Match thread

Stargazer

Sunwolves

1 Nic Mayhew, 2 Efitusi Maafu, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 4 Ben Hyne, 5 Michael Stolberg, 6 Justin Downey, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 8 Jake Schatz, 9 Rudy Paige, 10 Garth April, 11 Tautalatasi Tasi, 12 Ben Te'o, 13 Keisuke Moriya, 14 Siosaia Fifita, 15 James Dargaville

Reserves:
16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Kotaro Yatabe, 20 Brendon O'Connor, 21 Naoto Saito, 22 Shogo Nakano, 23 Yoshizumi Takeda

antipodean

Can someone refresh my memory where this game is being played?

Ozzie, curtain raiser to the Brumbies IIRC

Stargazer

@antipodean Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. K/o 6.35pm NZT / 3.35pm local time (AEST).

Stargazer

Crusaders:

1 George Bower
2 Brodie McAlister
3 Oliver Jager
4 Luke Romano
5 Mitchell Dunshea
6 Sione Havili
7 Tom Christie
8 Cullen Grace
9 Bryn Hall (C)
10 Brett Cameron
11 Leicester Faingaanuku
12 Dallas McLeod
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Sevu Reece
15 George Bridge

RESERVES:
16 Hugh Roach*
17 Isi Tuungafasi
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Whetukamokamo Douglas
20 Tom Sanders
21 Ereatara Enari
22 Fergus Burke**
23 Manasa Mataele

*Crusaders debut
**Super Rugby debut

.

Head Coach Scott Robertson confirmed today that All Blacks Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Jack Goodhue will all be rested for this match, with Bryn Hall to Captain the side at halfback. 
20-year-old Fergus Burke will get his first taste of Super Rugby against the Sunwolves, providing cover at first five-eighth, while experienced Super Rugby hooker and  Ta$man representative, Hugh Roach, joins the side as cover for McAlister.
Duluth

I guess Hugh Roach would've played next to Alaalatoa before

Crazy Horse

Has Grace played much at 8? I dont recall him there.

Crucial

Sanders will have flagged this game ages ago to rest players but man, that looks like a real 2nd XV. In fact it looks like a 2nd XXIII

Stargazer

@Duluth Why do you think that?

Stargazer

@KiwiMurph Yeah, but Alaalatoa only played one game for the Tahs in the two years he was there.

Stargazer

@Crazy-Horse Was wondering the same thing. The NZU20s and Canterbury only used him at lock.

Crazy Horse

Cameron makes me nervous, even against the Sunwolves. And there's only Burke to come on if he shits the bed.

Chris B.

@Crucial said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

Sanders will have flagged this game ages ago to rest players but man, that looks like a real 2nd XV. In fact it looks like a 2nd XXIII

The Mako would take those Crusaders! 🙂

KiwiMurph

@Chris-B and your Mako comment quota per thread is maintained.

Jailbreak7

This Saders side has absolutely no idea on attack. More like a wet paper bag. Farks sake come on guys! Gonna be the last tame for a while, jeez
Can't believe how much Bridge has regressed. Romano too. And Reece seems to be catching this malaise.

Duluth

Just got back from the Blues game.. what's going on here? Have the Crusaders been shit?

Chris B.

I think 10 of the Crusaders starting XV are from the Canterbury NPC team.

Give the ball to Big Leicester!

Jailbreak7

How in the bloody hell did Brett Cameron ever get a starting gig with the ABs?

Chris B.

....or Sevu Reece!

Jailbreak7

@Chris-B ...well that says it all...

Looks like Blues are going to still be tops at the end of toady, the way the saders are playing

Chris B.

@Jailbreak7 That's just a humorous speculation - but, TBH it was a pretty poor selection.

African Monkey

Meh. Crusaders virtually have the Canterbury M10 Cup side out there today. Even if they win ugly then so be it. 4 points is 4 points but I expect them to pull away in the 2nd half.

broughie

The Crusaders are awful. I keep expecting more and they underwhelm. Is Scott Robertson still the wonder coach?

Jailbreak7

Christie and Bower look up for it at least.

sparky

Scoreline flattering the Crusaders.

taniwharugby

@broughie a few of the coaches that were supposed to be better than Fozzie have not done very well so far....

Those penalties are such a let off for defending teams.

broughie

@taniwharugby I am in no way suggesting Fozzie was the better alternative. The fact that he is in charge is a poor choice in my book.

Scott Robertson can't really win if he is copping shit after a three peat. Even if he wins this year, people will be throwing shit at him if he only comes 4th next season.

Donsteppa

Crusaders doing a Chiefs

Jailbreak7

@broughie Its a poor choice in most peoples book....apart from the fisheads who appointed him of courrse

taniwharugby

those jet shoes though!

broughie

@hydro11 who is in charge of selecting the forwards in Canterbury. They are weak and puny.

taniwharugby

did Grace go off injured or subbed?