@Chris Yeah, Grace doesn't look that skinny anymore, so - considering his height - you'd expect him to weigh more than 105kg.

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@george33 said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B so mounga of to Japan after season ?

He announced that he'd signed again for the Crusaders for next year at last weekend's match.

But, only a one year contract, I think.

I hear maybe Christie starting Grace on the bench.

That's interesting and would be a bit surprising to me - wonder if that is a horses for courses pick?

I've thought Grace has been going well at 8.

I believe the thinking is combating Liam Wright and Fraser McReight with an out and out fetcher like christie.
Pretty sure they will revert back to Grace,Matera and Blackadder for SF and Final if they get that far.

I would perhaps go for Gallagher, Whitelock, Barrett, Blackadder, Matera/Grace for 4-8 to combat the Blues huge loosies in a Eden Park finale.

@kiwi_expat said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@george33 said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B so mounga of to Japan after season ?

He announced that he'd signed again for the Crusaders for next year at last weekend's match.

But, only a one year contract, I think.

I hear maybe Christie starting Grace on the bench.

That's interesting and would be a bit surprising to me - wonder if that is a horses for courses pick?

I've thought Grace has been going well at 8.

I believe the thinking is combating Liam Wright and Fraser McReight with an out and out fetcher like christie.
Pretty sure they will revert back to Grace,Matera and Blackadder for SF and Final if they get that far.

I would perhaps go for Gallagher, Whitelock, Barrett, Blackadder, Matera/Grace for 4-8 to combat the Blues huge loosies in a Eden Park finale.

That would be a big 4 to 8 some power there too.
Interesting idea.

Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:James Doleman
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO :Glenn Newman

@Chris you know what, Hotham would do well at the crusaders as he wouldn't have to compete with Fakatava long term, in saying that give us Macca Springer in return.. Springer has much potential & although he could learn off Jordan, Bridge for years to come.. I think he would suit Dunners

@FakatavaFuture said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris you know what, Hotham would do well at the crusaders as he wouldn't have to compete with Fakatava long term, in saying that give us Macca Springer in return.. Springer has much potential & although he could learn off Jordan, Bridge for years to come.. I think he would suit Dunners

I think Springer is in line to replace Punivai for next season.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:James Doleman
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO :Glenn Newman

FFF the worst Ref in the world why do we have to put up with this usless ,pathetic moronic Muppett.
A lot of penalties in this game.

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@FakatavaFuture said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris you know what, Hotham would do well at the crusaders as he wouldn't have to compete with Fakatava long term, in saying that give us Macca Springer in return.. Springer has much potential & although he could learn off Jordan, Bridge for years to come.. I think he would suit Dunners

I think Springer is in line to replace Punivai for next season.

Springer's an outside back though?

@kiwi_expat said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@FakatavaFuture said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris you know what, Hotham would do well at the crusaders as he wouldn't have to compete with Fakatava long term, in saying that give us Macca Springer in return.. Springer has much potential & although he could learn off Jordan, Bridge for years to come.. I think he would suit Dunners

I think Springer is in line to replace Punivai for next season.

Springer's an outside back though?

Yep but being able to use Leicester as a centre they dont need
Mcleod,Havilli,Ennor,Goodhue as well as Punivai if Leicester can cover centre.they can also use Burke at 12 as they have this year in limited minutes.
Springer can cover FB as well as wing.

@FakatavaFuture said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris you know what, Hotham would do well at the crusaders as he wouldn't have to compete with Fakatava long term, in saying that give us Macca Springer in return.. Springer has much potential & although he could learn off Jordan, Bridge for years to come.. I think he would suit Dunners

The Highlanders have Hastie too. He's a bright prospect.

Are the Reds expecting James OConnor to be available for this? Their backline normally more organised and potent when he is on the paddock

@Nevorian No - he's racing the clock to be available for the Wallabies-England series.

@KiwiMurph said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Nevorian No - he's racing the clock to be available for the Wallabies-England series.

Oh really, thought it was only minor and there was some talk of him being back sooner. Crusaders by 12 then

@Nevorian low grade hamstring tear - put him out for about a month.

Looks like they shelved the starting Christie idea

Crusaders team to play the Queensland Reds:

1. George Bower*
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Oli Jager
4. Scott Barrett (C)
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Pablo Matera
7. Ethan Blackadder
8. Cullen Grace
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. Leicester Fainga'anuku
12. David Havili (VC)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan

RESERVES:
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Finlay Brewis
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Zach Gallagher
20. Tom Christie
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Braydon Ennor
23. George Bridge

@ACT-Crusader said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@george33 said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B so mounga of to Japan after season ?

He announced that he'd signed again for the Crusaders for next year at last weekend's match.

But, only a one year contract, I think.

I hear maybe Christie starting Grace on the bench.

That's interesting and would be a bit surprising to me - wonder if that is a horses for courses pick?

I've thought Grace has been going well at 8.

Much prefer the added size Grace brings and Blackadder playing openside. Christie playing the final quarter adds a bit more speed.

He's getting back to his form from a couple of years ago too, really starting to throw his body around again.

@Chris I found it a bit hard to believe in the first place haha. I couldn't see them field any other midfield either. The only question for me was whether Burke would be on the bench or not, and who out of Ennor and Bridge would lose his spot in the 23 if that happened.

Finlay Brewis has leapfrogged Williams on the bench which is a half surprise, as both have been very good in their last outings.

@Stargazer said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris I found it a bit hard to believe in the first place haha. I couldn't see them field any other midfield either. The only question for me was whether Burke would be on the bench or not, and who out of Ennor and Bridge would lose his spot in the 23 if that happened.

I think they have picked their best 15 and I hope they stick to it for as far as they go in the playoffs.