No Owen Franks, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, Bryn Hall, Jack Goodhue, Will Jordan.

@Stargazer or Makalio

Nor Romano, nor Bateman.

I only mentioned the regular matchday squad members (should have included Makalio). No need to name every other squad member that isn't in the line-up. :winking_face: Although I should say that I prefer Romano over Dunshea.

@Stargazer Romano over Strange , as well, in my view. And Bateman over Punivai.

So these are telling selections for the future, I think.

Ennor is being spread around the backline, does he play midfield at M10?

What's the Fern consensus on Ngane Punivai?

@Tim Don't know about the Fern, but this will be his first SR game ever, so I think it's too early to make any kind of judgment on the lad.

@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Lions:

Nor Romano, nor Bateman.

Or Carter, given he is now in ABs frame....

@Machpants

He’s a center primarily, I think, who can also play on the wing.

Is Romero injured?

@Tim said in Crusaders v Lions:

What's the Fern consensus on Ngane Punivai?

It will be interesting to see how he goes. He's only played a few games at provincial level but he looked okay from what I can recall. Didn't look like a player who was destined to be a 50 test cap All Black but didn't look out of place either. From memory he was a bit lanky, but wiki says he's 191cm and 100kg so that's a decent size for a 20 year old winger. He's going to struggle to get significant game time at the Crusaders given their wing depth at present.

@booboo said in Crusaders v Lions:

Is Romero injured?

I don't think so.

I think his (continual) non-selection very much points that he's playing his final Super season, so they're focusing on developing Strange (and to a lesser extent Dunshea). Which is somewhat concerning from an AB perspective, because I'm inclined to think he's still among the best five locks in NZ. He was huge for Canterbury in last year's NPC.

@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Lions:

@booboo said in Crusaders v Lions:

Is Romero injured?

I don't think so.

I think his (continual) non-selection very much points that he's playing his final Super season, so they're focusing on developing Strange (and to a lesser extent Dunshea). Which is somewhat concerning from an AB perspective, because I'm inclined to think he's still among the best five locks in NZ. He was huge for Canterbury in last year's NPC.

Indeed. Hence my query.

@booboo I read an article earlier in the week saying that Romano had been heavily involved at training in the expectation that Barrett would be rested, so I'm surprised he's not there somewhere.

@Stargazer

Some guys are just made of glass. Whiteley out of tonight's game.

Fun start to this game.

Ennor in already.

Havili (I think) blew another.

10-0 now, Lions screwed thee with a bullshit offside call.

saders looking to run it...

Should be a penalty there - forward runners taking out would be tacklers..

Good to see a halfback criticised when a maul gets turnover. Drummond found wanting there.

Is Douglas a WC option? playing so much better than Read. seriously!

@98blueandgold No.

Crotty off.

Smith got fucking bounced by Reece.

Still laughing at the footage of the Lions #8 going flying backwards.

Reece is insanely good on attack.

@African-Monkey You sure :)?

Is the trouble that Sevu Reece got himself into with his partner last year along with his offshore contract being torn up spell good news for NZ rugby moving forward..quick,can step,got offload factor ,can tackle and man alive is strong with ball in hand..close to the full package..

Strange is playing like a bum.

@Steven-Harris said in Crusaders v Lions:

Is the trouble that Sevu Reece got himself into with his partner last year along with his offshore contract being torn up spell good news for NZ rugby moving forward..quick,can step,got offload factor ,can tackle and man alive is strong with ball in hand..close to the full package..

He's thrown his lot in with Fiji already hasn't he?

@MajorRage Crusaders and Waikato no longer part of NZR?

@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Lions:

@MajorRage Crusaders and Waikato no longer part of NZR?

International honours I mean. Sure I remember reading somewhere him wanting to play for Fiji if the opportunity was to arise.

@MajorRage He hasn't played for Fiji (yet).

@MajorRage has’nt Played for Fiji yet.my bet is he will throw in his lot with NZ rugby

@Stargazer mind reader you..lol

Crusaders a bit untidy at times - coming off the bye with a few combination changes.

No.1 front row struggling with the Lions in the scrum - we probably need a few more points before the No.3 front row arrives!

@Steven-Harris said in Crusaders v Lions:

Is the trouble that Sevu Reece got himself into with his partner last year along with his offshore contract being torn up spell good news for NZ rugby moving forward..quick,can step,got offload factor ,can tackle and man alive is strong with ball in hand..close to the full package..

There’s big questions about his defence. He’s been fine in this game, but has been inaccurate this season.
That follows on from shockers at npc level (7 misses in a single game last year)

@Duluth I will cut him slack based on his age, but defence definitely a work on