepower on the bench too.

The Blues obsession with M Collins continues.

[taniwharugby]

@Gunner well Collins was selected by Tana and now MacDonald, a former FB, 2 coaches now see something in him...or just last man standing at 15

[Duluth]

@Gunner said in Blues vs Crusaders:

The Blues obsession with M Collins continues.

Not a surprise. I don't recall Trainor playing in the pre-season (maybe injured?)

The 15 used were Perofeta (injured) and Collins

Looking at the Blues A side the fullback is Hawaii Ahokovi who hasn't played NPC yet

[KiwiMurph]

There is really no other option for 15 at the moment with Duffie, Trainor and Perofeta all injured.

Very happy to see Ruru at 9.

Hopefully the starting front row does not get munched.

Very excited to see how the Blues look under the new coaches.

[Stargazer]

Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Quinten Strange
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (C)
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 Ryan Crotty (VC)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Manasa Mataele
15 David Havili

RESERVES
16 Ben Funnell
17 Tim Perry
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano
20 Tom Sanders
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Will Jordan*

*denotes Investec Super Rugby debut

https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1301-bnz-crusaders-team-named-for-super-rugby-opener-at-eden-park

[taniwharugby]

strong line up even sans a few AB starters!

[Stargazer]

Confirmed in the article below: Jack Goodhue out with a slight groin strain and Ethan Blackadder with a shoulder injury.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110586511/super-rugby-crusaders-coach-scott-robertson-unleashing-his-all-blacks-against-blues

[Tim]

Any word on when Ere Enari will be ready to play? Scott Robinson has been talking him up a lot in preseason.

[Stargazer]

@Tim He has already played during preseason, but he's the 3rd halfback, so will have to wait until they'll rest Hall or Drummond (or one of them gets injured).

[Machpants]

Really looking forward to this match. Hopefully not too much rustiness

[African Monkey]

@Crazy-Horse Well considering we haven't made the finals since 2011, I feel like we have every right to be pessimistic. Tough start for us and I feel we'll be competitive in this game but the Crusaders will probably get up in a close one. Crusaders by 4.

[chimoaus]

@Stargazer said in Blues vs Crusaders:

Whetukamokamo Douglas

Is this the longest first name in super rugby?

I am really looking forward to this one. Probably the best time for the Blues to meet the Crusaders. Whilst pre season means shit they have been scoring tries and lots of experience in the side.

[Bones]

@chimoaus said in Blues vs Crusaders:

@Stargazer said in Blues vs Crusaders:

Whetukamokamo Douglas

Is this the longest first name in super rugby?

I am really looking forward to this one. Probably the best time for the Blues to meet the Crusaders. Whilst pre season means shit they have been scoring tries and lots of experience in the side.

Probably goes by the moniker "2".

[pakman]

@Stargazer said in Blues vs Crusaders:

Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Quinten Strange
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (C)
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 Ryan Crotty (VC)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Manasa Mataele
15 David Havili

RESERVES
16 Ben Funnell
17 Tim Perry
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano
20 Tom Sanders
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Will Jordan*

*denotes Investec Super Rugby debut

https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1301-bnz-crusaders-team-named-for-super-rugby-opener-at-eden-park

As ACT intimated, weak side there for Blues taking.

[Crucial]

Only 10.5 ABs in that 23.

[shark]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Crusaders:

There is really no other option for 15 at the moment with Duffie, Trainor and Perofeta all injured.

Very happy to see Ruru at 9.

Hopefully the starting front row does not get munched.

Very excited to see how the Blues look under the new coaches.

Nanai. And find another winger.

[shark]

Speaking of fullbacks though, I really can't wait to see Will Jordan at this level. Looks like he's probably covering the back three and his buddy Havili'i will have to move into midfield in the event of injury. We look a little thin on cover from 12 out.

[Kirwan]

@shark said in Blues vs Crusaders:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Crusaders:

There is really no other option for 15 at the moment with Duffie, Trainor and Perofeta all injured.

Very happy to see Ruru at 9.

Hopefully the starting front row does not get munched.

Very excited to see how the Blues look under the new coaches.

Nanai. And find another winger.

Nanai plays much better on wing, and deserves a run of games in his preferred position. Better for the team to get him up his full potential, he was huge for Auckland.

[Duluth]

@Kirwan

Yeah Nanai isn't a serious option for fullback anymore. He was OK there at NPC level a few years ago, but he doesn't really play there anymore

For example, last year Auckland used Trainor, Umaga and Rayasi at fullback but kept Nanai on the wing

[antipodean]

Fox Sports hyping the Blues before the game has started. At this rate the season will be a failure if they're scored against.