Crusaders Vs Rebels: Saturday July 9 2016

[Mr Wobbly]

Round 16 - Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch. 5:35PM

Last time these teams met in NZ (round 1, 2015), the Rebels recorded their first and only win across the dutch, 20-10. Surely one of the most magnificent victories in the entire history of rugby!

Unfortunately, this year, there is some talk the Rebels will struggle to find 23 blokes to suit up -

“Injuries have been a constant for us all season, at the moment we’ve got six guys who are unavailable for the season that have been on a long term injury list and we’ve got another eight guys in doubt for this weekend,” McGahan said.
“We’re just looking at who we can get on the pitch, whether they’re young or old, we’re not really concerned, we’re just making sure that we’ve got the numbers to mix and match.
“We’re picking the best side every week of what’s available.”

Tony McGahan

 

[KevinO]

We are SCREWED!!! Stormers scored 50 points at home, think it might be a cricket score this weekend.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

I'd like to see Rob Leota get a run off the bench. I thought he was really impressive with the minutes he got in the U20s WC (he should have played a lot more than he did).

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Near worst case scenario team:

Smith
Hanson
Weeks
Jefferies
Retallick
McMahon
Reid
Fainga'a
Meehan
JD
Asquith
Tuipulotu
Inman
English
Hodge

Leafa
Ah Nau
Moloney
Cummins
Leota
Fuglitaller
Snowden
Alofa

 

[swingpass]

teams up

a number of surprises

The Melbourne Rebels have named two Victorians in a 23-player team for the first time in the club’s history with the inclusions of Sione Tuipulotu and Rob Leota for the Crusaders game on Saturday.
Tuipulotu, who has made four appearances for the Rebels, will make his first start since his debut against the Reds in Round 3 while the uncapped Leota is a step closer to making his Super Rugby debut after being named on the bench for the first time in his career.
Injury has forced Rebels coach Tony McGahan to make comprehensive changes to the 23-player team for the club’s penultimate game against the Crusaders at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Hooker James Hanson, flyhalf Jack Debreczeni and winger Tom English are the only three players to retain their positions from last weekend’s defeat to the Stormers.
A total seven changes have been made to the starting 15 with captain Nic Stirzaker, Laurie Weeks, Adam Thomson and Mike Harris returning from injury while Sam Jeffries, Culum Retallick and Tuipulotu have been promoted.
Retallick will make his run-on debut for the Rebels, Weeks returns to the starting line up for the first time after a hamstring injury sidelined the prop since Round 9 and Jeffries makes his third career Super Rugby start.
After starting the last two games at Tighthead, Toby Smith returns to Loosehead Prop while Colby Fainga’a moves to flanker alongside Jordy Reid as Thomson starts at No.8.
Stirzaker and Harris, both unavailable for the Stormers game with ankle injuries, return to scrumhalf and fullback, respectively, with Reece Hodge shifted to Inside Centre and Sefa Naivalu to the right wing.
Sean McMahon will miss his first Rebels game since Round 13 2015 while locks Luke Jones and Lopeti Timani have failed to overcome first-half concussions sustained last weekend.
“The inclusion of Sione and Rob is a historic milestone for the Melbourne Rebels and a fitting reward for the hard work of everyone behind the scenes in Victorian Rugby to develop local talent,” McGahan said.
“Unfortunately injuries have been the story of our season, which has made weekly team selection a challenge throughout the year, but it continues to provide opportunities for others.
“Numbers were touch and go at the start of the week but we’re pleased to welcome back a wealth of experience in Nic, Laurie, Adam and Mike for arguably the hardest road trip in Super Rugby against the Crusaders.”
Paul Asquith has retained his spot on the bench after making his debut last weekend and Steve Cummins has been included as a reserve for the first time since Round 2 against the Bulls in Pretoria.
The Rebels claimed their only victory on New Zealand soil with a 20-10 win when they last met the Crusaders across the Tasman – the only Australian side to claim victory in Christchurch in 12 years.
The two sides are evenly poised with the Rebels and Crusaders, who sit in second position in the New Zealand Conference and are still competing for a finals berth, splitting the four previous results.
The Melbourne Rebels take on the Crusaders in their second last game of the season on Saturday at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, from 5.35pm (AEST).

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Any word on why Sean isn't playing?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser, Angus Mabey
TMO: Aaron Paterson

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Alex Hodgman. Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alalaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samo, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitch Hunt, 23 Kieran Fonotia

Read being rested so Whitelock has the (c) in his 100th.

 

[swingpass]

Any word on why Sean isn't playing?

groin soreness

 

[KevinO]

Our best forward pack for Line out options all year.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

The match preview is up on the blog, for your viewing pleasure

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/match-preview-crusaders-v-rebels/

 

[Tordah]

Jack Debreczeni must be the most regularly charged down 10 in Super Rugby

 

[mst]

Um holding the ball....


Tackling?

 

[swingpass]

I cant watch this massacre

 

[mst]

Saders win the race to 2 tries @5mins. Edit - 3 in 9mins!

Blues - 7mins, Chiefs - 13mins to score twice.

 

[Scooter]

Always going to be tough. Missed 6 tackles in first 30 seconds was a bad sign. Missing tackles, dropped balls, turnovers at breakdown.

Mike Harris didn't last 8 minutes. 21-0 to Crusaders after 11 minutes. They could score 100.

 

[mst]

So the Rebels will end the season not beating a team above them.

 

[KevinO]

Horrible, time for TT to go. 50 points at home against last week and thiss week the Saders will score 100. ARU can't protect him no more.



Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

 

[Scooter]

Saders have bonus point inside 15 minutes.

 

[Tordah]

unbelievable error rate from the Rebels. They should get docked points for not turning up to the game

 

[mst]

Look Mum no hands!

Thats 5!

Sad times being an supporter of an Aussie team when you feel better because your teams flogging was less than the other Aussie teams!