Crusaders v Blues a.k.a. NZ's festum odii

[KiwiM]

Yeah it's going to be fascinating.

Last year Crusaders targeted Telea - bombarding him with high balls which he really struggled with. I would imagine something similar this week.

Blues locks are going to have to really step up. Whitelock and Barrett provide so much power in the scrum and their lineout work is top notch.

Should be an absolute cracker.

 

[KiwiM]

Venue: Eden Park
Date: Sun 21st March, 2021.
Time: 3:35 NZT
Ref: Paul Williams (Chch)
AR: Paul Williams (Chch)
AR: Paul Williams (Chch)
TMO: Paul Williams (Chch)

Not far off

Blues v Crusaders
Sunday 21 March, 3:35pm
Eden Park, Auckland
Specsavers Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant 2: James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Specsavers Referee: Paul Williams

In the very 1st minute of the match the Blues captain should stop the game and say to him "Sir, we'd like to use our only Captain's Referral of the game to ask the TMO whether or not, you are, in fact, a c**t".

 

[Dan54]

In the very 1st minute of the match the Blues captain should stop the game and say to him "Sir, we'd like to use our only Captain's Referral of the game to ask the TMO whether or not, you are, in fact, a c**t".

Haha I actually did something like that when I was managing a team in Brisbane DP, the ref had pissed me off a lot during game (and I usually on refs side), anyway at end of game as I got team sheet signed he wrote some comment about our team which was overtop, so I asked him about it, he told me he was quite entitled even encouraged to add these thing. So I asked him if it was ok if I also added that I though the ref was an arsehole, he wasn't sure if it was against rules to be fair. And I admit it did break the ice and started a bit of a laugh from him. I actually felt a little bad later .

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tom Christie has dislocated his shoulder so won't be available Sunday. Simone Havili an adequate replacement but bench could be an issue esp if Grace and/ or Blackadder aren't available either.

 

[Dan54]

Tom Christie has dislocated his shoulder so won't be available Sunday. Simone Havili an adequate replacement but bench could be an issue esp if Grace and/ or Blackadder aren't available either.

Think both are available, by geez the Crusader's will want best loosie in track this week with the Bues lot!

 

[zer0]

Blake Gibson is available for (likely) selection in the absence of Papali'i.

"Dalton failed his HIA at the weekend. He took a knock to his nose and head, and we’ve given him this week off," Coventry confirmed. "We had Blake in the wings. He was available for selection last week, but we were planning on giving Dalton a rest anyway, as he was a bit banged up the week before. Blake comes in there, and he’s a good boy."

Meanwhile Hunt has ongoing concussion issues and may be out for the season.

Coventry confirmed Hunt, who had joined the franchise from the Highlanders, could potentially miss the entire season as he worked through ongoing head issues.

'Dillon has been given a reprieve around trying to get himself available for selection which can cause a bit of anxiety for guys with head injuries. He’s been given time go away and seek medical advice. He’s working with specialists and it’s taken the pressure off him to be back by a certain date,' said Coventry.

But Coventry confirmed Hunt’s situation was serious enough that 'we may not have him this year"

Finally, their fourth All Black prop in Alex Hodgman is also available for selection.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ibson-return-offsets-dalton-papalii-defection

 

[KiwiM]

 

[Dan54]

Blake Gibson is available for (likely) selection in the absence of Papali'i.

It almost seems an age ago that Gibson was been annointed the next coming of Richie, shows how injuries can stuff you in this game. Also with Jacobson from Chiefs, you almost feel time has passed them by.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

CruSadists: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Ala'alatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Dallas McLeod.

 

[KiwiM]

Blues: Stephen Perofetra, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru; Hoskins Sotutu, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Nepo Laulala, Luteru Tolai, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tom Robinson, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, TJ Faiane.

 

[Dan54]

That there is a couple of not bad teams. When I line them up face to face I beginning to think maybe Crusaders?
Front row= Maybe Crusaders because I think Taylor is so much ahead of Tolai, and not sure Blues props can compensate.
Second row= Crusaders
Loosies = Blues, and would be more if Papali'i there
9-10= Crusaders by a touch, but Blues loosies could get amonst them.
Midfield= Crusaders by a touch, Havili is playing great at 12, and Ioane don't think can compensate
Back 3= Crusaders by a bit, Jordan, Reece and Fainga'anuku would grace any Test team, and perhaps Heem and Perofata are just a class below.

And bench there quite a gulf.

But the Blues at home may just be fired up enough to go well and every chance that Scott Barrett will get carded doing something dumb so...................

 

[KiwiM]

And bench there quite a gulf.

Huh? The Blues bench is bloody strong

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I'm mentally preparing myself for a Loss Bleus win & however many weeks of torment at the hands of the Three Horsemen of the Auckpocalypse I have to endure until the rematch. I'm also hoping like hell that the entire population of Auckland has been following Covid protocols so we actually get a game tomorrow.

 

[Dan54]

Huh? The Blues bench is bloody strong

Yep you probably right too Kiwi, think I took too much notice of Crusaders having McLeod and Drummond on bench, where as Blue's forwrds on bench a pretty good.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^Aucks have gone 6/2 & man for man I'd say at least four are better than their likely opponent once they get out there. I'm genuinely thinking that if CruSadists aren't 15-20 up at HT they'll get run down in the last 20 c/- scrum penalties & truck&trailers I mean rolling mauls.

 

[Dan54]

You sound like a man feeding the mocker gods WOB. I enjoying being on the fence on this one so will just enjoy the game.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ let's just say I'm only 55% confident of victory.

 

[Dan54]

^ let's just say I'm only 55% confident of victory.

About right I think.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ hope so