I would hope that Dunshea and Blackadder are given at least some game time this year to showcase their talents. Those two could potentially make it to the highest level. Perhaps being in the Crusaders with their huge depth in the forwards may not be the best thing for these guys, they would make the 23 in most other NZ teams atm.

Sanders got limited opportunities at the Chiefs and it looks like he'll be a bit-part player at the Crusaders too.

@bovidae IIRC, he's out for a while with a serious injury.

Stormers
15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Dillyn Leyds, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Resnburg.

Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 George Whitehead.

@bovidae said in Crusaders v Stormers:

Sanders got limited opportunities at the Chiefs and it looks like he'll be a bit-part player at the Crusaders too.

Bad ankle injury is what I recall. Out for about 4 months.

I'm inclined to think Mitchell Dunshea must be on the injured list as well.

Like Will Jordan, I've seen no news on this, but he's been missing from a number of selections that you'd otherwise have expected him to be in.

Good opportunity for Billy Harmon, who probably wouldn't have made the squad if Jed Brown wasn't out for the season.

Haven't seen the Crusaders making much of their injury list, but it's probably as severe as any given the number of (starting) ABs that are on it - Moody, Franks, Read, Dagg, Perry, Todd, Sanders - Dunshea (?), Jordan (?), (?), (?).....( Brown, Enari)

So how did people tip? Crusaders win, but by how much?

@stargazer 16 I think...

But I am 0/3 this weekend!

Goodhue is exceptional. When you compare his game so far today vs Moala for example there is daylight.

This is much better viewing than the cricket.

This is eerily similar to when Stormers got destroyed last year in Christchurch.

Well at least I'll get the highest scoring team tip this week.

The Crusaders go alright.

They operate at several levels higher than what I witnessed last night.

Mo'unga has been awesome. Try assist, some big hits (taking out a Stormers forward), try-saving tackle, great ball distribution. I can definitely see him in that black 22 jersey.

Mounga might be cited for that hit under these laws.

if that deserves more than a penalty, then the hightackle that wasnt released earlier warrants more attanetion

Stormers getting away with hitting rucks from all angles and also going off their feet a hell of a lot.

Brilliant try Stormers.

Crusaders havent woken up this half.

Crusaders have done 5 fifths of fuck all in the 15 minutes of this half.

They’re playing too much footy
In their own half.
Did Mounga have his right foot amputated at half time?