The Chiefs are a real bogey team for the Saders. Great defensive game by them but shame it had to be officiated by one of the worst refs in super rugby.
How Boshier's jersey grab(s) on Jordan at 74 minutes avoided a yellow card beggars belief. But for that blatant foul the Saders had a royal chance to level the score and play out the last 6 minutes against 14 men. O'keefe had been continually letting him away with not supporting his body weight so no surprises there.
1.Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Hoskins Sotutu; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Mark Telea, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Joe Marchant, 14. Jordan Hyland, 15. Matt Duffie.
16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Tom Robinson, 20. Tony Lamborn; 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Emoni Narawa.
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Tom Sanders, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Oliver Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Ala'alatoa, Luke Romano, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Will Jordan.
Blues named
No room for Akira - given how well Gibson performed starting at 7 in round 2 and how well Lamborn went in round 1 I can't blame them.
Blues forwards look useful - as always with the Blues it is the halves where it will be won/lost.
Akira didn't look like he was anywhere near match fit last week, he was in full jog mode! Wish he would take a lesson off Tom Robinson on attitude!
The backlash will be SEVERE.
It will surely go down in the annals of rugby history as The Valentine's Day Massacre.
Bongi Mbonambi out for the season.
What'd he do, eat his roids instead of inject them?
CHIEFS (15-1): , Adam Thomson