Sucks about Papalii but excellent to see Sotutu on the bench for a potential debut.
Crusaders
Match thread
Blues
@taniwharugby correct.
Leni Apisai coming in to start at hooker with Matt Moulds done for the season (and his Blues career) with a hand injury.
@KiwiMurph From that article:
But Umaga is pretty sure they won't see a Crusaders side with visible cracks from the inquiry that has been launched over the off-field incidents, even if they will be missing All Blacks skipper Kieran Read from their pack this week as he takes a designated rest to coincide with the stinger he picked up in Cape Town.
I'm not so sure. The Crusaders were very rattled after the Chch terror attack; this will affect at least the players concerned, and one of them is probably the most important player in their team.
And no Read.
If there's one week in which the Blues have a good chance of beating the Saders, it's this week.
Sonny Bill Williams is still a week away from returning post his knee scope
Tom Robinson – providing he shakes off a tender knee that was being iced post-Thursday's hitout
Crusaders:
David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.
Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
6 Jordan Taufua
7 Matt Todd (vc)
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas
9 Bryn Hall
10 Richie Mo'unga
11 George Bridge
12 Ryan Crotty
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Sevu Reece
15 David Havili
Reserves:
16 Brodie McAlister*
17 Isi Tu'ungafasi
18 George Bower
19 Luke Romano
20 Ethan Blackadder
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.
Pull your pants down, Blues. This may tickle a little
@KiwiMurph Oh snap.
How do the media always manage to find the worst photos of players? I'm sure they do it on purpose.
@Tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Hooroo 57 points worth of tickling?
It will be some sorta ticklin, make no mistake.
@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu'ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.Pull your pants down, Blues. This may tickle a little
I thought it would pinch?
Looks Strong enough to me with Moodey back. Read Missing but Douglas has been one of our best players this season.Great to Brodie McAlister get a run he's a talented young hooker.
The only Question Mark for me is Head Space after all the pathetic allegations (which seems to have no substance) that have been thrown at the team.
Most interesting feature, perhaps, is the bench props.
Bower and Tuúngafasi supplanting Allan and Jager.
A few weeks ago there were Moody, Taylor, Read and Bridge still to do rests in this period between our byes. Just George left to rest, I think - perhaps waiting for Jordan to be back on board?
@Stargazer Did he miss those since our bye? If so, I've just forgotten he didn't play.
If not, I think he has to miss one to avoid playing a streak of seven games.
@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph From that article:
But Umaga is pretty sure they won't see a Crusaders side with visible cracks from the inquiry that has been launched over the off-field incidents, even if they will be missing All Blacks skipper Kieran Read from their pack this week as he takes a designated rest to coincide with the stinger he picked up in Cape Town.
I'm not so sure. The Crusaders were very rattled after the Chch terror attack; this will affect at least the players concerned, and one of them is probably the most important player in their team.
And no Read.
If there's one week in which the Blues have a good chance of beating the Saders, it's this week.
Slight difference between a terrorist attack and some weak allegations against a couple of players.
Can’t see it affecting the team at all, other than to bunker down and support their teammates.
@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Hooroo 57 points worth of tickling?
It will be some sorta ticklin, make no mistake.
We have the forward pack to keep it close, like in round one. We aren’t going to win this, especially away and especially against the Crusaders.
But we can make them work for it.