SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders
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@cantab79 said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
As for Tom Sanders at 7, whilst that's a genuinely unusual selection, it's not like we have much of a choice. Tom Christie is out for the season, and Sione Havili Talitui has struggled in the past two matches. Robertson clearly wants to get Sanders into the starting XV and no.7 was the best for him this week. I'm actually excited to see how he goes at openside.
Similar size and shape to Papali'i
Sanders brings some ball carrying to the backrow that it has been lacking (apart from Blackadder)
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@duluth said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@cantab79 said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
As for Tom Sanders at 7, whilst that's a genuinely unusual selection, it's not like we have much of a choice. Tom Christie is out for the season, and Sione Havili Talitui has struggled in the past two matches. Robertson clearly wants to get Sanders into the starting XV and no.7 was the best for him this week. I'm actually excited to see how he goes at openside.
Similar size and shape to Papali'i
Sanders brings some ball carrying to the backrow that it has been lacking (apart from Blackadder)
To be fair, we've lacked effective ball carrying backrowers for years. If you look at the Crusaders' squads over the past few seasons, they haven't contracted big, strong ball runners in the Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u/Akira Ioane mould. Scott Roberston tends to favour hard working, tighter loose forwards. And winning four titles in a row arguably affirms the type of backrowers that he has selected.
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@duluth said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@cantab79 said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
As for Tom Sanders at 7, whilst that's a genuinely unusual selection, it's not like we have much of a choice. Tom Christie is out for the season, and Sione Havili Talitui has struggled in the past two matches. Robertson clearly wants to get Sanders into the starting XV and no.7 was the best for him this week. I'm actually excited to see how he goes at openside.
Similar size and shape to Papali'i
Sanders brings some ball carrying to the backrow that it has been lacking (apart from Blackadder)
Yeah very close Saunders 190cm 110kg Papalii 193cm 114kg
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@duluth said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
I think the mix has been better in previous years. Some of that is related to the form of the players
Form is definitely a key consideration. What has really thrown off our backrow balance is the loss of Tom Christie.
In terms of ball runners, the Crusaders use Codie Taylor in this role more often than their backrowers. And I think he's done a good job in attack this year. I'd argue he's impressed more with ball in hand in 2021 than some of more well-regarded ball running forwards such as Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu and Mika'ele-Tu'u.
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Ok Chiefs, the Saders are there for the taking. I am watching live and Razor has picked a tight five to give you a chance. It is the perfect storm. Don't choke!
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@crazy-horse said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
Ok Chiefs, the Saders are there for the taking. I am watching live and Razor has picked a tight five to give you a chance. It is the perfect storm. Don't choke!
Worst bait ever. Saders by 18.
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@gt12 said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@crazy-horse said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
Ok Chiefs, the Saders are there for the taking. I am watching live and Razor has picked a tight five to give you a chance. It is the perfect storm. Don't choke!
Worst bait ever. Saders by 18.
Yeah I was never much chop at fishing.
But seriously, I reckon the Chiefs have a good chance. Something has been off with the Saders recently. Maybe the fresh legs will help.
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I think our set piece won’t be good enough to get enough quality ball to win, even with the depowered Saders pack
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Interesting scrum
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How blind is this ref?
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Chiefs looking good so far ball in hand
