@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.

@Stargazer said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@kiwi_expat I just looked at the Canterbury media guide from last year, and they had Christie at 104.5kg (1.86m) and Grace at 105kg (1.93m). I assume Grace is still working on getting more meat on his body at only 22 years old, but with Grace's added height, I assume Christie currently has more muscle mass.

The Canterbury site is not really updated I think Grace is around 112 kg now.

@kiwi_expat said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Stargazer said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

Canterbury media guide

View embedded content

So Ennor apparently weighs the same as 1st five F.Burke despite being taller, no wonder he regularly leaks like a sieve on defense. Can't believe such an ineffective lightweight centre who gets physically dominated by all the other NZ team's midfielders ever made an All Black squad.

Thats way out too Ennor tips around 98kg I believe.

@Chris It's not from the Canterbury website, it's the NPC media guide. Kiwi-expat posted the link.

@ACT-Crusader And the Reds put 50 on us that year as well.

@kiwi_expat said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Stargazer Crusaders could've signed 105kg midfield rock Rameka Poihipi but opted to retain all of their incredibly ineffective lightweight midfield backs, just really disappointed in their recruitment efforts post-2019 SR season in general.

Yeah I was one calling for Poihipi to pick up a contract 2 seasons ago ahead of Punivai and McLeod.

The Young forwards coming through have proved they are up to it.
selecting Newell,Williams,Brewis,Gallagher and Grace have been good.
I think Kellow and Gardner will be worthwhile.And Burke is starting to come along well.

But Mcleod,Punivai ,TTT and Hickey have been a waste of space.
And we need to recruit a young HB which I hear Hotham is being looked at for next season.

@Stargazer said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris It's not from the Canterbury website, it's the NPC media guide. Kiwi-expat posted the link.

Its way out mate I know Grace bulked up after his year in the AB's and again this pre season just gone he is around 112kg now.Christies weight sounds right though.

@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.

@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 know they were toying with the idea on Tuesday before they announced the team in house.

Awesome team!

Reds

1 Harry Hoopert, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Feao Fotuaika, 4 Ryan Smith, 5 Angus Blyth, 6 Seru Uru, 7 Liam Wright (co-c), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Tate McDermott (co-c), 10 Lawson Creighton, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 15 Jock Campbell

Reserves: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Connor Vest, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Fraser McReight, 22 Kalani Thomas, 23 Hunter Paisami

@cgrant said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

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

My only other half surprise is Jager starting ahead of Newell.

I wonder whether that's because Razor thinks Jager is better, or there's not much between them and Jager is his senior man, or he likes the idea of having Newell bolstering the bench?

I can see Newell potentially making the ABs this year, but to be honest, I can't really see Jager there (though someone in the papers picked him as a possible the other day).

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@cgrant said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

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

My only other half surprise is Jager starting ahead of Newell.

I wonder whether that's because Razor thinks Jager is better, or there's not much between them and Jager is his senior man, or he likes the idea of having Newell bolstering the bench?

I can see Newell potentially making the ABs this year, but to be honest, I can't really see Jager there (though someone in the papers picked him as a possible the other day).

Jager has a big work rate if you watch him closely.I think it suits using the younger player Newell of the Bench as he has given us real impact of the bench.Keep the young guy fresh maybe.
Brewis who has been really impressive in his last 3 or 4 games starting or impact from the bench,Seems to have been preferred due to his work rate also.

Apart from the front row because I don't really know what the fat kids get up to, but I think the team is spot on. No complaints from me selection wise.

@Chris I probably under-rate Jager more than he deserves, because for several years I didn't think we should have signed him.

He's clearly a decent prop at Super rugby level now, so I don't have any quibble with him starting. Can he get to AB level? I guess he's only 26.....

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris I probably under-rate Jager more than he deserves, because for several years I didn't think we should have signed him.

He's clearly a decent prop at Super rugby level now, so I don't have any quibble with him starting. Can he get to AB level? I guess he's only 26.....

Maybe he could there is some talk of him being able to step up to that level.
He is mobile and does a lot of work I have re watched games and he does do a power of work.
So does Bower,actually Newell and Brewis too we have a good bunch of props there.
I have been impressed with Brewis who I wasn’t sure about when he was selected.
Newell I had seen at schoolboy level he looked like a future AB then .

Life moves fast sometimes, Bridge went from starting the majority of All Blacks tests in 2021 to not being able to make the Crusaders starting line up at crunch time, this is just an observation! I like George from Gisborne but Leicester obviously is in some form

@FakatavaFuture George seems to have gone backwards at a rate of knots.

He's barely offered any offensive threat this year - in stark contrast to Big Leicester, Reece and Jordan.

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@FakatavaFuture George seems to have gone backwards at a rate of knots.

He's barely offered any offensive threat this year - in stark contrast to Big Leicester, Reece and Jordan.

I'm glad to see you've come out of a three year coma.

@Nepia said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

@FakatavaFuture George seems to have gone backwards at a rate of knots.

He's barely offered any offensive threat this year - in stark contrast to Big Leicester, Reece and Jordan.

I'm glad to see you've come out of a three year coma.

Where's that Fernies nomination thread?

@Chris-B said in QF Crusaders vs Reds:

He's barely offered any offensive threat this year - in stark contrast to Big Leicester, Reece and Jordan.

FAB back 3