Crusaders v Blues - Sun 25th

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Sunday 25th April


WHERE:
Christchurch, NZ


VENUE:
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch


KICK OFF:
3.35pm Local
1.35pm Sydney/Brisbane/Melb
11.35pm Perth
3.35am Casablanca


MATCH OFFICIALS:

TBC

TEAMS:




Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. David Havili (VC) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele





Blues:
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 5. Sam Darry 6. Blake Gibson 7. Dalton Papalii (cc) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Jonathan Ruru 10. Harry Plummer 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Tanielu Tele’a 13. Rieko Ioane (cc) 14. Mark Telea 15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Marcel Renata 18. Ofa Tuungafasi 19. Taine Plumtree 20. Akira Ioane 21. Finlay Christie 22. Otere Black 23. AJ Lam

[Ymx]

Blatantly stolen from AC on PR.

Pretty much last chance for the Blues, a must win.

[Grandpa]

If they can't beat the Crusaders when they are injury ravaged then they don't deserve anything...

[Gumboot]

Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. David Havili (VC) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele


Blues:
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 5. Sam Darry 6. Blake Gibson 7. Dalton Papalii (cc) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Jonathan Ruru 10. Harry Plummer 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Tanielu Tele’a 13. Rieko Ioane (cc) 14. Mark Telea 15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Marcel Renata 18. Ofa Tuungafasi 19. Taine Plumtree 20. Akira Ioane 21. Finlay Christie 22. Otere Black 23. AJ Lam


Interesting that Blake Gibson has been named at 6 for the Blues ahead of incumbent ABs blindside Akira Ioane.

[FujiKiwi]

Interesting too, that the maturity and leadership we have all seen in Rieko Ioane's conduct in recent years has led him to be named Blues co-captain.

[Ymx]

Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. David Havili (VC) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele


Blues:
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 5. Sam Darry 6. Blake Gibson 7. Dalton Papalii (cc) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Jonathan Ruru 10. Harry Plummer 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Tanielu Tele’a 13. Rieko Ioane (cc) 14. Mark Telea 15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Marcel Renata 18. Ofa Tuungafasi 19. Taine Plumtree 20. Akira Ioane 21. Finlay Christie 22. Otere Black 23. AJ Lam


Interesting that Blake Gibson has been named at 6 for the Blues ahead of incumbent ABs blindside Akira Ioane.

Thanks.

[Grandpa]

Interesting too, that the maturity and leadership we have all seen in Rieko Ioane's conduct in recent years has led him to be named Blues co-captain.

Do you think it's been done to make him more accountable for his actions?

[Gumboot]

Interesting too, that the maturity and leadership we have all seen in Rieko Ioane's conduct in recent years has led him to be named Blues co-captain.

Do you think it's been done to make him more accountable for his actions?

What actions?

[FujiKiwi]

Interesting too, that the maturity and leadership we have all seen in Rieko Ioane's conduct in recent years has led him to be named Blues co-captain.

Do you think it's been done to make him more accountable for his actions?

What actions?

I agree that he’s probably been given the role to encourage him to grow up a bit. Not gloat and taunt the crowd when he scores a try. Not get involved in any childish name calling with the opposition etc.

[Kiwias]

I wonder if anyone has a friend with a working link?

[FujiKiwi]

I wonder if anyone has a friend with a working link?

This is working for me.

https://www.vipbox.lc/crusaders-vs-blues-1-live

I pay a whole lot of money to watch rugby on JSport. Which now no longer has the rights! Those belong to WOWOW now, FFS.

[Kiwias]

I wonder if anyone has a friend with a working link?

This is working for me.

https://www.vipbox.lc/crusaders-vs-blues-1-live

I pay a whole lot of money to watch rugby on JSport. Which now no longer has the rights! Those belong to WOWOW now, FFS.

I know and WOWOW does not have English commentary. JSport is talking about getting the rights back for next season.

[FujiKiwi]

12-0 at half time. It’s immensely frustrating to watch the Blues play. So inconsistent. Utterly clueless at some moments, completely toothless at others.

[Kiwias]

12-0 at half time. It’s immensely frustrating to watch the Blues play. So inconsistent. Utterly clueless at some moments, completely toothless at others.

Sometimes they manage to multi-task and be both utterly clueless and completely toothless at the same time.

[Ymx]

So that’s the chiefs in the final, unless I’m mistaken.

[FujiKiwi]

So that’s the chiefs in the final, unless I’m mistaken.

Is it? If so, it's well deserved. . The Blues certainly don't deserve to be there.

So the Highlanders are out, then?

[Ymx]

So that’s the chiefs in the final, unless I’m mistaken.

Is it? If so, it's well deserved. . The Blues certainly don't deserve to be there.

So the Highlanders are out, then?

Actually, just checking the table, think you’re 5 off the chiefs.

So a win with BP (and outside 7) would see you level on points and better points diff. Highlanders are 6 off the chiefs.

[Gumboot]

So that’s the chiefs in the final, unless I’m mistaken.

Is it? If so, it's well deserved. . The Blues certainly don't deserve to be there.

So true, taking nothing away from the Saders but the Blues were complete shit today.

[Biffer]

The Blues are awful. They seem to be less than the sum of their parts. Horribly inconsistent, badly organised, some players just look like they’re going through the motions, all sorts of sloppy play. Feel sorry for the small number of players who seem to be knocking their pans in trying to get it working.

Crusaders are good, but it’s not a great team by their standards.

[FujiKiwi]

The Blues have excellent potential in the forwards.

The backs are a mix of mediocrities, some of them wildly overhyped.

[Kiwias]

The Blues have excellent potential in the forwards.

The backs are a mix of mediocrities, some of them wildly overhyped.

Tuipulotu seems to have faded badly this season, putting him out of the running for an AB spot.

[Ymx]

The Blues have excellent potential in the forwards.

The backs are a mix of mediocrities, some of them wildly overhyped.

Tuipulotu seems to have faded badly this season, putting him out of the running for an AB spot.

Are you trying to kill off FK’s last bit of positivity towards the blues?

[FujiKiwi]

The Blues have excellent potential in the forwards.

The backs are a mix of mediocrities, some of them wildly overhyped.

Tuipulotu seems to have faded badly this season, putting him out of the running for an AB spot.

Are you trying to kill off FK’s last bit of positivity towards the blues?

I’m not a fan of Paddy T as an AB anyway. Drops the ball cold too often, at crucial times.

He’s a fine enough Super player and we missed him on Saturday.

[Kiwias]

Tuipulotu seems to have faded badly this season, putting him out of the running for an AB spot.

Are you trying to kill off FK’s last bit of positivity towards the blues?

I’m not a fan of Paddy T as an AB anyway. Drops the ball cold too often, at crucial times.

He’s a fine enough Super player and we missed him on Saturday.

I am a big fan of the player PT has the potential to become but he continually fails to fulfil his potential.