SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders
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Crusaders
1 George Bower
2 Brodie McAlister
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Mitchell Dunshea
5 Quinten Strange
6 Scott Barrett (C)
7 Tom Sanders
8 Ethan Blackadder
9 Mitchell Drummond*
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 David Havili (VC)
13 Leicester Fainga'anuku
14 Sevu Reece
15 Will JordanRESERVES:
16 Codie Taylor (VC)
17 Isileli Tu'ungafasi
18 Oliver Jager
19 Luke Romano
20 Sione Havili Talitui
21 Bryn Hall
22 Dallas McLeod
23 Manasa MataeleThe Crusaders will celebrate another big milestone this week, with halfback Mitch Drummond set to become the 20th Crusader to play 100 games for the club. The 27-year-old will lead the team out on to the field in Hamilton on Saturday night, notching up the achievement in his eighth season of Super Rugby. Head Coach Scott Robertson has made multiple changes to the side this week, following their thrilling golden-point win over the Hurricanes in Round 7. Captain Scott Barrett is the only forward to remain in the starting side to face the Chiefs, and will move to the blindside. George Bower, Brodie McAlister and Michael Alaalatoa complete an all-new front row, while Mitch Dunshea and Quinten Strange have been given the nod as the starting locks. Following a successful return from injury last week, Tom Sanders will wear the number 7 jersey against the Chiefs, and Ethan Blackadder is back after being rested last week with a neck injury. There are just two changes in the backs this week, with Drummond to start, and Leicester Fainga'anuku replacing Jack Goodhue in the midfield, who injured his left knee against the Hurricanes. Goodhue will require surgery, and is not expected to be available for any further rugby in 2021. Isileli Tu'ungafasi, Luke Romano and Manasa Mataele could all make their first appearance in Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for the 2021 season, having been named in the reserves. -
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Gallagher Chiefs:
- Aidan Ross (40) (Te Puke Sports)
- Samisoni Taukei’aho (41) (Fraser Tech)
- Angus Ta’avao (40) (Eden Rugby Club)
- Tupou Vaa’i (11) (New Plymouth Old Boys)
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi (17) (Marist St Pats)
- Mitchell Brown (50) (Inglewood)
- Lachlan Boshier (56) (New Plymouth Old Boys)
- Luke Jacobson (30) (Hautapu Rugby Club)
- Brad Weber (90) (c) (Dunedin Rugby Club)
- Damian McKenzie (89) (Varsity Hamilton)
- Etene Nanai-Seturo (18) (Karaka Rugby Club)
- Alex Nankivell (35) (Hautapu Rugby Club)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (86) (Varsity Hamilton)
- Jonah Lowe (3) (Clive Rugby Club)
- Chase Tiatia (4) (Rangataua Rugby Club)
Reserves:
16. Nathan Harris (58) (Te Puke Sports)
17. Ollie Norris (8) (Hautapu Rugby Club)
18. Sione Mafileo (2) (North Shore Rugby Club)
19. Pita Gus Sowakula (30) (Spotswood United)
20. Kaylum Boshier (2) (New Plymouth Old Boys)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (42) (Rotoiti)
22. Bryn Gatland (2) (Hamilton Old Boys)
23. Sean Wainui (41) (New Plymouth Old Boys)() = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets
*denotes Gallagher Chiefs debut
**denotes Sky Super Rugby debutUnavailable for selection:
Atu Moli (hips), Laghlan McWhannell (knee), Sam Cane (shoulder/pectoral), Simon Parker (foot), Quinn Tupaea (knee). -
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McMillan confirmed the switch was not injury-related, with Kaleb Trask – who has started the past three fixtures at No 10 – available despite leaving the park gingerly early in the second half of the golden-point win over the Highlanders in Dunedin last Saturday night..
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This appears to be the reason why Dmac is playing at 10:
As has been the case throughout the season for other players, first five Kaleb Trask’s inability to train at the beginning of the week due to minor injury sustained against the Blues means he’s missed out on the 23 after impressing in the Chiefs’ three wins.
Chiefs shift Damian McKenzie for Crusaders clash while Lachlan Boshier makes first appearance for the year
Clayton McMillan has made four changes to his starting Chiefs side for their clash in Hamilton with the table-topping Crusaders, including shifting All Black Damian McKenzie from fullback to first five.
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Chiefs for the upset?
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@crazy-horse said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@crucial said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@act-crusader said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@crucial said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@mariner4life said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@act-crusader said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
@gt12 said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
Crusaders by a thousand.
We’ve had three good wins and they’ve had two tough weeks which means we’re going to get stuffed. It’s the Chiefs way since Rens left and our set piece is nowhere near good enough.
Seriously, Saders by 17 plus.
Nice attempt.
No AB loosehead. No AB centre. Our halfbacks are in a funk. A back row that is a mishmash. An up and down back 3.
Surprised we are on top of the table.
god, this is almost as shameless as the time Mal Meninga tried to claim the underdog status with arguably the greatest rugby league side ever assembled.
To be fair @ACT-Crusader is unaccustomed to having less than 90% of his side as ABs. It is panicking him.
I wouldn’t pick one Chief in a combined....
You can keep Douglas instead of Jacobsen then. How’s your star fullback doing compared to the much maligned DMac?
Don’t want to squeeze ALB in?
Shit, even Weber is out doing your 9sI don't think he was serious...
Deadly...
Although on second thoughts I’m sure I can find a spot on my team for that star player, T. Chief
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@stargazer said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:
Crusaders
1 George Bower
2 Brodie McAlister
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Mitchell Dunshea
5 Quinten StrangeIt’s only the Chiefs aye Razor... 😲
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Likely their first club side is represented.
