Crusaders v Fijian Drua
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Hooker Codie Taylor has been ruled out of the Crusaders' match against the Fijian Drua in Christchurch on Friday night.
The All Black suffered a rib cartilage sprain in the first half of the 37-26 win over the Brumbies in Canberra last Friday night, and was replaced by Ricky Jackson at halftime.
The Crusaders have confirmed Taylor doesn't require scans, and was making good progress during his recovery phase, but will be scratched from the fixture against the Drua at Orangetheory Stadium.
It's uncertain whether Taylor will be fit to play the final round-robin game against the Queensland Reds in Christchurch on May 27. The Crusaders stated they would provide more information on his availability at a later date. -
I assume the Crusaders will put out a B side?
It will be interesting to see what the do if Mo’unga doesn’t start. Hickey and Burke have started matches and up until last week one of them has been on the bench to cover RM
Was Havili covering 10 a one off? Or has Robertson had a change of policy late in the season?
If he intends to use Havili to cover 10 in his top 23 he should get some game time there before the playoffs
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
I assume the Crusaders will put out a B side?
It will be interesting to see what the do if Mo’unga doesn’t start. Hickey and Burke have started matches and up until last week one of them has been on the bench to cover RM
Was Havili covering 10 a one off? Or has Robertson had a change of policy late in the season?
If he intends to use Havili to cover 10 in his top 23 he should get some game time there before the playoffs
I think he has decided to use Havilli as cover at 10 so he can use all his Ab's
Backline 23 like
Hall
Mounga
LF
Havilli
Goodhue
Reece
JordanBENCH
Drummond
Ennor
Bridge -
Which is still a change of policy from earlier in the year. Goodhue returning from injury is hardly a surprise. There's no reason that Havili couldn't have covered ten earlier in the year. Or it might be a one off... we’lll see.
If Havili is the backup ten, it would be negligent to go into playoffs without him having game time there. I’d be surprised if Robertson did that. -
@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Which is still a change of policy from earlier in the year. Goodhue returning from injury is hardly a surprise. There's no reason that Havili couldn't have covered ten earlier in the year. Or it might be a one off... we’lll see.
If Havili is the backup ten it would be negligent to go into playoffs without him having any game time there. I’d be surprised if Robertson did that.It is, but of course Goodhue wasn't fit then so now its an extra body to fit into the 23.
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Which is still a change of policy from earlier in the year. Goodhue returning from injury is hardly a surprise. There's no reason that Havili couldn't have covered ten earlier in the year. Or it might be a one off... we’lll see.
If Havili is the backup ten, it would be negligent to go into playoffs without him having game time there. I’d be surprised if Robertson did that.Welcome to Razor's mindset during finals footy, experience is everything. If having 2 multi-seasoned veteran Crusaders on the bench comes at the expense of specialist first-five cover, so be it. It's all about using the collective knowledge & cohesion of those players who have previously experienced finals footy at Super Rugby level.
Obviously they view the regular season & knock-outs in a very different lens, regular season has function for blooding new players and building/maintaining depth, etc..
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Fuck you two are over sensitive about Robertson
If Havili is his reserve ten going into the playoffs he should game some game time there
It’s a simple point. No need for the circle the wagons. It wasn’t even a criticism you tedious fluffybunnies
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Fuck you two are over sensitive about Robertson
If Havili is his reserve ten going into the playoffs he should game some game time there
It’s a simple point. No need for the circle the wagons. It wasn’t even a criticism you tedious fluffybunnies
Looks like the welcome worked eh.
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@Duluth I don't think Havili necessarily would.. (need a few starts in the 10 jersey - going into playoffs) with the way he's utilized within the Crusader's attacking systems, he's used primarily as a second playmaker and is stationed at first-receiver half of the time anyway, it would be a pretty straight forward transition, I think.
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Maybe, but it’s still a risk. So it’d make sense to mitigate it.
This game is probably better than the Reds match to experiment.. I assume the Reds will get something close the top Crusaders xv
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@Duluth wonder if last seasons npc premier winger Kini Naholo get another run with the red and blacks this Friday
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Fuck you two are over sensitive about Robertson
If Havili is his reserve ten going into the playoffs he should game some game time there
It’s a simple point. No need for the circle the wagons. It wasn’t even a criticism you tedious fluffybunnies
I don't see where I Am over sensitive, I am not disagreeing with you on game time for Havili at 10.But I think Robertson is heading that way and I was explaining why I thought that,and it may be a big mistake not giving Havilli game time at 10.
So if he does and it back fires and we fuck up in the play offs because of it,I will call it was a fuck up by Robertson. -
@FakatavaFuture said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Duluth wonder if last seasons npc premier winger Kini Naholo get another run with the red and blacks this Friday
I hope he does for me I would like to see him get some development time.
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@Chris said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Fuck you two are over sensitive about Robertson
If Havili is his reserve ten going into the playoffs he should game some game time there
It’s a simple point. No need for the circle the wagons. It wasn’t even a criticism you tedious fluffybunnies
I don't see where I Am over sensitive, I am not disagreeing with you on game time for Havili at 10.But I think Robertson is heading that way and I was explaining why I thought that,and it may be a big mistake not giving Havilli game time at 10.
So if he does and it back fires and we fuck up in the play offs because of it,I will call it was a fuck up by Robertson.I think Razor would opt for the more experienced backline if Mo'unga karked - so LF/Bridge, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor, Reece, Jordan > LF/Bridge, Burke, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan.
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Chris said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Duluth said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
Fuck you two are over sensitive about Robertson
If Havili is his reserve ten going into the playoffs he should game some game time there
It’s a simple point. No need for the circle the wagons. It wasn’t even a criticism you tedious fluffybunnies
I don't see where I Am over sensitive, I am not disagreeing with you on game time for Havili at 10.But I think Robertson is heading that way and I was explaining why I thought that,and it may be a big mistake not giving Havilli game time at 10.
So if he does and it back fires and we fuck up in the play offs because of it,I will call it was a fuck up by Robertson.I think Razor would opt for the more experienced backline if Mo'unga karked - so LF, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor, Reece, Jordan > LF, Burke, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan.
Yeah I reckon he will too , experience counts in playoffs as you said.
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It could well be a change of policy or just a pragmatic decision given IMO the other two options aren’t really up to it.
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haven't seen Mitch drumstick Drummond play for awhile so I'm sure fitness permitting he'll be back this week
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@FakatavaFuture Drummond got Covid when they were in Perth. Should be back, if fitness isn't an issue.
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Crusaders team will be named at 6:30pm
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Crusaders
1 Finlay Brewis
2 Ricky Jackson
3 Fletcher Newell
4 Zach Gallagher
5 Sam Whitelock (VC)
6 Scott Barrett (C)
7 Tom Christie
8 Ethan Blackadder
9 Bryn Hall
10 Fergus Burke
11 Leicester Fainga'anuku
12 Jack Goodhue (VC)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Sevu Reece
15 Chay FihakiRESERVES:
16 Shilo Klein
17 Tamaiti Williams
18 Oli Jager
19 Dominic Gardiner
20 Corey Kellow
21 Mitch Drummond
22 Simon Hickey
23 George Bridge -
There are a few players in that 23 who make me nervous. If the Drua get in one of their moods I am not sure how some of those Crusader players will cope.
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@Stargazer Dog Roll at 6, Jack as vice Captain! I thought they would include Kini on the bench but seeing as tho it's their first home game in ages it makes sense to reward the crowd with a superstar like George Bridge🙂
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@FakatavaFuture got to have a world beating superstar to come on in case Ennor has to go off.
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Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Mesulame Dolokoto, Nemani Nagusa (c), Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Selestino Ravutaumada, Kitione Taliga
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Raikabula Momoedonu, Leone Nawai, Ilaisa Droasese, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
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Momoedonu
I think this will be his first outing this year...apparently highly rated, but I haven't been overly impressed with what I saw at npc level last year, so will be interesting to see iow he goes if he gets on.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
There are a few players in that 23 who make me nervous. If the Drua get in one of their moods I am not sure how some of those Crusader players will cope.
What players make you nervous
Burke,Finaki.Klein and JacksonThe rest are ok, Brewis played well against the Brumbies when he came on
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@Chris
Brewis is very promising. He is still a youngster but next year, he could leapfrog Bower in the pecking order at LHP. -
@cgrant said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Chris
Brewis is very promising. He is still a youngster but next year, he could leapfrog Bower in the pecking order at LHP.He could do,Jason Ryan rates him highly.
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@Chris said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
There are a few players in that 23 who make me nervous. If the Drua get in one of their moods I am not sure how some of those Crusader players will cope.
What players make you nervous
Burke,Finaki.Klein and JacksonThe rest are ok, Brewis played well against the Brumbies when he came on
Add Hickey to that list and you pretty much nailed it. Not saying the Saders will lose but with two hookers and two 10s who haven't looked like they belong at Super level I will worry if the pressure comes on.
Then there is Fihaki. Still waiting for him to do anything to suggest he belongs as well.
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@Crazy-Horse I want Fihaki to do well, he's Canterbury's favorite son after all! unfortunately when he's played for the Crusaders such as against the chiefs he's looked very green, is green the right term? idk😅
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Chris said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
There are a few players in that 23 who make me nervous. If the Drua get in one of their moods I am not sure how some of those Crusader players will cope.
What players make you nervous
Burke,Finaki.Klein and JacksonThe rest are ok, Brewis played well against the Brumbies when he came on
Add Hickey to that list and you pretty much nailed it. Not saying the Saders will lose but with two hookers and two 10s who haven't looked like they belong at Super level I will worry if the pressure comes on.
Then there is Fihaki. Still waiting for him to do anything to suggest he belongs as well.
Yeah I agree they all worry me too especially if Dura get on one of their roles they are hard to stop.
We could do with a bounus point to help secure 2nd. -
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Tab offering a 31.5 point start
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no way was he supporting his own weight
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Excellent tidy up by Faingaanuku
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Hall looking distinctively average
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That shouldn't be a try - Christie propelled himself forward off the ground.
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@antipodean said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:
That shouldn't be a try - Christie propelled himself forward off the ground.
I agree. It was more than just reaching out.
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Christie was a double movement, propelled himself forward with his knees
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is interesting that on attack (broken play) Goodhue is often out on the wing.
