Match thread

Stargazer

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 Havili

RESERVES
16 Ben Funnell
17 Harry Allan
18 Oliver Jager
19 Quinten Strange
20 Jordan Taufua
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Will Jordan

The 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 Codie Taylor, who was withdrawn from last week's match with a calf strain, will be rested this week ahead of the bye.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. 
Chris B.

@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.

Stargazer

@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.

Chris B.

@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).

Cyclops

I wonder if Taufua leaving is a factor as well. If his form was markedly better then it wouldn't, but I think when it's a close call that might make a difference.

Daffy Jaffy

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.

Duluth

Wow. Great try Smith

Kirwan

Lots of handling errors from the Cantabs so far. No flow

Kirwan

Ben Smith is on fire

KiwiMurph

Mounga shows the value of running at the line. I hope Beaudie is watching.

Crusaders speed of play is awesome.

Toddy

Wasn't RM tackled?

Cyclops

Lol no gas from Faddes

KiwiMurph

Faddes must be injured - so slow

Goodhue channeling his inner Jordie

Dice

@KiwiMurph He got caught from behind by Karpik last year in the NPC. I think he's just not fast anymore.