Preview: Reds v Crusaders

The Reds players were rightly thrilled with when the full-time whistle blew last week and they had secured only their second win of the season, a 30-17 victory over the Cheetahs. Reality would have no doubt hit soon after as the challenge set before them, to secure their first back to back victory since round 17 of 2014, was looming large.

The Crusaders have been steamrolling their opponents having bounced back from an opening round loss to record seven wins in a row. This mighty Crusader franchise hasn’t done that since 2008 which says much about the quality of this year’s team. Coming off the bye, and despite the absence of Nemani Nadolo who is currently serving a four week suspension, the Crusaders are flying high and matching the trail blazing Chiefs at the front of the pack.

Any relief the Reds may have had in Nadolo’s absence has been countered but the injury to their own blockbusting Fijian, in Samu Kerevi. Kerevi has been in incomparable form of late and you can guarantee the Crusaders are breathing a sigh of relief because he’s out.

If injury has cursed them, the Reds don’t exactly have history on their side either. The Crusaders have not lost to the Reds at home in their last eight meetings. In fact the last time the Reds won v the Cru on the road, their Executive General Manager for the Reds, Dan Herbert, was playing outside centre; QRU Board Member Mark Connors was packing in at lock, whilst current C0-Interim Head Coach, Nick Stiles, still hadn’t featured in Super Rugby (with his debut to come the following week against the Stormers). So….it’s been a while.

[one_half last=”no”]

Crusaders

The Crusaders had a bye last week but the week before made a real competition statement with their 40-14 annihilation of the Brumbies, up until then seemingly Australia’s best hope in this year’s competition.

The Crusaders have missed an average of only 14.1 tackles per game so far this season, which is the best in the competition. So, yeah, their defense is ok. They don’t mind hitting the park running either, having scored 10 tries in the first quarter of the games so far this year which is, once again, the best in the competition.

Despite all this achieving stuff, coach Todd Blackadder has still managed to make five changes to his starting team heading into the Reds clash. Nadolo’s spot is taken by Johnny McNicholl whilst Mitchell Drummond takes over from Andy Ellis at scrumhalf.

In the pack big Mike Alaalatoa gets a shot at tight head prop and is joined in the starting front row by Wyatt Crockett as they take the spots of Owen Franks and Joe Moody. At lock, Sam Whitelock replaces Luke Romano in another All Black for All Black swap which comes across as just showing off now.

[/one_half]

[one_half last=”yes”]

Queensland Reds

No truth to the rumours that the Reds coaches were prancing through the Ballymore HQ in nun’s outfits singing “How do you solve a problem like Kerevi?” this week, but they might as well have. We talked up Samu on our podcast this week as being critical to any decent Reds performance over the last couple of years. That same podcast we mooted many options to replace him, but none were the one the Reds have come up with – giving 19 year old, red-headed prodigy, Campbell Magnay the gig.

Magnay slips straight into the Reds backline outside the experienced, and in-form, Ant Faingaa with Chris Feauai-Sautia also returning to the side to reclaim his wing spot and push Junior Laloifi to the bench. Magnay made hid debut for the Reds last year before even play Premier Grade club rugby and comes off a very strong National Under 20s tournament. His physicality will be an important factor for the Reds as they look to keep their attacking mindset going.

Scrumhalf Nick Frisby, who is doing his damnedest to stake his claim for a Wallaby berth, will run out for his 50th state cap. Whilst many of these have been coming off the bench (or playing flyhalf) behind or besides Will Genia, the man they call Pickle is thriving with the 9 on his back.[/one_half]

Key Match Ups

[one_third last=”no”]Karmichael Hunt Vs Israel Dagg

Dagg has looked sublime since his return to the starting side and perhaps even looks sharper than he has been previously. Hunt’s form seems to have plateaued somewhat since his early season surge. This match is quite feasibly the biggest challenge he’s faced yet in rugby. [/one_third]

[one_third last=”no”]Holmes / Slipper Vs Alaalatoa / Crockett

It’s the one area where the Reds may able to assert some form of dominance. The Reds scrum is now officially (well, statistically) the best in the competition. The Crusaders are not too far behind however. The inexperienced Alaalatoa will find it tough against a back to his best Slipper, whilst the human hinge Crocket can expect all sorts of trouble from Holmes. [/one_third]

[one_third last=”yes”]Jake McIntyre Vs Richie Mo’unga

Mo’unga has stepped into the large boots of Dan Carter (and others) relatively seamlessly for the Cru, and indeed has been brilliant at times. McIntyre still seems to be finding his feet and will have the added challenge of getting his backline going forward without the competition’s #1 ball carrier. Both alumni of the 2014 Junior World Champs, the one on one match up will be an interesting measuring point as to their development since. [/one_third]

Fearless Prediction

There’s not much to suggest that the Reds will get close to their 2011 Grand Final opponents and, in fact, if they replicate their first half from last week then the match could be over at half time. It would take an epic performance from the Reds to pull off the upset win. Crusaders by 25.

The Teams

[one_half last=”no”]Crusaders

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Codie Taylor
3. Mike Alaalatoa
4. Scott Barrett
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Jone Macilai
12. David Havili
13. Kieron Fonotia
14. Johnny McNicholl
15. Israel Dagg
16. Ben Funnell
17. Joe Moody
18. Owen Franks
19. Luke Romano
20. Tim Boys
21. Andy Ellis
22. Ryan Crotty
23. Marty McKenzie[/one_half]

[one_half last=”yes”]Queensland Reds

1. James Slipper (c)
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Ben Matwijow
5. Rob Simmons
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Liam Gill
8. Curtis Browning
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Anthony Fainga’a
13. Campbell Magnay
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Karmichael Hunt
16. Saia Fainga’a
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Sam Talakai
19. Cadeyrn Neville
20. Michael Gunn
21. James Tuttle
22. Sam Greene
23. Junior Laloifi.[/one_half]

The Details

Date: Friday, 6 May

Time: 7:35pm (local), 5:35pm (AEST)

Venue: AMI Stadium (Addington), Christchurch

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

AR: Jamie Nutbrown, Kane McBride

TMO: Chris Wratt

Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy, maximum 18 degrees

Statistics courtesy of Opta Sports