Surprise, surprise – the Reds big win over the Sunwolves a couple of rounds ago meant absolutely nothing the following week when they hosted the Sharks. Only an idiot (me) would think otherwise. The Reds (and their fans) were bought back to earth big time with a resounding Sharks defeat, placing the South Africans now atop their conference ladder. Unfortunately it now means that the Reds now have to travel away from the cracked ‘fortress’ that is Suncorp Stadium and face the Crusaders, who sit atop their conference and have had little difficulty accounting for this Queensland team over recent years.
The Reds have based so much of their ‘rebuild’ on the Crusaders model, none least than their Head Coach. But are they any chance of student surpassing the master Friday night in Christchurch? Let’s take a look to find out.
Form:
There is nothing starker here than the Opta Stats compiled for this game.
- The Crusaders have won 18 of their last 21 Super Rugby matches against the Reds, including each of their last seven in a row.
- The Crusaders are unbeaten in their last 33 home games (winning 32 with one draw), a run that began at the beginning of 2017.
- The Reds will be searching for their first Super Rugby win in New Zealand since April 2013 (v the Chiefs) and have lost 14 consecutive games by an average margin of 19 points since.
So….it’s not looking good…
Key Match Ups:
Reds v the 2nd Half: So far this season, across their five games, the Reds have lead at half time in all but one game (v the Lions in Round 2, when they trailed by four points). And yet they have only gone on to win a single game – the shellacking of the Sunwolves. In fact, again according to Opta, the Reds have scored more tries in the first half of games this season than any other team. Which is meaningless if you are sitting at 1 and 4. So clearly this unit needs to up their second half performance. Whether it be the coach talk at half time; the impact of the bench; the team’s fitness; their mental toughness; their inability to restart a game, whatever, it needs immediate attention.
Dallas McLeod, Leicester Faingaanuku, Ere Enari, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace v us. This is the next batch of Crusader rookies. McLeod is making his debut, Enarie played one game a few years ago and hasn’t played since, Faingaanuku played last year while Christie and Grace have made their first Super Rugby appearances this year. It’s these lads that will set the standard for the Cruaders. Sure there is class across the park, but it’s how they bring in their youngsters that sets them apart. Clearly Harry Wilson has been a standout for the Reds this year, but the support structure around these stars is what Reds rugby really craves.
Team News
Reds:
It’s all in the halves this week with James O’Connor ruled out with an ankle injury. It sees Isaac Lucas get another shot at the 10 jersey for the first time since Round 1 v the Brumbies. Instead of partnering with the inform Tate McDermott, as he did that game, McDermott has being curiously benched with Scott Maloula getting a rare starting cap. In the pack, the lock shuffle continues with Izack Rodda the man out this round, with Harry Hockings and Lukhan Salakai-Loto pairing up.
Crusdaers:
The Cru welcome back their skipper in All Black Scott Barrett who starts in at lock with Luke Romano on the bench. There’s some All Black shuffling outwide with George Bridge moved to fullback, enabling Faingaanuku a start on the flank, and Jack Goodhue moves to outcentre with McLeod earning a debut. Enarie is the third relatively experienced backline promotion, taking the starting nine jersey from Mitch Drummond.
Prediction:
Let’s not dick around here. Crusaders by 24.
TEAMS
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Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Codie Taylor
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Scott Barrett ©
5 Mitchell Dunshea
6 Cullen Grace
7 Tom Christie
8 Tom Sanders
9 Ere Enari
10 Richie Mo’unga
11 Leicester Faingaanuku
12 Dallas McLeod
13 Jack Goodhue
14 Sevu Reece
15 George Bridge
Replacements
16 Brodie McAlister
17 George Blower
18 Oliver Jager
19 Luke Romano
20 Sione Havili
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Brett Cameron
23 Manasa Mataele
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Reds
1 JP Smith
2 Alex Mafi
3 Taniela Tupou
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Harry Hockings
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Liam Wright ©
8 Harry Wilson
9 Scott Malolua
10 Isaac Lucas
11 Henry Speight
12 Hamish Stewart
13 Hunter Paisami
14 Chris Feauai-Sautia
15 Jock Campbell
Replacements
16 Ed Craig
17 Dane Zander
18 Josh Nasser
19 Angus Blythe
20 Fraser McReight
21 Tate McDermott
22 Bryce Hegarty
23 Filipo Daugunu
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MATCH DEETS
Date: Friday 6 March 2020
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off: 7.05pm local time / 4:05pm Brisbane time
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
AR1: Mike Fraser
AR2: Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Shane McDermott
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