Crusaders v Hurricanes : MATCH THREAD : Sat 25th Jul

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Sat 25th Jul

KICK OFF:
Local - 7.05pm

WHERE:
Christchurch, NZ



VENUE:
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch



MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2: Mike Fraser

TEAMS:









Jordie Barrett,
Wes Goosen,
Peter Umaga-Jensen,
Ngani Laumape,
Ben Lam,
Jackson Garden-Bachop,
TJ Perenara (captain),

Ardie Savea,
Du’Plessis Kirifi,
Reed Prinsep,
Scott Scrafton,
James Blackwell,
Tyrel Lomax,
Asafo Aumua,
Fraser Armstrong.

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Jamie Booth, Vince Aso, Chase Tiatia

[Ymx]

Can’t believe we are getting another massive game so soon. This comp rocks !

[FujiKiwi]

North Island is best island.

[Not_Couch]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

[FujiKiwi]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

Aw, that’s wishful thinking, especially with the Saders having home advantage. I see a safe Saders win.

[Ymx]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

OP fixed for you.

[Not_Couch]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

Aw, that’s wishful thinking, especially with the Saders having home advantage. I see a safe Saders win.

As much as I don't see us coming away with the win, the blues did show us some vulnerability in the Crusaders, tough defence will be key as well as set piece, in saying that the last team to beat the Crusaders at home was the Canes, so I'm hoping we can mimic that day

[Ymx]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

Aw, that’s wishful thinking, especially with the Saders having home advantage. I see a safe Saders win.

As much as I don't see us coming away with the win, the blues did show us some vulnerability in the Crusaders, tough defence will be key as well as set piece, in saying that the last team to beat the Crusaders at home was the Canes, so I'm hoping we can mimic that day

The blues defence was bullet proof in the first half. It took some R Mo magic to get us over the line.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Please don't make the Canes wear those ugly blue / grey shirts again.

Canes by 1

Aw, that’s wishful thinking, especially with the Saders having home advantage. I see a safe Saders win.

As much as I don't see us coming away with the win, the blues did show us some vulnerability in the Crusaders, tough defence will be key as well as set piece, in saying that the last team to beat the Crusaders at home was the Canes, so I'm hoping we can mimic that day

You will be henceforth known as Leona Lewis.

Keep, keep dreaming, keep, keep dreaming.

[Jb1981]

I’m really enjoying this competition. After the Hurricanes win yesterday this is another “game of the season”. It’s a must win for them and if the Crusaders claim it,
would have them in touching distance of the title.

On paper the Crusaders should take it; the forward pack and big game players should be too much. But, if players like Laumape fire up like last night, who knows.

I will be nervously excited heading in.

[stemoc]

Jordan vs Barret hopefully (razor put will at 15 not havili), to decide the next all black fullback

[Ymx]

I’m really enjoying this competition. After the Hurricanes win yesterday this is another “game of the season”. It’s a must win for them and if the Crusaders claim it,
would have them in touching distance of the title.

On paper the Crusaders should take it; the forward pack and big game players should be too much. But, if players like Laumape fire up like last night, who knows.

I will be nervously excited heading in.

I’m exactly the same. This is the new game of the season. Scintillating form of the Canes.

Why are we getting teams in peak form?

[FujiKiwi]

Jordan vs Barret hopefully (razor put will at 15 not havili), to decide the next all black fullback

I'm backing Will Jordan for long-term AB fullback, with Jordy as a useful bench player.

Not to be too simplistic, but all Barretts are excellent bench players and mediocre starters.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Jordan vs Barret hopefully (razor put will at 15 not havili), to decide the next all black fullback

I'm backing Will Jordan for long-term AB fullback, with Jordy as a useful bench player.

Not to be too simplistic, but all Barretts are excellent bench players and mediocre starters.

* Thinking emoticon *

[Canes4Eva]

Jordan vs Barret hopefully (razor put will at 15 not havili), to decide the next all black fullback

I'm backing Will Jordan for long-term AB fullback, with Jordy as a useful bench player.

Not to be too simplistic, but all Barretts are excellent bench players and mediocre starters.

BB - hold my beer

[Ymx]

He’s not wrong though.

Having said that the Barrett are bench players you want on after say 15 mins.

[Gumboot]

David Havili is out for the rest of the Supe season with a broken thumb. Bad luck for him, but Will Jordan's not a bad replacement.

[FujiKiwi]

Sorry to hear about Havili. He’s been playing very well.

[Gumboot]

Sorry to hear about Havili. He’s been playing very well.

Yep, he's been in great nick. Think I read somewhere that he had stomach surgery during lock-down as well.

[FujiKiwi]

Sorry to hear about Havili. He’s been playing very well.

Yep, he's been in great nick. Think I read somewhere that he had stomach surgery during lock-down as well.

He’s a very good player. Rather than being a speedster or stepper, he just has this great sense of balance.

[Ymx]

Something as small as a broken thumb to end your season.

[FujiKiwi]

Here's the Stuff article on Havili's unavailability and the injury-hit Crusader's overall situation.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... the-season

Having not carried a specialist pivot to cover Richie Mo’unga in their first four games, Brett Cameron and Fergus Burke will come into the selection equation.

In the two matches Havili missed pre Covid-19, when he lost a 20cm section of his bowel due to a nasty infection, the Crusaders used George Bridge at fullback while Will Jordan was nursing a groin injury.

However, the Crusaders, five points clear of the Blues at the top of the ladder with a game in hand, are expected to start the in-form Jordan at fullback down the stretch.

Jordan has a competition-high five tries to his name, despite coming off the bench in the team’s most recent match.

Leicester Faingaanuku is likely to be named on the bench when coach Scott Robertson names his side on Thursday afternoon.

Having started at blindside flanker against the Blues before the bye, Tom Sanders will likely continue to don the No 6 jersey and fill the void left by Grace and Blackadder

“We're going to be tested now with our depth, but we trust everyone, and we back everyone to do a job,’’ Ryan said.

[FujiKiwi]

Something as small as a broken thumb to end your season.

Um, YMX: Little help?

I'm trying to make a match thread for the Blues/Chiefs game. How did you link the excellent photos you have here?

[Taranaki Snapper]

[FujiKiwi]

According to Stuff, Hurricanes are looking back to their 2016 demolition of the Crusaders to inspire them to victory this weekend:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... -challenge

The likes of TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea and Dane Coles - and current assistant coach Cory Jane - were in the Hurricanes team that night and some relayed their experiences of toppling the mighty red team.

“They showed a video [on Tuesday], the last time the team beat the Crusaders [at home] was the Hurricanes in 2016. A few of those players were in the room and shared a moment of how that week and that buildup was, and how it was to play in that game,” said Hurricanes wing Kobus van Wyk.

“Everyone will be ready for this game, it’s the game we want to play in, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Both sides are barely recognisable from that night four years ago, with the only Crusaders back from that starting XV Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock and Codie Taylor. Perenara, Savea, Coles and Vaea Fifita are the current Hurricanes who started in 2016.

Coaches Holland and Scott Robertson name their sides on Thursday, with the TAB installing the hosts as hot favourites to make it 37 straight at home: $1.20 to the Hurricanes $4.10.

[JPNZ]

Crusaders:

Will Jordan
Sevu Reece
Fetuli Paea
Jack Goodhue
George Bridge
Richie Mo’unga
Bryn Hall
Whetukamokamo Douglas
Tom Christie
Tom Sanders
Mitchell Dunshea
Samuel Whitelock
Michael Alaalatoa
Codie Taylor (captain)
Joe Moody

Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Leicester Fainga’anuku.



Hurricanes:
Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara (captain), Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Jamie Booth, Vince Aso, Chase Tiatia.

[Ymx]

[FujiKiwi]

Coles omission is because of a back injury.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... clash.html

I don't think they lose that much starting Aumua!

[JPNZ]

Crusaders home record and advantage too much here for mine. Weather will be perfect for midwinter rugby, cold and clear with a slight breeze & 5c by kickoff.

Crusaders 13+

[FujiKiwi]

Yep. Pork swords on the chopping boards:

Crusaders by 17.

[Kiwias]

I would be happy with a bp win.

[Ymx]

Saders by 8

I never normally do this as feel it’s bad karma.

[Enzedder]

I would be happy with a bp win.

That would wrap up the Championship, wouldn't it? A loss is required and requested thanks.

[Not_Couch]

Hurricanes by 2, I have a funny feeling about this game.

[Turbster]

Paea seems a strange choice at 13 for the Saders doesn't it? Specially after Umaga-Jensen's blockbusting efforts last week? He might get steamrolled.

[FujiKiwi]

Paea seems a strange choice at 13 for the Saders doesn't it? Specially after Umaga-Jensen's blockbusting efforts last week? He might get steamrolled.

The midfield combo of Laumape and Umaga-Jensen put on the best combined midfield performance of the year. You're right. If the Hurricanes have any hope of competing, it could be here.

[Ymx]

Lumpys performance the other day was terrifying for other teams.

AC used to bang on about his lack of size.

But I’ve never seen it. He has always been able to bash through the line.

[FujiKiwi]

Although Laumape can’t get any taller, he does seemed to have bulked up since last year. Maybe he got told to, or maybe it’s just extra gym time through the lockdown. The good news is it doesn’t seem to have cost him any dynamism.

[Ymx]

Although Laumape can’t get any taller, he does seemed to have bulked up since last year. Maybe he got told to, or maybe it’s just extra gym time through the lockdown. The good news is it doesn’t seem to have cost him any dynamism.

He made a fool of BB’s defence.

I wonder if he will be directing his charges down R Mo channels. It would be the most obvious game plan.

[FujiKiwi]

Although Laumape can’t get any taller, he does seemed to have bulked up since last year. Maybe he got told to, or maybe it’s just extra gym time through the lockdown. The good news is it doesn’t seem to have cost him any dynamism.

He made a fool of BB’s defence.

I wonder if he will be directing his charges down R Mo channels. It would be the most obvious game plan.

Maybe. Though in the two great runs I remember from last week, his team had manipulated some space for him out wide. Clever play to set up those bruising charges.