Super Rugby Round 12, Rebels v Crusaders - Friday 4 May @ 7:45pm

[oztimmay]

Back at the Stockade, YAAAS!

Before you rate our chances, a reminder of past glories.

2012

2015

In this video, you can audibly hear the voice of Justin Marshall actually break.

So, how do you rate our chances peeps?

 

[charlesalan]

We have a different team and different coach, so the past is interesting but no guide to this weeks' game.
Right now, the Crusaders are on top of the table, so it will be a big challenge for our boys to defeat them. NZ teams play for 85 minutes and sometimes it has been said that AUstralian teams, this year, play for something less than that.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Goodhue & Mo'unga back from injury, Bridge in for Dagg plus some player rotation:

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Harry Allan, Michael Ala'alatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Bryn Hall, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

 

[Rebels3]

Mo'unga could of waited another week, how rude!

 

[Dan54]

Mo'unga could of waited another week, how rude!

Lol yep Rebel, those Crusader types have never been known to wait until they meant to!

 

[oztimmay]

Team hasn't been listed yet, but the Fox Sports articles shines a light on some of the picks.

Will Genia has been at his bossy best this week and Rebels coach Dave Wessels will welcome the return of his competitive edge for the clash with the Crusaders.

Genia missed the last two games in South Africa through injury and, against the defending champions and ladder leaders at AAMI Park, the Rebels need their Wallabies halfback in the commanding form he showed previously if they’re to halt their losing slide.

“Will’s just a competitor, he’s a world class player but he’s also very competitive and he’s a good organiser,” Wessels said.

“Just having his voice back in training this week has been valuable.

“If anyone misses their detail or their role he’s right on to them which is really handy.”

Wessels has made a number of changes to the pack, which struggled in last round’s loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

Fereti Sa’aga and Sam Talakai are promoted to starting props while lock Geoff Parling and flanker Colby Fainga’a also come into the run on side.

Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty is still missing through concussion.

Without Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese for another three weeks with an arm injury, ex-Force rake Nathan Charles has been named on the bench after only joining the club this week from UK club Bath.

 

[KevinO]

^^^Looks like Dave was reading some of my posts from last week. 3 out of 4 I was calling for. Not including Genia cause that was a given.

Hope Charles can perform, bloody line outs last week were the biggest disappointment.

 

[oztimmay]

More on positions, some shuffling in the backline. We get Maddocks back.

Genia’s return from a two-week hamstring strain is arguably the biggest boost as he was at the centre of all the team’s best play this season, while outside back Jack Maddocks comes back after hurting his ankle on the eve of last week’s loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Wessels has also shuffled his forward pack with local product Fereti Sa’aga and fellow prop Sam Talakai coming into the front row, Geoff Parling into lock and Colby Faianga starting as a flanker replacing Lopeti Timani.
Maddocks will return at full-back and Sefa Naivalu moves onto the wing with Tom English starting on the bench.
New hooker Nathan Charles comes straight onto the bench and is expected to play a part on Friday night’s game. Wessels pointed out Charles played for English club Bath just two weeks ago so is match fit.

Credit: Roy Ward, The Age.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/rug...ort-into-crusaders-clash-20180502-p4zcy7.html

 

[oztimmay]

Team for the 'Saders match.

TEAM

Rebels team to face the Crusaders
1. Fereti Sa’aga
2. Anaru Rangi
3. Sam Talakai
4. Geoff Parling
5. Adam Coleman (C)
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Colby Fainga’a
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Will Genia
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Billy Meakes
13. Reece Hodge
14. Sefa Naivalu
15. Jack Maddocks
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Tetera Faulkner
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Matt Philip
20. Lopeti Timani
21. Michael Ruru
22. Tom English
23. Semisi Tupou

 

[Rugbynutter39]

It would be great if the rebels just did not really suck so much that I for once watch the whole game in normal speed rather than fast forwarding through it or deleting the recording half way through the game

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Still have not solved outside centre position and now we try hodge. Hope it works as certainly not having a quality outside centre hurting the rebels.

 

[KevinO]

Still have not solved outside centre position and now we try hodge. Hope it works as certainly not having a quality outside centre hurting the rebels.

I think it's both 12 and 13 that's hurting the Rebels. The combos just have not clicked.

Would like to see Sefa given a run at 13, it's the position he made the break through in NRC and club.

 

[Rock Lobster]

The Lobster will be in town and I'm looking forward to getting to this game. I actually give the Rebels half a show here and will be taking some of the juicy odds on offer.

We all know Genia makes a HUGE difference to this side and Wessells has finally seen the light and picked Parling to start plus a specialist 7 starting at 7 will be a big help. And if the Brumbies, who are going like busted's, can stay within range of the Crusaders then I reckon the Rebels with those key changes can give them a shake.

 

[Rebels3]

For the Rebels to have a chance we need some serious luck on our side.

Personally i'd be happy with a losing bonus

 

[Up the Guts]

Sefa and Koro vs Tamanivalu and Mataele, expect Greg Clarke to wheel out "Fijian on Fijian" maybe 8, 9, possibly even 10 times.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ how far in before he reminds us that Tamanivalu is Mataele's uncle?

 

[Killer]

^^^^^^^ how far in before he reminds us that Tamanivalu is Mataele's uncle?

careful criticising Clarkie, he is a protected species around here.

 

[Derpus]

careful criticising Clarkie, he is a protected species around here.

You must be kidding

 

[Ballboy]

Unfortunately all the early season hype has gone and i do not know if Genia can bring it all back , though i hope so , we need to face some facts , front row is crap , Rangi is not up to super level , Ruru the same , back five are great ( including replacements ) but seem to become invisible during the game ,, i did not know much about Meakes but a lot here rapped him , he has been well below super level IMO , Maddox started with great enthusiasm and we need it back ,, why do our wingers not get miles more work to do ,, i really feel we have the talent ( except front row ) to win more games

 

[Slim 293]

You must be kidding

No, just incapable of rational thought.........