The Crusaders team hasn't been named yet, however the Tahs have made some interesting changes

Foley is out with concussion so they have a flyhalf on debut (Mack Mason). Greg's son Cam starts and Folau into the centres

Cam Clark, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, David Horwitz, Andrew Kellaway, Mack Mason, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson.

Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, David McDuling, Michael Wells, Nick Phipps, Irae Simone, Taqele Naiyaravoro

Crusaders by a THOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWSAND

Showers increasing on Sunday, Heavy track. Tahs with only about 25 decent minutes of footy the whole year. It'll be murder.

@NTA

Do you know anything about the new 10?

@Duluth not much - all of it second hand:

QLD U20
Played for us at the WR U20 tournament and was probably our best player against the other boys.
Against the men? Well at NRC level he was reportedly missing as many tackles as he made.

David Havili, Digby Ioane, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Whetu Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Marty McKenzie, Manasa Mataele

I'm happy that Whetu Douglas is making the most of his opportunity after what would have been a surprise callup. It will be interesting to see if he remains with the squad after Read returns.

Wyatt Crockett to equal Kevin Mealamu's record of 175 Super Rugby caps!

@Bovidae I believe his club is expecting that to happen

I hope the Crusaders have a plan if Skelton does his usual niggly stuff.

@Wally said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

I hope the Crusaders have a plan if Skelton does his usual niggly stuff.

Like last time: let him get booked for something that would be ignored for a Kiwi player.

@NTA said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

@Wally said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

I hope the Crusaders have a plan if Skelton does his usual niggly stuff.

Like last time: let him get booked for something that would be ignored for a Kiwi player.

Like Luatua? Don't think that conspiracy holds much water.

@NTA
Tip tackle on Whitelock?

@NTA said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

@Wally said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

I hope the Crusaders have a plan if Skelton does his usual niggly stuff.

Like last time: let him get booked for something that would be ignored for a Kiwi player.

He IS a kiwi player. He's just been seduced by the dark side and turned into a dick.

@Crucial said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

@NTA said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

@Wally said in Crusaders vs Waratahs:

I hope the Crusaders have a plan if Skelton does his usual niggly stuff.

Like last time: let him get booked for something that would be ignored for a Kiwi player.

He IS a kiwi player. He's just been seduced by the dark side and turned into a dick.

Funny how the second part never takes much effort :thinking:

@NTA we acclimatise pretty quick

@taniwharugby like a second skun...

The world according to Hooper (he must live in another reality):

Hooper believes the classy and grit of the Waratahs' victory, featuring four unanswered second-half tries, was the ideal preparation and confidence booster for the Crusaders.

He even believes facing the winless Rebels after three straight defeats posed a bigger challenge than opposing the seven-times champions from Christchurch.

@Stargazer well he did make those comments on April 1...

@Stargazer They've made a pact! Look out!

I guess the Rebels were tougher in the sense that the Waratahs were expected to win, whereas they are expected to lose this game, so nothing to lose....