1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (156)
2. Kurt Eklund (75)
3. Marcel Renata (69)
4. Josh Beehre (30)
5. Sam Darry (36)
6. Torian Barnes (3)
7. Dalton Papali’i (c) (100)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (82)
9. Finlay Christie (72)
10. Stephen Perofeta (75)
11. Caleb Clarke (78)
12. Pita Ahki (16)
13. AJ Lam (61)
14. Codemeru Vai (3)
15. Zarn Sullivan (45)

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (6), 17. Mason Tupaea (11), 18. Sam Matenga (1), 19. Che Clark (3), 20. Anton Segner (40), 21. Taufa Funaki (34), 22. Beauden Barrett (44), 23. Xavi Taele (8)

Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Cole Forbes (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Bradley Slater (abdomen), Payton Spencer (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)

Good to see Barnes and Vai get starts

That injury list is growing. Three props out is the biggest concern

George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Taha Kemara

Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Xavier Saifoloi, Dallas McLeod

Kemara at 15? Could be wrong, but I don't recall him playing there for the Saders before.

@Crazy-Horse I don't think he'd even play Fullback even for Waikato.

@MacDazzler Reihana had a couple of less than ideal runs at FB for Northland maybe 3 years ago, so not sure it's one where he and Kemara can alternate, so looks a very interesting decision.

Would have thought McLeod to midfield and Havili to FB would be simpler?

Hmmm Jordan not being there makes a huge difference, but more often than not, the Crusaders always find a way against us. They especially get up for this fixture.

Ofa had a tough time against Slipper next week, and it won't get any easier against Newell this week. No cover at lock makes me a bit uncomfortable too, so Beehre and Darry will have to go the full 80.

Crusaders absent list:
Macca Springer (quad/4-6 weeks)
Mitch Drummond (concussion/TBC)
Johnny McNicholl (hamstring/4-6 weeks)
Liam Jack (hamstring/4-6 weeks)
Maloni Kunawave (hamstring/4-6 weeks)
Cooper Roberts (fibula/4-6 weeks)
Cullen Grace (knee/TBC)
Taylor Cahill (shoulder/1-3 weeks)
George Bell (foot/2-4 weeks)
Kershawl Sykes-Martin (hip/tbc)
Will Jordan (resting policy)

I'd have thought Fihaki to fullback and McLeod or Ennor on the wing - or maybe Tuivailala - or even Mathis?

George Bell didn't he have similar injury couple years back and missed whole season. Could be completely different but maybe not.

Harry Plummer at Blues training today.
They seem to all return at some stage.

@African-Monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:

Ofa had a tough time against Slipper next week

Watch out @nostrildamus he's coming for your moniker

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@African-Monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:

Ofa had a tough time against Slipper next week

Watch out @nostrildamus he's coming for your moniker

Somebody's looking very tense.

@African-Monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:

Hmmm Jordan not being there makes a huge difference, but more often than not, the Crusaders always find a way against us. They especially get up for this fixture.

Ofa had a tough time against Slipper next week, and it won't get any easier against Newell this week. No cover at lock makes me a bit uncomfortable too, so Beehre and Darry will have to go the full 80.

Ofa at LH and Renata at TH is probably Blues strongest propping combo.

I think the Blues should back themselves to get the job done at home. The Crusaders without Jordan won't be nearly as threatening, especially taking into account the form he's been in.

@Canes4life said in Blues v Crusaders:

I think the Blues should back themselves to get the job done at home.

Injuries mean the tight five depth is getting tested. That bench is very green

It's early in Mullan's career but he shouldn't really be playing SR yet (shame we couldn't pick EO)

Matenga just had his debut. I think Tupaea will become a good prop but he's still learning.. good around the field, strong in the gym but needs to pick up all the tips he can from Feek & Ofa

Clark is covering lock

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Canes4life said in Blues v Crusaders:

I think the Blues should back themselves to get the job done at home.

Injuries mean the tight five depth is getting tested. That bench is very green

It's early in Mullan's career but he shouldn't really be playing SR yet (shame we couldn't pick EO)

Matenga just had his debut. I think Tupaea will become a good prop but he's still learning.. good around the field, strong in the gym but needs to pick up all the tips he can from Feek & Ofa

Clark is covering lock

As long as most of that first 15 play big mins though I think the Blues are on to get it done.

no Williams no Jordon advantage blues
blues by 7

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

It's early in Mullan's career but he shouldn't really be playing SR yet

So why the fuck was he signed to a multi year deal. Super Rugby recruitment is a mess

@KiwiMurph

Yes Cotter should've told Ryan to piss off. A shame we can't just pick Oudenryn right now

@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:

@KiwiMurph

Yes Cotter should've told Ryan to piss off. A shame we can't just pick Oudenryn right now

Why can't you?