Never lost a home playoff game. That’s some stat.

Last game the Blues played in Christchurch really went down to the wire. How are the Saders going troopwise?

@SBW1 said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

Last game the Blues played in Christchurch really went down to the wire. How are the Saders going troopwise?

Tamaiti Williams is their biggest concern after coming off in the win against the Reds with a knee problem. Don't believe there has been any news as to what the issue is but it didn't look good. Would be a big loss.

Good position for the Blues to be in. Heavy underdogs, a horrible record in Chch, barely scraped to the playoffs after a very mediocre round robin, already gone a lot further than anyone thought they would say 6 weeks go so yeah, a free hit here for the Blues with nothing to lose (apart from the game of course).

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

a free hit here for the Blues with nothing to lose (apart from the game of course)

Yup. Exactly like it was vs the Chiefs this week

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

Good position for the Blues to be in. Heavy underdogs, a horrible record in Chch, barely scraped to the playoffs after a very mediocre round robin, already gone a lot further than anyone thought they would say 6 weeks go so yeah, a free hit here for the Blues with nothing to lose (apart from the game of course).

And a few players with chips on their shoulders. They are playing with house money

Saders have already overachieved this season by just being in the finals after finishing 9th last year with pretty much the same team.

And now we face the defending champions in a semi final.

No expectations from here on in.

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

Saders have already overachieved this season by just being in the finals after finishing 9th last year with pretty much the same team.

And now we face the defending champions in a semi final.

No expectations from here on in.

I thought last year never happened......

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

Saders have already overachieved this season by just being in the finals after finishing 9th last year with pretty much the same team.

And now we face the defending champions in a semi final.

No expectations from here on in.

Crusaders have never lost a home semi. There will be an expectation to win for the team.

Blues would have taken a shit ton of self belief from the Chiefs game. They'll believe they can do it again.

hahaha, Crusaders supporters starting to talk down their team's chances.

We've won once there in forever.
Never lost a home playoff game.
Blues have stunk up the joint this year.

Seriously, stop the race to the underdog ... TAB has Blues at $2.70 to win and that seems about right

I think this could be a very big match for Christian Lio-Willie. I suspect if he plays well in this game and the Crusaders win then he could be named on the 23rd.

@brodean same should apply to Sotutu, who started slowly but has built into things nicely, playing a key role on Saturday.

@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

@brodean same should apply to Sotutu, who started slowly but has built into things nicely, playing a key role on Saturday.

I still hold out hope that his slow start to the season (although there were both injury and suspension) was due to the ABs telling him he was in and to pace himself to peak late like the incumbent ABs do, rather than going hell for leather all Super season and standing out but then being knackered at test time (and yeah I do know I'm delusional).

Hoping to see a strong performance from Lam to push his case too. And Blackadder so I can enjoy the wailing of the naysayers on here.

@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

hahaha, Crusaders supporters starting to talk down their team's chances.

We've won once there in forever.
Never lost a home playoff game.
Blues have stunk up the joint this year.

Seriously, stop the race to the underdog ... TAB has Blues at $2.70 to win and that seems about right

I fully expect a Blues win.

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

hahaha, Crusaders supporters starting to talk down their team's chances.

We've won once there in forever.
Never lost a home playoff game.
Blues have stunk up the joint this year.

Seriously, stop the race to the underdog ... TAB has Blues at $2.70 to win and that seems about right

I fully expect a Blues win.

Loss insurance!!!

Any news on Williams injury?

He's basically the Crusaders and the ABs best player. Well there is Savea for the ABs.

@brodean said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):

Any news on Williams injury?

He's basically the Crusaders and the ABs best player. Well there is Savea for the ABs.

And Blackadder

Blackadder must have the highest ratio of times he is mentioned on here to minutes "actually" playing of any current player.
Good luck to him.