World Series Rugby: Rd 4 Western Force v Crusaders Friday 22 June 06:30PM WST

[ForceFan]

10 players from the Crusaders' squad have been selected in the All Blacks squad for the June Tests.

The rest of the squad as follows:

Michael Ala'alatoa Prop *
Oliver Jager Prop
Donald Brighouse Prop *
Wyatt Crockett Loosehead prop *
Ben Funnell Hooker
Andrew Makalio Hooker *
Luke Romano Lock
Quinten Strange Lock *
Mitchell Dunshea Lock/ Loose Forward *
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis Loose Forward *
Ethan Blackadder Loose Forward *
Billy Harmon Loose forward
Tom Sanders Loose forward
Pete Samu Loose Forward (Wallabies - Yes)
Matt Todd Loose forward
Jack Stratton Halfback
Mitchell Drummond Halfback*
Bryn Hall Halfback *
Mike Delany First five-eighth *
David Havili Fullback/Second five-eighth
Seta Tamanivalu Centre *
Tim Bateman Midfield back
George Bridge Outside back *
Braydon Ennor Wing/Midfield back
Jone Macilai Wing
Manasa Mataele Wing *
Israel Dagg Fullback *
Mitchell Hunt Fullback / First Five-Eighth *
Will Jordan Fullback

Those marked in Red are in the XXIII to play against the Chiefs in the last match before the June Test break.
Great chance to give the broader squad some game time

The Crusaders have a big Kiwi following in Perth.
I can't see the Crusaders letting them down by not fielding their best team for the game against the Force.

Others obviously agree as, rumour has it, this game is already close to a sell-out.

 

[chibimatty]

I just hope that those Perth-Wees are a bit more respectful of the home team on this occasion

 

[ForceFan]

Western Force recruit Jeremy Thrush hails news colours to face old foes
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Tuesday, 12 June 2018

New Western Force signing, former All Black second-rower Jeremy Thrush, is counting the days to a reunion with some familiar faces in his World Series Rugby debut.
But there's unlikely to be much love lost when he fronts old Super Rugby rivals Crusaders in the trans-Tasman clash on June 22 at nib Stadium.
Thrush went face-to face with the reigning Super champions and this year's ladder leaders plenty of times in his seven seasons and 110 appearances with the Hurricanes.

Read more…..

https://thewest.com.au/sport/wester...s-news-colours-to-face-old-foes-ng-b88863094z

 

[ForceFan]

BNZ Crusaders team to play the Western Force:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Andrew Makalio
3. Michael Ala'alatoa (VC)
4. Quinten Strange
5. Mitchell Dunshea
6. Ethan Blackadder
7. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
8. Whetu Douglas
9. Mitchell Drummond (C)
10. Mitchell Hunt
11. George Bridge
12. Rameka Poihipi
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Manasa Mataele
15. Israel Dagg (VC)

RESERVES
16. Brodie McAlister*
17. Donald Brighouse
18. Chris King
19. Hamish Dalzell
20. Hugh Renton*
21. Bryn Hall
22. Mike Delany
23. Sam Beard
24. Tima Faingaanuku
25. Caleb Makene

* denotes BNZ Crusaders debut

 

[Forcefield]

Feel like we are in for a boning.

 

[ForceFan]

WSR WF team against Crusaders ex West Australian:

1. Harry Lloyd
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Chris Heiberg
4. Fergus Lee-Warner
5. Jeremy Thrush *
6. Henry Stowers *
7. Chris Alcock
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ian Prior (c)
10. Andrew Deegan
11. Rod Davies
12. AJ Alatimu
13. Brad Lacey
14. Masivesi Dakuwaga *
15. Peter Grant
RESERVES
16. Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Cameron Orr *
18. Tom Sheminant
19. Leon Power
20. Johan Bardoul
21. Tevin Ferris
22. Harrison Orr
23. Isaak Fines-Leieiwasa
24. Henry Taefu
25. Clay Uyen

* First game with WF.

Some new faces plus good strength off the bench.
Should be a top game of rugby.

 

[zer0]

16. Brodie McAlister

Has science gone too far?

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Well pleased I have a Friday night game of rugby to watch - thanks twiggy.

I hope the Force can put up a decent show as I thought the Force were poor against a second string rebels outfit.

Early days though and hopefully they learned a bit from that loss to the rebels as good reality check.

 

[Braveheart81]

Well pleased I have a Friday night game of rugby to watch

Highlanders vs French Barbarians on tonight as well.

 

[wamberal]

Highlanders vs French Barbarians on tonight as well.

There is also a game from the Brisbane Club competition a bit earlier. And "The World Rugby Show". Whatever that is. Get your recordings sorted and there is a lot of rugby to watch.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Somewhat surprisingly (to me anyway) it's live here in NZ, too, pretty much straight after Clan v French Barbarians. Not sure if WSR would be too pleased with Sky NZ billing it as "Western Force Invitationals v Crusaders" though.

 

[lou75]

Glad to have an Aussie team to watch tonight - go the Force

 

[Dan54]

There is also a game from the Brisbane Club competition a bit earlier. And "The World Rugby Show". Whatever that is. Get your recordings sorted and there is a lot of rugby to watch.

Yep love to Wamb but f***en optus have been down all day in my area!

 

[Dismal Pillock]

View attachment 10041
Has science gone too far?

​

 

[lou75]

I hear the crusaders have got horses for their big entrance into NIB - should be a good entrance

 

[Up the Guts]

So good to have Tony Lewis in commentary.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Force better than last Rebels game (wet weather considerations included/considered for that comment for that game) but error rate still too high for professional rugby team. Need to tighten up on that.....

 

[D-Box]

14259 announced as the crowd

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Rugbynutter39]

My view is players like Peter Grant were on their way out with the Force last year.....and he ain't getting any better.....as shown with how he is playing this game unsighted!

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Okay for the Force to be good watchable side they need to reduce their error rate and ability to retain possession. For me key goal like to see them improve on for further WSR and NRCE games from here.