Blues v Crusaders

[Duluth]

I assume Tuipulotu will mss this match?

Patrick would be the player that the Blues could least afford to be injured. Particularly after Darry's pre-season injury

So what happens at lock? Tucker & Suafoa in the second row with cover from Robinson? Or do they risk bringing one of the dev team locks into the 23? Beehre or Craig?

[Bovidae]

@Duluth

grade 2 MCL, four weeks

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300829427/leon-macdonald-believes-blues-building-nicely-ahead-of-visit-from-wounded-crusaders

[Duluth]

Ok, with Patrick out for that long I would be tempted to get Beehre involved now. Maybe even look at a 6/2 split to keep the inexperienced locks fresh

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth I think they are better leaving Tom at 6, while he is good enough at lock, he is a better 6 and I think they need to start developing the guys they have, given Suafoa is probably in the same boat as Tom.

[SBW1]

@taniwharugby GF replay, Blues will want payback while the Saders really need to play themselves back into some form. Seems like they are a bit up and down this year.

[ACT Crusader]

@Duluth Blues injury concerns pfft, it’s only the Crusaders…

Hopefully the Saders 9/10 combination can fire up.

[Tim]

Blues tight five depth has been exposed by injuries, Eklund still has nightmares about last year's finals. Crusaders to take this one. The playoffs might be a different story though. Huge game for Tucker.

[Kirwan]

Game will be won or lost on the lineout, similar to the GF. And without Patrick and Eklund having the yips, it's going to take a herculean effort to get up, even with the Crusaders being in a similar position with their lack of depth being exposed by the Drua.

Will be a cracking game.

[Chris]

My pick for the Crusaders team **NOT THE OFFICIAL TEAM

Taylor
Moody
Williams
Whitelock
Barrett
Christie
Blackadder
Lilo-Wille
Drummond
Moun'ga
Fainga'anuku
McLeod
Ennor
Reece
Burke/Fihaki

Reserves
McDonald
Bower
Calder
Gallagher
Havilli
Heinz
Burke/Finaki
Springer

[Chris]

Blues supporters will know more but I read somewhere that Perofeta maybe in doubt with a foot or ankle injury.

[nzzp]

@Tim got to have maul defence and good set piece. Neither up to scratch this year, I'm expecting a crusaders win unless a miracle happens

[george33]

@Chris yes zarn Sullivan on stand by but think he b close

[Chris]

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Tim got to have maul defence and good set piece. Neither up to scratch this year, I'm expecting a crusaders win unless a miracle happens

Geez I am expecting an easy win for the Blues,I thought the Blues looked like they were getting their game together.
Crusaders look under done and heaps of key injuries, not claiming under dog status here but I genuinely believe the Blues by 10 or 15.

[Duluth]

PAPALII CALLS ON HOME FANS FOR GRAND FINAL REMATCH — Blues Rugby

The Blues are back in front of home fans at Eden Park this weekend for a rematch of last season’s DHL Super Rugby final against the Crusaders on Saturday, March 18 at 7:05pm.  The match doubles as a reunion for the 2003 Blues team and a chance to celebrate 20 years since their own Super Ru

1 Alex Hodgman
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 James Lay
4 James Tucker
5 Cameron Suafoa
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Stephen Perofeta (50 Blues games)

Reserves:
16 Soane Vikena
17 Jordan Lay
18 Nepo Laulala
19 Tom Robinson
20 Taine Plumtree
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Bryce Heem
23 Zarn Sullivan

Players not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Joshua Fusitu’a (ribs), Akira Ioane (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Patrick Tuipulotu (knee), Ofa Tuungafasi (concussion).

[nzzp]

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

I genuinely believe the Blues by 10 or 15.

Not with our tight 5. 6+ we should be good, but it's up front I'm worried.

Still going along though!

[nzzp]

@Duluth Zarn at last at 23!

[Chris]

Squad Naming: Round Four vs Blues

[Duluth]

Choat has been playing well off the bench.

It'll be interesting to see which side of the scrum the flankers pack. Papali'i has been blindside when Choat is on the field. I suspect the number on the back don't mean much

Robinson covering lock. Doing that from the bench is better than starting at 6 and then moving forward

[Bovidae]

Eklund won't be misfiring with his thrown-ins this week!

[george33]

@Duluth choat like a modern day rambo this boy I now tuff as but still gotta put it out there