Lions v Crusaders

[johanek]

King looking better at tighthead that he did at loosehead a couple of weeks ago. Hunt plugging the corners, clever play.

[ShadowTrooper]

Was that throw even straight?

[akan004]

Giving up a maul penalty in their 22. Dumb play from the forwards.

[ShadowTrooper]

@akan004 By some of the forwards. Whitelock has been excellent.

[ShadowTrooper]

Geez that was pretty dumb play by Bridge

[ShadowTrooper]

Whew...

[akan004]

Dumb play by Bridge. Lucky not to get a yellow.

[ShadowTrooper]

That TO could be the game right there

[ShadowTrooper]

Wow - and job done by the good guys! A valuable W banked and on the road...

[akan004]

Good 2nd half. Lions are definitely not anywhere near as good as last year.

Hope Crotty's injury is not concussion related.

[cgrant]

A win is a win but I hope Crotty's and Goodhue's injuries are not too serious.

[antipodean]

Crowd love it, showing their appreciation by making a cheering noise with a guttural exhalation.

I will say Peyper and the TMO got that tackle in the air decision correct. Strauss comparing it to last year in the final is deluded.

[Stargazer]

Some dodgy reffing in this game. The refs spotted the not-straight throw from Taylor, but missed two from his opposite. Suspicious home-reffing of the scrum as well. Ah well, at least the Lions didn't get more than 3 points out of it.

Well-deserved win from the Crusaders. They were the team that created almost all the chances and defended well.

I hope Goodhue, Crotty, Taufua and Crockett are okay. All are players the Crusaders can't afford to lose.

Whitelock and Todd were massive in this game. Also great turnover from Sanders late in the 2nd half.

Mataele ... wouldn't mind seeing him in black.

And damn, can't wait for Mo'unga to come back. And Moody. And Franks.

[Stargazer]

If I've seen it right on instagram, Billy Harmon and Pete Samu are on a plane .... direction Buenos Aires??? (Not sure).

[Rapido]

Saw a bit of this.

Wow, that was a tiny crowd.

I don't know what people of Joburg do on an Easter weekend. But not stay in city and watch rugby?

Are the Lions not good anymore? Because they're playing the defending champs and no one wanted to watch.

[Chris B.]

Only seen the second half - digging deep at altitude - those are huge points for us to have collected.

Hopefully just the game in Buenos Aires to get through and then we hopefully get Moody and Franks back - those two along with Mo'unga are the guys we really can't cover for properly.

Israel Dagg was on the Dilmah tea party yesterday and said he's playing half a game of club rugby next weekend.

[Chris B.]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/102759355/hamstring-strain-puts-crusaders-centre-jack-goodhue-in-doubt-for-match-against-jaguares

Injury reports:
Goodhue - hamstring
Crotty - not injured - 'flu.
Jager - shoulder
Crockett - HIA

Not sure about the suggestion of shifting Havili to midfield if we don't have Goodhue. I'd shift Seta to centre and play Mataele.

[booboo]

Watching replay.

Fuck ME! That's the worst home town TMO call on Bridge's try ... since the last time an SA broadcaster was involved.

Fucking pathetic.

[booboo]

The second one WAS forward

[Stargazer]

@booboo If I remember it correctly, the commentators misinterpreted rules (about ball drifting forward etc) as well. Maybe the TMO needs a refresher course, as well?