Crusaders v Highlanders

[Carter's Choice]

WHEN:
Sunday 9th August

KICK OFF:
Local - 3.35pm
Sydney - 1.35pm

WHERE:
Christchurch, NZ



VENUE:
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch



MATCH OFFICIALS:
TBC

TEAMS:



15. Will Jordan
14. Sevu Reece
13. Braydon Ennor
12. Jack Goodhue
11. George Bridge
10. Richie Mo’unga
9. Bryn Hall

8. Whetu Douglas
7. Tom Christie
6. Tom Sanders
5. Quentin Strange
4. Samuel Whitelock
3. Michael Alaalatoa
2. Codie Taylor (captain)
1. Joe Moody

Reserves:
16. Andrew Makalio
17. George Bower
18. Oliver Jager
19. Luke Romano
20. Sion Havili
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Brett Cameron
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku.



15. Mitch Hunt
14. Josh McKay
13. Michael Collins
12. Sio Tomkinson
11. Jona Nareki
10. Josh Ioane
9. Aaron Smith (cc)

8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
7. Dillon Hunt
6. Shannon Frizell
5. Jack Whetton
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
3. Jeff Thwaites
2. Ash Dixon (cc)
1. Ayden Johnstone.

Reserves:

16. Liam Coltman
17.Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Siate Tokolahi
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Ngatugnane Punivai
23. Jesse Parete

[Carter's Choice]

Huge game in the context of the SRA season. The Crusaders win this match and they claim the title. No need for bonus points, no need for lots of tries. All they need is a win.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Huge game in the context of the SRA season. The Crusaders win this match and they claim the title. No need for bonus points, no need for lots of tries. All they need is a win.

They will get it, too. This Landers team can't live with the level of quality the Saders have. I 'm picking a margin of at least 20 points.

[Carter's Choice]

Huge game in the context of the SRA season. The Crusaders win this match and they claim the title. No need for bonus points, no need for lots of tries. All they need is a win.

They will get it, too. This Landers team can't live with the level of quality the Saders have. I 'm picking a margin of at least 20 points.

I've learned to never write off the Highlanders. They have quality players right through their squad. I think the Crusaders will be favourites with the bookies, but if they are slightly off their game then the Highlanders are definitely capable of an upset.

[Ymx]

.

[Ymx]

This could be the tournament decider,.

Though, I'm sure the faux Scots will be dying to stop the Saders.

[FujiKiwi]

I expect to see some plucky resistance by the Highlanders before their insignificant little rebellion is brushed aside by the Evil Empire.

[Ymx]

If anyone wants a starter for the other match thread, can quote and copy the spoilered info.

Spoiler

Show

WHEN:
Sat 8th Aug

KICK OFF:
Local - 7.05pm

WHERE:
Wellington, NZ



VENUE:
AMI Stadium, Wellington



MATCH OFFICIALS:
TBC

TEAMS:



TBC



TBC

[Ymx]

I expect to see some plucky resistance by the Highlanders before their insignificant little rebellion is brushed aside by the Evil Empire.

Hopefully its along the lines of what happened to William Wallace.

I should stop, as I'm generally bad luck with this type of talk.

Not quite Hey Theo, but not far off.

[hurinui]

Everyone's been talking about Chiefs woes lately however one significant milestone that's flown under the radar was the Blues loss meant Highlanders had lost more games in 2020 than Chiefs.

With 2020 being the last year of Mauger's contract, it will be interesting to see whether they renew it.

[hurinui]

Okay.. there seems to be two Highlanders vs Crusaders match threads..

[Ymx]

Ahem. Bump.

[FujiKiwi]

As hurinui has pointed out, we have dueling threads here.

Is a merge in order?

[Ymx]

As hurinui has pointed out, we have dueling threads here.

Is a merge in order?

They’ve both only just started, though it’s usually first in first served. Pretty sure this was still on the front page when AC started his one.

Think many have again vanished back to PR.

[FujiKiwi]

As hurinui has pointed out, we have dueling threads here.

Is a merge in order?

They’ve both only just started, though it’s usually first in first served. Pretty sure this was still on the front page when AC started his one.

Think many have again vanished back to PR.

I just checked, and I don't mean to be pedantic, but it looks like AC started his one first?

[Ymx]

Fair enough, my bad, will dot this one.

[Carter's Choice]

Hey Ymx, let's run this thread and I'll dot my one. I started this because PR was locked but now that it's back I'm more likely to post mainly on there and just visit here a bit. If you're happy, I;ll do my one now?

[Hong Kong]

Well done, you muppets! Both of you dotted your own threads

[Sandstorm]

Well done, you muppets! Both of you dotted your own threads

Leave it like that.

[Ymx]

Well done, you muppets! Both of you dotted your own threads

Ha ha .

Undotted now.

TBF I dotted mine 5 hours before AC did his, and then he found my dotted one to say he was going to head back to PR.

[FujiKiwi]

Insights into Crusaders' availability from Stuff:

The Crusaders, forced to start rookie Fetuli Paea at centre the past two games, could get Braydon Ennor (foot) back for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Highlanders in Christchurch.

Ennor trained on Tuesday and Wednesday, as did tighthead prop Michael Alaalatoa, whose knee injury suffered against the Chiefs last weekend wasn’t near as serious as it appeared.

‘’Fingers crossed...but he’s looking pretty good at the moment,’’ Jones said.

As for All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody, who missed the Chiefs match after his father, Tony, died last week, he’s back at Rugby Park and the ball is in his court.

“We're excited about having Joe back in, getting around him, looking after him, and hopefully he will feel comfortable as the week goes on, and he will make his own decisions around whether he feels like he is in the right place to play a game for us.’’

Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rug ... r-children

[FujiKiwi]

If anyone wants a starter for the other match thread, can quote and copy the spoilered info.

Spoiler

Show

WHEN:
Sat 8th Aug

KICK OFF:
Local - 7.05pm

WHERE:
Wellington, NZ



VENUE:
AMI Stadium, Wellington



MATCH OFFICIALS:
TBC

TEAMS:



TBC



TBC

Sorry I missed this, and made a new thread for the other game from scratch.

[Guy Smiley]

Well done, you muppets! Both of you dotted your own threads

Leave it like that.

[Ymx]

have the teams been named? send a link if so, thanks.

[ASMO]

Merged the threads

[Ymx]

Cheers.

Shambles sorted hopefully

[FujiKiwi]

Teams announced tomorrow.

[Ymx]

Teams announced tomorrow.

Ironically there’s not much I can do about updating the OP now.

[FujiKiwi]

Teams announced tomorrow.

Ironically there’s not much I can do about updating the OP now.

You and AC are the Lennon and McCartney of composing match threads.

[Carter's Choice]

Teams announced tomorrow.

Ironically there’s not much I can do about updating the OP now.

I'll make sure I update the OP for you mate

[Ymx]

Teams announced tomorrow.

Ironically there’s not much I can do about updating the OP now.

I'll make sure I update the OP for you mate

Cheers mate.

[Ymx]

Teams announced tomorrow.

Ironically there’s not much I can do about updating the OP now.

You and AC are the Lennon and McCartney of composing match threads.

Who’s the yoko ?

[FujiKiwi]

Highlanders named:

Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Ngatungane Punivai, 23-Teariki Ben-Nicholas

Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... aders.html

[JPNZ]

Crusaders named:

15. Will Jordan
14. Sevu Reece
13. Braydon Ennor
12. Jack Goodhue
11. George Bridge
10. Richie Mo’unga
9. Bryn Hall

8. Whetu Douglas
7. Tom Christie
6. Tom Sanders
5. Quentin Strange
4. Samuel Whitelock
3. Michael Alaalatoa
2. Codie Taylor (captain)
1. Joe Moody

Reserves:
16. Andrew Makalio
17. George Bower
18. Oliver Jager
19. Luke Romano
20. Sion Havili
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Brett Cameron
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Thats about as strong as the Crusaders could have named. Great to see Vice Captain Whetu Douglas back along with Joe Moody and Braydon Ennor.

I expect everything to be wrapped up this weekend.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

My Christ, what a team.

Saders 42 Landers 17.

Here, etc.

[Gumboot]

Yep, it could get messy for the Highlanders. Surprised to see Alaalatoa starting after what looked like a significant injury. Good to see Ennor back. I haven't been overly impressed with Fetuli Paea tbh. I guess he's been "solid" and straightened the attack, but I kinda prefer centres who pass the ball occasionally...I think he only passed it once against the Chiefs.

[FujiKiwi]

Agreed that Ennor is much better, and a fairly journeyman-looking Highlanders midfield is likely to be shown up, providing Goodhue finds just a bit of form.

[Ymx]

Yep, it could get messy for the Highlanders. Surprised to see Alaalatoa starting after what looked like a significant injury. Good to see Ennor back. I haven't been overly impressed with Fetuli Paea tbh. I guess he's been "solid" and straightened the attack, but I kinda prefer centres who pass the ball occasionally...I think he only passed it once against the Chiefs.

It was suggested somewhere that all were amazed how he seemed to recover for mid week training.

[Ymx]

Agreed that Ennor is much better, and a fairly journeyman-looking Highlanders midfield is likely to be shown up, providing Goodhue finds just a bit of form.

For me, Goodhue at present is killing the move. He’s backing himself but then not breaking through.

But he’s not breaking the tackles as he used to.

[FujiKiwi]

Agreed that Ennor is much better, and a fairly journeyman-looking Highlanders midfield is likely to be shown up, providing Goodhue finds just a bit of form.

For me, Goodhue at present is killing the move. He’s backing himself but then not breaking through.

But he’s not breaking the tackles as he used to.

The solution to Jack Goodhue's form slump is staring us all in the face. He needs a change of scenery to freshen up, and a move north to play alongside his brother at the Blues is the obvious fix.