Crusaders v Highlanders
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Despite the injuries, not a bad squad, although I wonder why Lentjes keeps getting picked over Hunt (if Hunt isn't injured). Elliott Dixon also isn't a shadow of his former self; I'd like to see Mikaele-Tu'u getting more opportunities, but maybe this is not the game for it. Obviously I'm biased, but I wish they'd started Fakatava; Hammington is so limited.
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Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (C)
6 Whetukamokamo Douglas
7 Matt Todd (VC)
8 Kieran Read
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 Sevu Reece
12 Ryan Crotty (VC)
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Braydon Ennor
15 David HaviliRESERVES
16 Ben Funnell
17 Harry Allan
18 Oliver Jager
19 Quinten Strange
20 Jordan Taufua
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Will JordanThe BNZ Crusaders will host the Highlanders this Friday night, and Head Coach Scott Robertson has named a side that features seven changes from the team that took the field against the Brumbies last week. Andrew Makalio will start this game at hooker, and Ben Funnell has been named on the bench. Codie Taylor, who was withdrawn from last week's match with a calf strain, will be rested this week ahead of the bye. Owen Franks, who suffered a shoulder sprain in the Brumbies match, will also sit out the southern derby, and is replaced by Michael Alaalatoa in the No. 3 jersey. Oliver Jager will provide cover on the bench. The final changes to the forward pack will see Sam Whitelock and Whetukamokamo Douglas return to the starting side, and Whitelock resume the captaincy. At halfback, Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond swap this week, so that Hall starts and Drummond moves to the bench. Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor both return to the starting side at centre and on the right wing respectively. The only other change to the match day 23 sees Mitch Hunt replace Brett Cameron on the bench.https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1331-team-v-highlanders-2019-g2
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@Stargazer That looks like the best available team. Douglas appears to have the edge on Taufua at present - I'd guess they like having four genuine lineout options.
Our propping rotation is pretty light behind Franks and Moody (and Alaalatoa) with Perry out for most of the season.
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@Chris-B Not sure. I noticed how much better Taufua plays at 8 than at 6 (similar to last year), and better at 8 than Douglas. That may have something to do with it (and with Read back, that means the bench). Taufua can also cover 7; I can't remember Douglas ever playing there.
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@Stargazer Taufua also provided quite a lot of impact off the bench last week - but, won't surprise me if we mainly see Douglas at 6 from now on and mainly see Jordan coming off the bench (though Razor will doubtless keep a bit of rotation going - similar to Hall and Drummond).
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Crusaders v Highlanders @ Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Referee Ben O'Keeffe
AR1 Damon Murphy
AR2 Angus Gardner
TMO Glenn Newman -
The front row battle will be interesting, particularly Lomax (who was very good against the Canes) vs Moody. I would have taken Ayden Johnstone instead of DLB to test Michael Alaalatoa at scrum time. This youngster can scrum and I don't remember having seen him in trouble in this phase.
However, I'd pick the Crusaders to win by a 10+ point margin.
