Crusaders v Blues
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1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Leni Apisai, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Blake Gibson
, 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane, 14 Caleb Clarke, 15 Melani Nanai.Reserves: 16 James Parsons, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Lua Li, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Levi Aumua
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Karl Tu’inukuafe (illness), Sam Nock (hand), Matt Moulds (hand), Jed Brown (hamstring), Dalton Papalii (concussion),Tanielu Tele’a (foot).
https://blues.rugby/blues-look-to-test-themselves-against-champions/
The Blues are excited to test themselves against the best when they travel to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders in their Investec Super Rugby clash on Saturday. Coach Leon MacDonald said while the Blues had played well in their closely-fought loss to the Super Rugby Champions in the opening game, that the Crusaders had gone on to again set the standard in the competition. While many are billing the match as crucial, the Blues are not letting themselves become outcome-focussed. “We have had the same approach every game and that is to strive to produce quality performances and to improve every week,” said coach Leon MacDonald. “If you put on a performance of quality over 80 minutes, then positive results are likely to follow, and we are getting closer to achieving that. “We know that we will need to be at our very best against the Crusaders. Just like the people of the region, they know how to dig deep in times of adversity, and so we know what to expect.” An in-form Leni Apisai gets his second start, joining props Alex Hodgman and Ofa Tuungafasi, who both impressed with full 80-minute displays last week. Resilient young No 8 Akira Ioane will make his 31st straight Super start in the loose forward trio with co-captain Blake Gibson and standout rookie Tom Robinson. The unchanged backline is a blend of impressive young prospects like Caleb Clarke and Harry Plummer with the experience of Ma’a Nonu, the competition’s most experienced player.
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Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Karl Tu’inukuafe (illness), Sam Nock (hand), Matt Moulds (hand), Jed Brown (hamstring), Dalton Papalii (concussion),Tanielu Tele’a (foot).
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Sucks about Papalii but excellent to see Sotutu on the bench for a potential debut.
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no mention of Goodhue, he was out last week for concussion wasnt he?
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@taniwharugby correct.
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Leni Apisai coming in to start at hooker with Matt Moulds done for the season (and his Blues career) with a hand injury.
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@KiwiMurph From that article:
But Umaga is pretty sure they won't see a Crusaders side with visible cracks from the inquiry that has been launched over the off-field incidents, even if they will be missing All Blacks skipper Kieran Read from their pack this week as he takes a designated rest to coincide with the stinger he picked up in Cape Town.
I'm not so sure. The Crusaders were very rattled after the Chch terror attack; this will affect at least the players concerned, and one of them is probably the most important player in their team.
And no Read.
If there's one week in which the Blues have a good chance of beating the Saders, it's this week.
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Sonny Bill Williams is still a week away from returning post his knee scope
Tom Robinson – providing he shakes off a tender knee that was being iced post-Thursday's hitout
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Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.
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Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (vc)
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 Ryan Crotty
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Sevu Reece
15 David HaviliReserves:
16 Brodie McAlister*
17 Isi Tu'ungafasi
18 George Bower
19 Luke Romano
20 Ethan Blackadder
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.Pull your pants down, Blues. This may tickle a little
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@KiwiMurph Oh snap.
How do the media always manage to find the worst photos of players? I'm sure they do it on purpose.
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@Hooroo 57 points worth of tickling?
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@Tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Hooroo 57 points worth of tickling?
It will be some sorta ticklin, make no mistake.
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@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.Pull your pants down, Blues. This may tickle a little
I thought it would pinch?
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Crusaders team looks weak...
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Looks Strong enough to me with Moodey back. Read Missing but Douglas has been one of our best players this season.Great to Brodie McAlister get a run he's a talented young hooker.
The only Question Mark for me is Head Space after all the pathetic allegations (which seems to have no substance) that have been thrown at the team.
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Most interesting feature, perhaps, is the bench props.
Bower and Tuúngafasi supplanting Allan and Jager.
A few weeks ago there were Moody, Taylor, Read and Bridge still to do rests in this period between our byes. Just George left to rest, I think - perhaps waiting for Jordan to be back on board?
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@Chris-B Bridge has missed several games due to injury. Do they count?
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@Stargazer Did he miss those since our bye? If so, I've just forgotten he didn't play.
If not, I think he has to miss one to avoid playing a streak of seven games.
