Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF
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Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (vc)
8 Kieran Read
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 Ryan Crotty (vc)
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Seta Tamanivalu
15 David HaviliReserves
16 Andrew Makalio
17 Tim Perry
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano
20 Pete Samu
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor.
BNZ Crusaders team named for Super Rugby Semi Final against the Hurricanes
The BNZ Crusaders will host the Hurricanes this Saturday night in the Investec Super Rugby Semi Final, from AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Head Coach Scott Robertson has named his team for the match, and there is just one change from the starting XV that took the field against the Sharks in the Quarter Final last weekend. The Crusaders' welcome the return of All Blacks' prop Joe Moody, who has recovered from injury to start at loosehead prop. Fellow All Blacks' front-rower Tim Perry will provide cover on the bench. Robertson said there is no shortage of excitement in camp in the build up to this match: "This game is going to be huge, it doesn't get any bigger than a New Zealand derby match in the knockout stages of Super Rugby. "Everyone who has worn the jersey for us this season has performed so this was the hardest team to name because of the great depth we have in our squad. Joe has worked extremely hard to get back in time for Finals footy, and he joins a powerful forward pack, who are ready for the challenge on Saturday night. "It's always a privilege to play at home, but to host a Semi Final in front of our fans adds another level of anticipation and pride to the mix. Our fans have been right behind us all season and we're excited to once again play for them in this week's Semi Final," Robertson said. -
Hurricanes
1 Toby Smith
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
4 Michael Fatialofa
5 Sam Lousi
6 Brad Shields
7 Gareth Evans
8 Blade Thomson
9 TJ Perenara
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Ben Lam
12 Ngani Laumape
13 Jordie Barrett
14 Julian Savea
15 Nehe Milner-SkudderReserves
16 James O'Reilly
17 Chris Eves
18 Ben May
19 Vaea Fifita
20 Ardie Savea / Reed Prinsep
21 Jamie Booth
22 Ihaia West
23 Wes Goosen.
HURRICANES NAMED UNCHANGED SIDE FOR SEMI-FINAL
The Hurricanes have named an unchanged starting XV to head south for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Christchurch's AMI Stadium. After defeating the Chiefs 32-31 in last week's quarter-final, Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has resisted the temptation to change a winning combination as they prepare to take on the defending champions. The bench is also settled, although there is potential for one change with Ardie Savea bracketed with Reed Prinsep. Savea has not played since he suffered a high ankle sprain in the All Blacks third test against France on June 23. Boyd said Savea had worked extremely hard to return to the Hurricanes campaign and a decision on whether he would take his place in the match day squad would be made later in the week. He was pleased with how the squad had prepared and played against the Chiefs but he recognised the challenge the Crusaders would provide the team. Saturday's semi-final will be prop Toby Smith's 100th Super Rugby match having represented the Chiefs and the Rebels before arriving at the Hurricanes. "Toby is one of those guys who just goes about his work without fuss or fanfare but he has been a really important factor in the Hurricanes this season," Boyd said. "We certainly congratulate him on becoming the latest Hurricanes player to reach the milestone." -
No Crockzilla!
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battle of the Great White Hypes at 13
That Crusaders 15 is ridiculous actually.
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Compare position to position in both 23s, it'd come out almost 20 for the Saders!
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Weather forecast looks good - let's hope people actually show up to the game this week!
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Combined 23
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Jordan Taufua/Brad Shields?
7 Matt Todd
8 Kieran Read
9 TJ Perenara
10 Beaudy Barrett
11 George Bridge/Ben lam?
12 Ryan Crotty/Ngani Laumape?
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Seta Tamanivalu
15 David Havili (I'd take Jordie Barrett here, but he's 13)
Reserves
16 Andrew Makalio
17 Tim Perry
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano/Fafita?
20 Ardie Savea (may not be fit)
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor -
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
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@machpants said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Compare position to position in both 23s, it'd come out almost 20 for the Saders!
Agree unfortunately. I hope they remember to use lube .
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@jegga said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Compare position to position in both 23s, it'd come out almost 20 for the Saders!
Agree unfortunately. I hope they remember to use lube .
I suspect this will be ugly. Fark I wish we had Broadhurst (poor bastard) and Coles. Wouldn't make a huge difference but would give the forwards a few weapons.
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Yup, Crusaders by 30+
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
I would tend to agree, however any flyhalf who can't perform behind that pack should be shot.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
I would tend to agree, however any flyhalf who can't perform behind that pack should be shot.
ditto for the halfback
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@sammyc said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
No Crockzilla!
That must have been the toughest call. Maybe alongside Ennor or Mataele if Manasa is fit?
Good to see that Big Seta is available to play.
I heard someone on the radio saying that the Crusaders have something like 450 test caps in their starting forward pack and the Canes have three (should actually be at least nine including Toby Smith).
Balance not quite so slanted in the Canes favour in the backs, but it will be getting there if Crotty hobbles off early.
Crusaders need to temper their early enthusiasm with intelligence. Need to play considerably better and with less infringements than last week's first half if they want to win this.
This is probably the hardest game the Crusaders will face in the play-offs. I don't see any team flying over the Indian Ocean to victory - unless it is the Waratahs to play in Sydney... but, they've already flown over it!
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I guess this is the end of Dagg's AB hopes. (forever??)
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@frank For this year, yes. Forever? Possibly, but not necessarily. It all depends on how he plays next season and whether he can stay injury free.
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Boyd's attitude about Jordie at 13 is in direct contrast to the tough calls that Razor has been making.
It comes across as 'he wants to play there and he's kind of OK, I prefer him at 15 but will give him a go'. It smacks of trying to fit the names in rather than planning the best balance. -
@crucial it’s a little surprising but other than Goosen, who is a better winger in my view, what are the options?
I think Savea shouldn’t be starting and NMS should play wing and Jordie at fullback. Goosen moves to centre. But that won’t work because that leaves Savea for the bench and I don’t think that’s what they want.
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Goosen, who is a better winger
Not a good wing IMO. Better centre.
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There would/could have been another option, if the Canes, like the Chiefs, Crusaders & Highlanders, would have given more game time to rookies during the regular season. I may have mentioned a player a few times on the Fern. Promising centre/winger.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
There would/could have been another option, if the Canes, like the Chiefs, Crusaders & Highlanders, would have given more game time to rookies during the regular season. I may have mentioned a player a few times on the Fern. Promising centre/winger.
Umaga-Jensen?
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@pukunui No, IIRC, PU-J is a fullback but they played him at 12 in his one and only game this season. I was referring to Jonah Lowe, whose preferred position is centre, but he can play at both wings.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@pukunui No, IIRC, PU-J is a fullback but they played him at 12 in his one and only game this season. I was referring to Jonah Lowe, whose preferred position is centre, but he can play at both wings.
Sorry, lame joke.
I agree that it's crazy Lowe didn't get more time this season given the injuries they have had in midfield. Moving Jordie from his best position and playing a back three of Lam/NMS/Jules hasn't worked. -
@crucial said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Boyd's attitude about Jordie at 13 is in direct contrast to the tough calls that Razor has been making.
Yeah Razor with those tough calls to make - 'Gee how do i fit all these ABs into the 23 this week? Oh I can't - Dagg and Crockett won't make it this week'
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
Imagine Beaudy behind the Crusaders pack.
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@antipodean said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@act-crusader said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@machpants I’d take Mo’unga’s form over Barrett’s this season.
Imagine Beaudy behind the Crusaders pack.
Yeah it’s his AB form circa 2018...mmm...
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Hard to show form when you're not on the field.
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@act-crusader Good to see that the movement is there for a completely untested Super-Rugby player to overtake a very good test player. Is it Damien McKenzie? Or is it someone else?
Even better things will happen when Tim Perry is comically included in the All Blacks, and people take a performance against the 2nd tier nation France as proof that Scott Barrett is a test lock.
Look forward to big test match performances from Luke Whitelock and Liam Squire too. Maybe fit in Ardie Savea as well.
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Canes backs might hold their own with decent ball. But they are going to get dicked in the forwards and live off scraps. I don't see this going very well....
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@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@crucial said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Boyd's attitude about Jordie at 13 is in direct contrast to the tough calls that Razor has been making.
Yeah Razor with those tough calls to make - 'Gee how do i fit all these ABs into the 23 this week? Oh I can't - Dagg and Crockett won't make it this week'
It's like the Ricky Ponting captaincy dilemma.
"Shit, i need a wicket, who do i toss the ball to, Warnie or McGrath?"
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Razor has to be next AB coach doesn't he? The Saders were arse raped by the Canes in 2016. He's turned that round and he's done it with frequent injuries to his best players.
Surely there's no farking way Foster could get the nod over him even with Shag's blessing.
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I seem to remember another Saders coach, with an even better record, who didn't get the ABs gig instead of one of the cureent team. What was his name? Rob the Roo? Dingo Dane? Anyway....
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Razor has to be next AB coach doesn't he?
Well, there is Joe Schmidt too.
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@rancid-schnitzel he must surely be on the higher honours radar. Though they may want to see if he's another Rennie. Great intially but then couldn't crack the big one once other teams figure them out.
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@toddy said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@rancid-schnitzel he must surely be on the higher honours radar. Though they may want to see if he's another Rennie. Great intially but then couldn't crack the big one once other teams figure them out.
rancid bait is smelly
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@tim said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@rancid-schnitzel said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Razor has to be next AB coach doesn't he?
Well, there is Joe Schmidt too.
Gatling too....
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@tim said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
@rancid-schnitzel said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Razor has to be next AB coach doesn't he?
Well, there is Joe Schmidt too.
Actually there are a few. All of whom are much better than the mediocre backs coach who appears to be being groomed for the top job.
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@darren-nicholson said in Crusaders v Hurricanes - SF:
Canes backs might hold their own with decent ball. But they are going to get dicked in the forwards and live off scraps. I don't see this going very well....
The Canes backs have lost their striking power since they lost Vince Aso and Matt Proctor.
