Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway

RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste

So, Scott Barrett back

Havili returns from the bench and is covering 10

Blackadder at 7 & Grace is a blindside this week. Grace's 50th game

McNicholl at fullback

How is Aumua undropable?

Better looking team
Bower and Newell starting,Barrett back looks better for the tight 5
Blackadder to 7 makes for a slightly bigger LF trio Grace at 6 where he started his SR looks better to me.
Reihana much better choice at First Five
Murray really deserves a start he was very good v Drua.
Havilli covering 10 looks better as well.
McNicol and FB good choice Fihaki has dropped off the last couple of weeks.

Referee: Angus Mabey

Assistant Referees: Nick Hogan, Anthony Petrie

Interesting game this one, Rebels will be a tougher opponent than the Force but I’m picking the Saders to do the job at home.

If the forwards show up, the Evil empire should do this easily. Blackadder and Grace in their best positions, and Lio-Willie is class.

I still think they should switch just run a kick/chase forward oriented game but I guess recently they just haven’t been accurate or disciplined enough to even do that.

If they show up this week, I’ll be interested to see if the chirping from the Canes fans continues - win this and I think they are just on target for 8th place.

Well I got Crusaders in my picks, and genuinely think they can/will do this.

Mind you I was pretty confident last week too!!!

@gt12 said in Crusaders v Rebels:

If the forwards show up, the Evil empire should do this easily. Blackadder and Grace in their best positions, and Lio-Willie is class.

I still think they should switch just run a kick/chase forward oriented game but I guess recently they just haven’t been accurate or disciplined enough to even do that.

If they show up this week, I’ll be interested to see if the chirping from the Canes fans continues - win this and I think they are just on target for 8th place.

Now that he’s on the blindside will that make him more inclined to actually run back and defend ?

@gt12 said in Crusaders v Rebels:

If they show up this week, I’ll be interested to see if the chirping from the Canes fans continues - win this and I think they are just on target for 8th place.

The Crusaders have a run of home games to finish. As I said previously, they have been much better playing at home. A last minute loss to the Hurricanes and the win over the Chiefs. Winning on the road is the problem.

@Bovidae Yeah in Melbourne, I'd back the Rebels here but as you said, they've only played twice at home so far and we're very good in those 2 performances so I'd expect a far better showing from them this week. Better side on paper too imo as @Chris pointed out.

Expecting a comfy Crusaders win. Will be interesting to see the pressure if the Rebels score first though

Joe moody never puts his arms around mates shoulders, he always holds on to the bottom of their shorts. Weird

That was awful McLeod

I like that advantage call. It’s not the way a scrum penalty is normally reffed though

Reihana misses touch on a penalty kick.

What a clown show, apart from scrum

That scrum PK shouldn't be a PK.

Crusaders pushed them back and ruined the ball. I didn't see anything obvious the Rebels did that was illegal.

@Damo said in Crusaders v Rebels:

That scrum PK shouldn't be a PK.

Crusaders pushed them back and ruined the ball. I didn't see anything obvious the Rebels did that was illegal.

Loosies disengaged,,I think