Crusaders vs Sharks
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Match Crusaders v Sharks @ Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Referee Brendon Pickerill
AR1 Mike Fraser
AR2 James Munro
TMO Glenn Newman -
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.Veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has returned home from the team’s Australasian tour with an MCL injury to his left knee.
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Crusaders:
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor (vc)
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Mitchell Dunshea
5 Scott Barrett
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (c)
8 Kieran Read
9 Bryn Hall
10 Mitchell Hunt
11 George Bridge
12 Jack Goodhue (vc)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Sevu Reece
15 Will JordanReserves:
16 Ben Funnell
17 Isi Tu'ungafasi
18 Oliver Jager
19 Luke Romano
20 Ethan Blackadder
21 Mitch Drummond
22 Brett Cameron
23 Tim Bateman -
Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Mitch Hunt, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd (captain), Jordan Taufua, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Tim Bateman
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Some interesting comments by Razor in that article. Obviously Ennor,Goodhue looking like 2020 mid field for The Crusaders.
VC Taylor and Goodhue preparing players for leadership roles. Seems to point to Razor's thinking come 2020 Captain decision.
And probability Goodhue and Ennor to resign with the Crusaders. -
@Stargazer said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
11 George Bridge
12 Jack Goodhue (vc)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Sevu Reece
15 Will JordanArguably the most exciting backline the Crusaders have fielded in years.
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@Canes4life all round pretty amazing team sheet, even with several AB's crocked/rested! It'll be a slaughter!
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@Canes4life Exactly what I thought. I wondered whether Goodhue/Ennor was at the request of Shag?
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@Jailbreak7 said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
@Canes4life Exactly what I thought. I wondered whether Goodhue/Ennor was at the request of Shag?
Because he's got a distinct lack of quality 12s running around NZ rugby so decided to add another into the mix?
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
Razor is being adventurous haha.
Mo'unga still needed a mandatory break, so I guess this is it. Glad Hunt is starting and not Cameron. Havili getting a rest, too.
Will be interesting to see how we go with Richie not there. Mitch Hunt has done pretty well in steering the ship in his absence in previous seasons, but in my view Mo'unga is the most crucial part of the machine.
Looks like Razor is employing a bit of rotation in the outside backs. I think Havili had played the most consecutive games in the outside backs, so his turn for a rest. Might be Sevu next week.
Razor getting his commitments to the AB selectors out of the way early - though I guess Moody, Taylor, Read and Bridge all still need a rest somewhere in this stretch of seven games. Moody the only one that's problematic!
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
@Stargazer said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
Razor is being adventurous haha.
Mo'unga still needed a mandatory break, so I guess this is it. Glad Hunt is starting and not Cameron. Havili getting a rest, too.
I guess Moody, Taylor, Read and Bridge all still need a rest somewhere in this stretch of seven games. Moody the only one that's problematic!
All of them have been out with injury for several weeks; I wonder whether they count for the mandatory ABs rest weeks?
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@Stargazer We'll find out, but I'd tend to think the limitation on consecutive games applies.
In any case, I don't think it will be a problem to find a spot to rest Bridge, Read and Taylor. There are guys baying for their chances! Interesting Makalio doesn't appear on the bench this week - he's not injured is he?
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
@Stargazer said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
Razor is being adventurous haha.
Mo'unga still needed a mandatory break, so I guess this is it. Glad Hunt is starting and not Cameron. Havili getting a rest, too.
Will be interesting to see how we go with Richie not there. Mitch Hunt has done pretty well in steering the ship in his absence in previous seasons, but in my view Mo'unga is the most crucial part of the machine.
Looks like Razor is employing a bit of rotation in the outside backs. I think Havili had played the most consecutive games in the outside backs, so his turn for a rest. Might be Sevu next week.
Razor getting his commitments to the AB selectors out of the way early - though I guess Moody, Taylor, Read and Bridge all still need a rest somewhere in this stretch of seven games. Moody the only one that's problematic!
We have looked dicey at best without Richie running the cutter this season. From my armchair it looks to be a combination of things too - standing deeper, not varying the play, lacking a bit of confidence, and one major factor, they’re just not as good 😎
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@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders vs Sharks:
We have looked dicey at best without Richie running the cutter this season.
This applies to the All Blacks too
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Why is this muppet Pickerall even officiating at this level..?..never seen game that he refs that has any flow.
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Mo'unga's absence showing up already.
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Reado looks off the pace and seems to have the arm-waving movement going on
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Too many silly errors and knock-ons from the Crusaders.
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@Canes4life don’t know if it’s because he’s missing.
To me the Sharks big boppers are waiting in midfield for the predictable Crusaders forward runners and shitting them down.
Change of tactics required.
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was that lazy Laulala running back to the Sharks 9 following him
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piss poor lineout throw
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@Gunner I think for me Mo'unga is so good at reading a rush defence and his decision making always opens up space for the Crusaders when they have no right to exploit it. Hunt just doesn't have that ability.
I agree though, Crusaders are losing the forward battle atm which I'm suprised by.
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Have to admit there are some big shots coming in from the Sharks. They are really barring up tonight.
