Blues v Crusaders

Crucial

@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

pakman

@Tim said in Blues v Crusaders:

Was Akira available?

JK

Yes - believe he was available

Duluth

Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders

When was the last time the Crusaders backrow was this inexperienced? Sanders has a few SR caps but a lot are from the bench

Stargazer

@Duluth Yep. Grace is 20 and Christie 21 years old. Puppies.

Three experienced loosies in the injury ward (and a lock, which explains why they can't move Barrett to 6).

Toddy

Any Blues supporters picked up their diversity flag yet?

jegga

@Toddy said in Blues v Crusaders:

Any Blues supporters picked up their diversity flag yet?

The halfback in the team photo definitely has his.

Machpants

Ruru starts as he means to go on...

Steven Harris

Josh Goodhue off..Jager not looking good

Machpants

Great try blues tho, pero future running well, kicking shit 5-0

Steven Harris

Alaalatoa warming up on the sideline..!

The Silver Fern

Blues v Crusaders