Crusaders v Force R18 2012

[RugbyReg]

Great that Sharpie is back for a final Super Rugby hit out, but I fear for that team.

1. Tetera Faulkner
2. Nathan Charles
3. Salesi Manu
4. Toby Lynn
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. Angus Cottrell
8. Lachlan McCaffrey
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Ben Seymour
11. Napolioni Nalaga
12. Rory Sidey
13. Patrick Dellit
14. Nick Cummins
15. Alfie Mafi

16. Ben Whittaker
17. Ruan Smith
18. Pek Cowan
19. Ollie Atkins
20. Josh Holmes
21. Kyle Godwin
22. Will Tupou

 

[Moono75]

Very much an opportunity to give some squad members meaningful playing time against top opposition to see how they go.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Very much an opportunity to give some squad members meaningful playing time against top opposition to see how they go.

an opportunity missed you mean. Why not start Godwin?

 

[Moono75]

can't go completely all rookie. I'm sure Godwin will get some good minutes.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

can't go completely all rookie. I'm sure Godwin will get some good minutes.

Mate i rate godwin above Sidey anyday rookie or not. and why have 2 props on the bench with no Loosie?????

 

[Moono75]

Well Godwin and Sidey do play different positions but I get your point. Our centres pairing hasn't set the world on fire. Why not change things up for the last game. Nalaga has been coming in to do most of his work anyway. He has played more like a loose forward than a winger this year. Sidey....not sure of his long term future on the team. Might need to add another 5kg of muscle.

 

[p.Tah]

How has Tupou gone this year?

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Well Godwin and Sidey do play different positions but I get your point. Our centres pairing hasn't set the world on fire. Why not change things up for the last game. Nalaga has been coming in to do most of his work anyway. He has played more like a loose forward than a winger this year. Sidey..not sure of his long term future on the team. Might need to add another 5kg of muscle.

Gowdin is a 10/12 so is seymour and Mafi was brought to the force as a centre. The 12/13 crash ball thing hasnt been working for us all year why not try the duel playmakerr?? sidey is a winger/13 at best but im sorry a 12 he is not. And Delit is a Fullback/wing not a centre! RG didnt have a clue and Fucked the force. Good luck to the reds because next year Link will be the wallabies coach and you will be stuck with that idiot then wacht the shit hit the fan.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

How has Tupou gone this year?

He was injured for most of the year only been avaliable the last few games. He is very stong in defence havent seen much of him in attack yet (goes for most of the Force backs) I still rather see Cummings at 13 though has the defence and the attack. We need a top class ball playing 12 next year not so many of them around but i can dream.

 

[Moono75]

Tupou has been generally solid in defence though in the game against the Blues last week I remember a couple of times seeing him thrown around like a rag doll by couple of the Blues. He will be better having a year under his belt.

 

[qwerty51]

I worry for Faulkner and Manu up against the Franks bros

 

[GaffaCHinO]

I worry for Faulkner and Manu up against the Franks bros

Did you want last week? Not alot went well for the force but the srum was very very good. Manu and Faulkner where the front row pushing back Woodcock, Faumuina and Mealamu not a bad effort.

 

[qwerty51]

That's true, the scrums were a bit of a mess in the 1st half with Cowan on

 

[Tordah]

Did you want last week? Not alot went well for the force but the srum was very very good. Manu and Faulkner where the front row pushing back Woodcock, Faumuina and Mealamu not a bad effort.

Faumuina wasn't playing and Mailau is a considerable step down. Not to say the Force scrum isn't good, though. Still, expect the Crusaders scrum to dominate.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Faumuina wasn't playing and Mailau is a considerable step down. Not to say the Force scrum isn't good, though. Still, expect the Crusaders scrum to dominate.

you are correct sorry but still 3 Test players in both the Blues and and Saders front row.

 

[FrankLind]

Prediction - Force don't have snowball's chance in hell of winning this one.

 

[jermano]

The Crusaders lost to the Rebels, that was a surprise. What if two Aussie teams could do that this year

 

[Moono75]

It would be great to win this game and send Sharpie out in the style he so deserves. Talk about a champion of the club...he is the man.

Other than that I think as a Force fan I am looking towards 2013 and what can only be a better year and deciding which team to follow in the finals. Dare I break out an old Brumbies Super 12 jersey sitting in the back of the closet.

 

[Shiggins]

would love to see a win and if at home i could see it happening. We have done it before, but not away and with the saders needing a win for the finals.
Im afraid its on to next year.

Thanks for everything Sharpe! champion

 

[barbarian]

And oddly enough the Force and Crusaders have a reasonably close history.

Stranger things have happened.
.