Blues v Crusaders

nzzp

@Tim wow no Akira!

Decent pack, that could do some damage.

KiwiMurph

Pleased to see no more propping injuries.

Ruru did well in the wet last week but I fear will struggle in the dry in a NZ derby. Ditto Hyland (though I imagine defensively they trust him more to start in this clash which I can understand).

Akira has work to do to just make the 23.

Bovidae

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO : Shane McDermott

Canes4life

James Parsons is starting again, you guys are done.

Duluth

Very surprised Robinson isn't starting.

I guess they are still spooked by the poor final quarter vs the Chiefs. So keeping one of the better players held back

Duluth

@Canes4life said in Blues v Crusaders:

James Parsons is starting again, you guys are done.

zzzzz he went well last week

nzzp

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Canes4life said in Blues v Crusaders:

James Parsons is starting again, you guys are done.

zzzzz he went well last week

Parsons is a good honest trier. The issue has been that he's been asked to be a No 1 hooker, and he's just not. He's a great squad guy, and a fantastic bloke by all accounts. Really, the crime has been that we can't find, recruit or develop another 2.

Is Ray Niuia gone for the season?

KiwiMurph

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Canes4life said in Blues v Crusaders:

James Parsons is starting again, you guys are done.

zzzzz he went well last week

Parsons is a good honest trier. The issue has been that he's been asked to be a No 1 hooker, and he's just not. He's a great squad guy, and a fantastic bloke by all accounts. Really, the crime has been that we can't find, recruit or develop another 2.

Is Ray Niuia gone for the season?

Yes

Blues were essentially forced into starting Parsons this week as Eklund's throwing has not been good enough. I'm an Eklund fan but his throwing has been off.

My issue with Parsons is when they force him to play 70/75 minutes - he really shouldn't be playing anymore than 50 minutes. I'd like to see Eklund get some proper minutes off the bench.

Duluth

@nzzp

Parsons was the third hooker this year

Niuia is injured for the season. Eklund lost his spot to Parsons on form.

I expect Eklund will be back when his throwing comes right. He's had the yips before and worked through it.

KiwiMurph

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

Very surprised Robinson isn't starting.

I guess they are still spooked by the poor final quarter vs the Chiefs. So keeping one of the better players held back

I wonder if its also a leadership thing. Robinson is in the leadership group.

Their two main leaders are starting (Tuipulotu and Parsons) so they'll need leadership in the second half.

Crucial

@Tim said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Crucial Made a fool of Mauger twice.

Not difficult. Another Cantab SWB.

taniwharugby

@KiwiMurph defensively Hyland is strong front on but if they can turn him or put the ball behind him they'll make big metres

Chris

In the backs, both Bryn Hall and Richie Mo'unga join the starting team for this game, and David Havili returns to fullback. Mitch Drummond and Will Jordan move to the bench.

Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Blues is 7:05pm, Friday 14th February, at Eden Park in Auckland.

Crusaders team to play the Blues:

Joe Moody
Codie Taylor (VC)
Oliver Jager
Scott Barrett (C)
Mitchell Dunshea
Cullen Grace
Tom Christie
Tom Sanders
Bryn Hall
Richie Mo'unga
George Bridge
Jack Goodhue
Braydon Ennor
Sevu Reece
David Havili (VC)

RESERVES:

Andrew Makalio
George Bower
Michael Alaalatoa
Luke Romano
Sione Havili*
Mitchell Drummond
Brett Cameron
Will Jordan

MEDIA NOTE: *denotes Crusaders debut (not Investec Super Rugby debut)

Duluth

David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Tom Sanders, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Oliver Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody

Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Will Jordan

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/119447443/super-rugby-richie-moungas-return-tempered-by-loss-of-loose-forward

Stargazer

@Chris Best backline in the competition (with Jordan also on the bench), but - apart from the ABs - a very average forward pack, esp backrow.

Big day for both Grace and Sione Havili.

Chris

@Stargazer yep big opportunity for Grace and Havili to make a name for themselves.
Some of the newer players need to stand up in that pack.
Dunshea and Sanders have been average so far.
Bower has made little impact off the Bench.
Could be a tough season if more players don’t come to play in that Forward Park.

JK

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Tim wow no Akira!

Still fat! Needs to go to Jenny Craig

Bones

@Crucial said in Blues v Crusaders:

If you are going back into the archives (which you have to with the Blues ) then a good old Rupeni hat-trick against the inbreds is worth a look.

The crazy thing about Caucau was just how he used to run into and out of tackles as though no-one was there. Hardly even a shift in posture or anything.

taniwharugby

@Crucial that diving effort from Marshall

Caucau was something special, while I think it was best he played for Fiji, you do wonder what could have been if he had ended up playing for the ABs instead of his sporadic and troubled career with Fiji.

Hooroo

@JK said in Blues v Crusaders:

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Tim wow no Akira!

Still fat! Needs to go to Jenny Craig

You have to wonder what sort of mental state he is in? He is in his prime and could arguably one of the our best players earning top top dollar but instead he is fat and can't even make the Blues team. That is pretty sad.

I hope there is a better back story to this

The Silver Fern

Blues v Crusaders