Sam Whitelock likely to be rested for the QF due to his Achilles niggle to get him ready for a potential SF,taking the gamble that they beat the Dura so Whitelock can play his last game in ChCh in the SF.

Off set by Ollie Jager and Ethan Blackadder returning.

@Chris Zach Gallagher sounds doubtful, as well.

Barrett and Strange as our locking pair, Ethan at 6, Gardiner onto the bench as reserve lock?

Just been thinking about why the Crusaders have been playing "headless chook" rugby a bit this year. The stupidity of playing all the rugby in your own 22 last weekend is a classic example. I think they are missing Bryn Hall big time.

@Chris-B
Yeah I think that maybe it,
Jager for Afoa as well.

Willie Heinz back at training today.

Referee Brendon Pickerill

@Number-10

Ohhhh FFS

@Chris Wasn't he also the ref for the round robin game in Fiji?

@Stargazer

Yeah he was .

Or the text version:

1 Tamaiti Williams
2 Codie Taylor (vc)
3 Oliver Jager
4 Scott Barrett (c)
5 Quinten Strange
6 Sione Havili Talitui
7 Tom Christie
8 Christian Lio-Willie
9 Mitchell Drummond
10 Richie Mo’unga
11 Leicester Fainga’anuku
12 Jack Goodhue (vc)
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Dallas McLeod
15 Will Jordan

16 Brodie McAlister
17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin
18 Reuben O’Neill
19 Zach Gallagher
20 Ethan Blackadder
21 Willi Heinz
22 Fergus Burke
23 Chay Fihaki

Whitelock Achilles that's seriously not good for world cup , update due

Pretty much as expected.

Good to see Gallagher and Drummie available.

To state the obvious, we can't afford any more injuries. The bench is pretty indicative of how thin resources are in plenty of positions behind the starting XV.

Assuming we can take care of the Drua - and I think we will - I'm hoping Sam Whitelock will be back at lock next week - which would allow Scott to 6, Ethan to 7 or 8, and maybe Tom/Christian and Sione on the bench.

@Chris-B yeah tough times when you have to reach deep into the bag of current and ex tier 1 internationals eh

@Bones said in QF: Crusaders v Drua:

@Chris-B yeah tough times when you have to reach deep into the bag of current and ex tier 1 internationals eh

There's literally a dozen guys in that team who could sign for the Highlanders and not make them any better.

@Chris-B said in QF: Crusaders v Drua:

@Bones said in QF: Crusaders v Drua:

@Chris-B yeah tough times when you have to reach deep into the bag of current and ex tier 1 internationals eh

There's literally a dozen guys in that team who could sign for the Highlanders and not make them any better.

Like literally like. Because literally just signing for a team doesn't make them better, you sly dog you.

There was a noticeable difference in the Saders pack with big Sam not coming out after the break last week, not just his physical presence but his leadership too, was clearly missed - From a national perspective, I really hope he is not rushed back unnecessarily early for Super rugby.

Bit of a banana skin quarter for the saders.. they should win this comfortably , in cold Chch conditions.... just don't want any more additions to the casualty list really

This could be a bloodbath