@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Darry will be at Auckland, next year after Canterbury contract ends , must be following Segner

Yeah Canterbury have a lot of young locks coming through.
Gallagher,Cahill,Hannah plus a couple in the u/20s Sa,Jack and Frost.
He played poorly in last NPC for Canterbury time to move on.

Looking at the locks to come out of the Canterbury region the past 5 years (both those schooled there and those imported) and I really think the Crusaders have missed out on the best two (Holland and Darry).

I won't comment on those U20s guys, but IMO Gallagher, Cahill and Hannah all end up as journeyman. Darry could join them there, but he looked quite good in pre-season plus the early minutes prior to his injury.

Time will tell they are young for locks.
Hannah looks like a real athlete to me.
The u/20 locks are all big units for their age
Will at least be one AB out of those 3,

Darry was poor for his first 2 years in SR even Blues fans on here were bagging him for being shit.
Young locks need time Hannah and Cahill have only had a few minutes off the bench so far in their careers.
A bit early based on a few minutes to brand them journeymen just yet.

Darry took a while to fill out but started to turn a corner of late but seems a bit injury prone currently. Don't know how far he'll go but he's slowly starting to realize his potential. Key for him is to stay on the field.

Hannah looks a real prospect to me, a rare bright spot for the Crusaders so far. Still has a bit of bulk to put on which will happen over time.

@Chris wasn't Hannah who Barrett said was a player to watch this year?

From the games I've watched, the saders aren't massively far away, lacking polish and a 9/10, utilise Drummond/ Hotham more and when Burke is back (plus several other injured players) i reckon they'll look sharper.

But right now, will be a huge ask this weekend.

@Kirwan said in Blues v Crusaders:

Refs differently against the Blues, particularly when it's the Cantabs. When the pressure comes on he is wildly inconsistent.

Everyone reffed the Saders differently the previous 5 or so years. It's only Dolman so far this year who didn't get the memo to cease and desist.

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Kirwan said in Blues v Crusaders:

Refs differently against the Blues, particularly when it's the Cantabs. When the pressure comes on he is wildly inconsistent.

Everyone reffed the Saders differently the previous 5 or so years. It's only Dolman so far this year who didn't get the memo to cease and desist.

the last five years eh? ah well, at least Razor gets a claim to his titles from 2017 and 2018, as they are the only legit ones!

@taniwharugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris wasn't Hannah who Barrett said was a player to watch this year?

From the games I've watched, the saders aren't massively far away, lacking polish and a 9/10, utilise Drummond/ Hotham more and when Burke is back (plus several other injured players) i reckon they'll look sharper.

But right now, will be a huge ask this weekend.

Yeah Barret did mention Hannah.

@ruggabee said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Kirwan said in Blues v Crusaders:

Refs differently against the Blues, particularly when it's the Cantabs. When the pressure comes on he is wildly inconsistent.

Everyone reffed the Saders differently the previous 5 or so years. It's only Dolman so far this year who didn't get the memo to cease and desist.

the last five years eh? ah well, at least Razor gets a claim to his titles from 2017 and 2018, as they are the only legit ones!

They belong to Sam Whitelock

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@ruggabee said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Kirwan said in Blues v Crusaders:

Refs differently against the Blues, particularly when it's the Cantabs. When the pressure comes on he is wildly inconsistent.

Everyone reffed the Saders differently the previous 5 or so years. It's only Dolman so far this year who didn't get the memo to cease and desist.

the last five years eh? ah well, at least Razor gets a claim to his titles from 2017 and 2018, as they are the only legit ones!

They belong to Sam Whitelock

just like the 7 titles he won between 2010-2016? along with others in their athletic peak years such as McCaw, Carter, Read, Frank's Bros, Todd, Moody, Whitelock's, Romano, Bird, Crotty, SBW, Guilford, Fruean, Maitland, Crockett, Ellis, Taufua, Flynn, Laulala, Nadolo, Dagg, etc.. those titles?

@ruggabee Athletic park closed over two decades ago mate. It's apt it's a retirement village now.

Interesting stat from Stuff

Just one Crusader - Tom Christie - who started last year’s final against the Chiefs will start at Eden Park.

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Darry will be at Auckland, next year after Canterbury contract ends , must be following Segner

Yeah Canterbury have a lot of young locks coming through.
Gallagher,Cahill,Hannah plus a couple in the u/20s Sa,Jack and Frost.
He played poorly in last NPC for Canterbury time to move on.

Looking at the locks to come out of the Canterbury region the past 5 years (both those schooled there and those imported) and I really think the Crusaders have missed out on the best two (Holland and Darry).

I won't comment on those U20s guys, but IMO Gallagher, Cahill and Hannah all end up as journeyman. Darry could join them there, but he looked quite good in pre-season plus the early minutes prior to his injury.

Time will tell they are young for locks.
Hannah looks like a real athlete to me.
The u/20 locks are all big units for their age
Will at least be one AB out of those 3,

Darry was poor for his first 2 years in SR even Blues fans on here were bagging him for being shit.
Young locks need time Hannah and Cahill have only had a few minutes off the bench so far in their careers.
A bit early based on a few minutes to brand them journeymen just yet.

As I say, won't comment on the U20 locks but from what I have seen (namely for the U20s and in the NPC), Cahill just lacks a little bit across the board to go to the next level - not to say he won't be a tidy Super Rugby lock.

Gallagher will probably be very good for the Crusaders, but IMO he lacks the size to play test footy

Hannah could well surprise me - I admit, I have not seen much of him since he put all the size on.

Looks like it could be a wet weather game

@KiwiMurph looks ok at kick off but this is Auckland will suit our big pack

This Blues Pack is quite some size ,they are well over 900kg put together, not sure on Crusaders

@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Darry will be at Auckland, next year after Canterbury contract ends , must be following Segner

Yeah Canterbury have a lot of young locks coming through.
Gallagher,Cahill,Hannah plus a couple in the u/20s Sa,Jack and Frost.
He played poorly in last NPC for Canterbury time to move on.

Looking at the locks to come out of the Canterbury region the past 5 years (both those schooled there and those imported) and I really think the Crusaders have missed out on the best two (Holland and Darry).

I won't comment on those U20s guys, but IMO Gallagher, Cahill and Hannah all end up as journeyman. Darry could join them there, but he looked quite good in pre-season plus the early minutes prior to his injury.

Time will tell they are young for locks.
Hannah looks like a real athlete to me.
The u/20 locks are all big units for their age
Will at least be one AB out of those 3,

Darry was poor for his first 2 years in SR even Blues fans on here were bagging him for being shit.
Young locks need time Hannah and Cahill have only had a few minutes off the bench so far in their careers.
A bit early based on a few minutes to brand them journeymen just yet.

As I say, won't comment on the U20 locks but from what I have seen (namely for the U20s and in the NPC), Cahill just lacks a little bit across the board to go to the next level - not to say he won't be a tidy Super Rugby lock.

Gallagher will probably be very good for the Crusaders, but IMO he lacks the size to play test footy

Hannah could well surprise me - I admit, I have not seen much of him since he put all the size on.

Gallagher is not very tall but he is beefy.

@cgrant said in Blues v Crusaders:

@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@frugby said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Darry will be at Auckland, next year after Canterbury contract ends , must be following Segner

Yeah Canterbury have a lot of young locks coming through.
Gallagher,Cahill,Hannah plus a couple in the u/20s Sa,Jack and Frost.
He played poorly in last NPC for Canterbury time to move on.

Looking at the locks to come out of the Canterbury region the past 5 years (both those schooled there and those imported) and I really think the Crusaders have missed out on the best two (Holland and Darry).

I won't comment on those U20s guys, but IMO Gallagher, Cahill and Hannah all end up as journeyman. Darry could join them there, but he looked quite good in pre-season plus the early minutes prior to his injury.

Time will tell they are young for locks.
Hannah looks like a real athlete to me.
The u/20 locks are all big units for their age
Will at least be one AB out of those 3,

Darry was poor for his first 2 years in SR even Blues fans on here were bagging him for being shit.
Young locks need time Hannah and Cahill have only had a few minutes off the bench so far in their careers.
A bit early based on a few minutes to brand them journeymen just yet.

As I say, won't comment on the U20 locks but from what I have seen (namely for the U20s and in the NPC), Cahill just lacks a little bit across the board to go to the next level - not to say he won't be a tidy Super Rugby lock.

Gallagher will probably be very good for the Crusaders, but IMO he lacks the size to play test footy

Hannah could well surprise me - I admit, I have not seen much of him since he put all the size on.

Gallagher is not very tall but he is beefy.

Gallagher 197m 117 ks

Thought Hannah has looked good in his appearances

@Bones thought he was pretty good against the Chiefs?

@Tim said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Bones thought he was pretty good against the Chiefs?

Is that his only appearance? I just remember him carrying well and getting around the park.

@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Tim said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Bones thought he was pretty good against the Chiefs?

Is that his only appearance? I just remember him carrying well and getting around the park.

He came off the bench in all 4 games.this will be his first start v Blues.

I don't see anything special in Gallagher, and that goes back to watching him as captain of the NZ Schools team.

Back then Hannah looked like a walking broomstick. He had a high workrate and threw himself around but needed to put 20 kg on.

Just saw report that Strange and Crotty are out for Crusaders

Could this be covid related ?

Cahill starting. confirmed
,

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Could this be covid related ?

Yep covid

Do U no Crotty replacement yet ?

From the Crusaders website:

Quinten Strange has been ruled out of the starting XV after sustaining a neck injury in training. He’ll stay home as a precaution.  

Ryan Crotty also sustained a minor groin injury during Captain’s Run and has been ruled out of the Blues fixture. 

Tahlor Cahill takes Quin’s starting spot. Fletcher Anderson and Johnny McNicholl take spots on the bench, Anderson looking at a debut in the jersey. 

So I think this is the new side:

George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Willi Heinz, Riley Hohepa, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Joe Moody, Seb Calder, Fletcher Anderson, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Johnny McNicholl, Dallas McLeod

@Duluth so no covid involved then going by that?

@george33

I guess not. I only know what was on their website

Fletcher Anderson?

That Crusaders outfit is arguably starting to look the weakest NZ team on paper.

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Fletcher Anderson?

Open side flanker loaned out to Tasman last year.

Chris thanks , best of Luck mate it's not over until the final whistle

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Chris thanks , best of Luck mate it's not over until the final whistle

It could get ugly Blues by 25 I reckon.
Maybe your time this season.

U guys will dig deep, as you do ,Blues should win but the I've seen it all before

Chris Levi Aumua is this his game to finally get his Mojo with Crusaders?

@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Chris Levi Aumua is this his game to finally get his Mojo with Crusaders?

Hopefully he just needs his hands on the ball more,1 or 2 runs a game is a waste.

I’m fucking soaked.

I wonder when the blues last beat the crusaders at eden park