Massive game in Christchurch on Friday night with both sides eager to win for different reasons. The Crusaders will be keen to finally put a W on the board after an 0-3 start and the Canes will be keen to carry on their winning run to kick off the season.

I can't imagine too many changes to the Hurricanes side but I expect Brad Shields to come into the 6 jersey if he's deemed fit. I also don't think Caleb Delany will be available after going off with an HIA so either Justin Sangster or James Tucker will get the starting gig. I also hope Numia comes back into the starting side, he's arguably been the form prop of the competition so far with his scrummaging and ball play around the park.

For the Crusaders, they will also be hoping the GOAT Ethan Blackadder makes a return. His toughness at the breakdown is something they are clearly missing atm so it will be a shot in the arm if they can get him back. Big ?? hang around who plays 10 for this game, does Havili slot in there, does Hohepa get a run OR do they continue to persist with the young Kemara? Another issue for the Crusaders is at centre, Aumua doesn't seem to be cutting it in my view and I doubt he'll have much impact against the strong defending Proctor. If Havili starts at 10, I'd like to the Saders go with a Crotty/McLeod midfield, otherwise Havili/McLeod would be my pick.

Very intriguing match this one, really looking forward to it.

Aumua seems to be the sad case of taking a superstar from one team and transitioning them into a donkey in another team. Very un-Crusaders like, then again all of 2024 seems to be very un-Crusaders like.

@Windows97 Aumua had plenty of errors and issues at Moana too - it just got overlooked as the expectations at Moana simply weren't there

@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Windows97 Aumua had plenty of errors and issues at Moana too - it just got overlooked as the expectations at Moana simply weren't there

Yeah a fair enough point - forgive my foggy memory but wasn't Aumua leading some key stats in the comp last year for line breaks, offloads or something?

This year he seems to have maintained his errors and issues, without producing any of the line breaks or offloads...

@Windows97 when you are playing for MP you are normally playing the opposition's 2nd string midfield. When you are playing for the Crusaders you are getting the A-Team every week.

For Crusaders fans, where is Zach Gallagher these days?

If he were available, I'd move him to lock and Barrett to 6 and get Gardiner out of there. He's been below par so far, as has George Bell who I'd give a spell to as well if McAllister were fit.

Interested to see how the Crusaders go at home. Definitely way too early to be writing them off.

And on Aumua, a lot of the time at Moana it was give the ball straight to him or Tavatavanawai and see what happens. There were no consequences if it didn't work there and limited structure, so they basically had free license with ball in hand. Different story at the Crusaders however where there is far more of a team pattern to follow and the stakes are higher.

It's comparable to Soccer where you may do well for a lower tier team, but it doesn't mean that it translates to a top tier side.

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

For Crusaders fans, where is Zach Gallagher these days?

If he were available, I'd move him to lock and Barrett to 6 and get Gardiner out of there. He's been below par so far, as has George Bell who I'd give a spell to as well if McAllister were fit.

Interested to see how the Crusaders go at home. Definitely way too early to be writing them off.

Gallagher played last week for The Crusaders development side.
McAlister out for 3/4 more weeks with his knee injury.
Blackadder could be back this week which is a week early than thought.

@Chris Thanks for that. Guess they have to keep what they have at hooker, but would certainly look at bringing Gallagher in and moving Barrett to the side of the scrum.

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chris Thanks for that. Guess they have to keep what they have at hooker, but would certainly look at bringing Gallagher in and moving Barrett to the side of the scrum.

I think they looked at Cahill at 6 as he came on for the last 15mins at 6 v Drua.
Maybe an option or Blackadder back.

Lio-Willie has been under-used. Play him at no.8 and move Grace to 6.

@Bovidae said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

Lio-Willie has been under-used. Play him at no.8 and move Grace to 6.

That is another option with Grace to the bench if Blackadder is back.

@Chris I expect that the crusaders will step up big time at home , Hurricanes played well but Blues lost 2 in 15 minutes and stayed in the fight ,

@george33 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chris I expect that the crusaders will step up big time at home , Hurricanes played well but Blues lost 2 in 15 minutes and stayed in the fight ,

Not sure mate to be honest there are a lot of dysfunctional stuff happening on the field.
You would hope they will respond but it could also be a hiding as I am not sure we will improve that much in a week..

@Chris your b ok mate not writing crusaders of at all

I thought Gardiner was one of the few positives (huge effort). The loosies have been good in defense (mostly) but the complete lack of team direction is affecting everything. I was hoping for Grace to step up more this year but everyone seems caught up in the mire. Disappointing, but things have to improve from now on.

@Canes4life said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

I can't imagine too many changes to the Hurricanes side but I expect Brad Shields to come into the 6 jersey if he's deemed fit. I also don't think Caleb Delany will be available after going off with an HIA so either Justin Sangster or James Tucker will get the starting gig. I also hope Numia comes back into the starting side, he's arguably been the form prop of the competition so far with his scrummaging and ball play around the park.

I would keep the starting side like it was. Except for Flanders to replace Howden. And if Shields is fully fit, he could come into the reserves. If Delany is out then replace with maybe Sangster. Or give another lock option a run as Sangster looks a bit limited.

I also hope Godfrey can get more game time at 1st in other games and he steps up. So, then he can take a reserves spot esp when Barrett is out or resting.

I thought crusaders Bell was supposed to be the far superior option? Hard to believe they are leaving All Black Lio-Willie out of the team too. He's an All Black.

Lio-Willie was very good in the pre-season in the UK ...... ok it was pre season but some of theses guys dont look like they have improved from that slightly sleepy pre-season state.

TAB can't separate them - both at $1.95

When was the last time the Saders weren't favourites at home?