Will anyone beat the Crusader in 2011?
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ChargerWA
Mark Loane (55)
Maybe it's just the part of me wishing we see an end to the SA dominance in S14/15. I suspect the SA S15 teams will do better than the national team did in the Tri Nats, but I still feel they are relying on a few too many old players, who maybe past their best no matter how much the fans are bleating its all PDV's fault. That Waratahs back line with Cliffy and TPN coming back, hopefully cat gets back to top form scrummaging in the NH. I love the Force, but I would happily do a squad swap at this point in time.
Plus the Waratahs have a history of being there or therabouts at the right time of year. 3rd or higher 4 out of the last 6 years isn't something to be sneezed at.
Plus the Waratahs have a history of being there or therabouts at the right time of year. 3rd or higher 4 out of the last 6 years isn't something to be sneezed at.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Ja the Stormers is going up all the way next year, they lost only Willem de Waal but they added Jean de Villiers and CJ van der Linde to their tally. Cant wait to see a Stormers team like
Jantjes, Aplon, JdJ, JdV, Habana, Grant, Duvenhage, Vermeulen, Louw, Burger, Bekker, Fondse, CJ vdL, Liebenberg, Blaauw running around. Only 4 uncap players and most of them bar 3 now on tour. They'll be hunger and fresh for action.
ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
On my beloved Crusaders 
I get the feeling Crockett won't be an automatic starter and we will go with the Bash Brothers. No doubt Flynn will break something so an inexperienced hooker will be called upon at some point. We lost Tii Paulo which was a big loss IMO.
Ross is gone and despite his critics, the guy has some serious taken in the loose and open play. But I suspect Jack will get a contract as a bench option behind the two current ABs. There are a couple a very good talents in the Saders region as well.
We didnt secure Thompson. McCaw and Read pick themselves but when McCaw is rested it will be G Whitelock and young Todd in combo. It's q shame we've lost Nasi Manu as he is playing the house down right now. Look out for him tomorrow night in the ITM final. He will be in Highlanders colors next year.
As for the backs we have a couple of issues. Khan Foutalii who played well for us this year is gone. No Mr Versatile Colin Slade, we get berquist as Carters backup. Not a huge amount of confidence there from me. We've lost Jared Payne to the Blues also. But we have Adam Whitelock, Kade Poki and Crotty as reserve backs which are more than adequate at this level. The addition of Dagg is huge as Maitland is not a Super quality fullback yet. SbW and Fruean will need to up their game another level to have any sort of dominance like they've had in the ITM.
I'm not counting any chickens at all. It will be an interesting year for the Saders
I get the feeling Crockett won't be an automatic starter and we will go with the Bash Brothers. No doubt Flynn will break something so an inexperienced hooker will be called upon at some point. We lost Tii Paulo which was a big loss IMO.Ross is gone and despite his critics, the guy has some serious taken in the loose and open play. But I suspect Jack will get a contract as a bench option behind the two current ABs. There are a couple a very good talents in the Saders region as well.
We didnt secure Thompson. McCaw and Read pick themselves but when McCaw is rested it will be G Whitelock and young Todd in combo. It's q shame we've lost Nasi Manu as he is playing the house down right now. Look out for him tomorrow night in the ITM final. He will be in Highlanders colors next year.
As for the backs we have a couple of issues. Khan Foutalii who played well for us this year is gone. No Mr Versatile Colin Slade, we get berquist as Carters backup. Not a huge amount of confidence there from me. We've lost Jared Payne to the Blues also. But we have Adam Whitelock, Kade Poki and Crotty as reserve backs which are more than adequate at this level. The addition of Dagg is huge as Maitland is not a Super quality fullback yet. SbW and Fruean will need to up their game another level to have any sort of dominance like they've had in the ITM.
I'm not counting any chickens at all. It will be an interesting year for the Saders
Reddy!
Bob Davidson (42)
The Reds have the most balanced backline in my opinion.
9. Genia - small, zippy, nuggetty
10. Cooper - Classic Larkham type flyhalf
11. Ioane - powerful, fleet footed winger
12. Fainga'a - the organiser
13. Chambers - big runner with the offload
14. Davies - Speed merchant
15. Hynes - great counter attacker, safe as a house
9. Genia - small, zippy, nuggetty
10. Cooper - Classic Larkham type flyhalf
11. Ioane - powerful, fleet footed winger
12. Fainga'a - the organiser
13. Chambers - big runner with the offload
14. Davies - Speed merchant
15. Hynes - great counter attacker, safe as a house
D
dwats002
Guest
mate have you even seen Fruen play!! Chambers is nothing compared to him and to be quite honest if we are going on recent form and qualities I would have to say the Saders have it over the reds in every position.
D
dwats002
Guest
Ellis has been in sensational form for Canty and Genia not so for da Wobs. Have you seen Ellis in the ITM cup, because trust me you wouldn't recognise him from his previous years form. He clears the ball brilliantly from the ruck and his kicking game is superb. Canty have scored the most tries this year and all of that has started from him. He also organises the fowards in an orgaised fashion and gets it out to slade when opportunities arise. Plus i would also say that Guildford has been poor this year so would actually give Davies the nod.
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Surely you are not comparing one's standard of play in the ITM Cup to another's standard of plat at Test rugby???
Even as a kiwi and staunch AB fan - I'd take Genia over Ellis.
D
dwats002
Guest
Yeah but head to head ATM might just have Ellis ahead as he is in form and Genia is not. If it were a selection of a Super rugby all star team i would have Genia over ellis as well.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Head to head I remember Ellis getting completely outplayed by Genia in round two. It played a big part in the final score I remember.
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