Crusaders vs Blues: MATCH THREAD; Sat 11th July

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Saturday 11th July

KICK OFF:
Auckland - 7.05pm
Sydney – 5.05pm

WHERE:
Christchurch, NZ



VENUE:
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch



MATCH OFFICIALS:
TBC

TEAMS:



Crusaders Named

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

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

Reserves:

16. Andrew Makalio
17. George Bower
18. Oliver Jager
19. Quinten Strange
20. Sione Havili
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Fetuli Paea
23. Will Jordan



15. Beauden Barrett
14. Mark Tele'a
13. Rieko Ioane
12. Harry Plummer
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Otere Black
9. Finlay Christie

8. Hoskins Sotutu
7. Dalton Papalii
6. Akira Ioane
5. Josh Goodhue
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
2. James Parsons
1. Alex Hodgman.

Reserves:

16. Kurt Eklund
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe
18. Sione Mafileo
19. Aaron Carroll
20. Blake Gibson
21. Jonathan Ruru
22. TJ Faiane
23. Matt Duffie

[Ymx]

Match of the week, and possibly match of the entire tournament. Two undefeated teams that are both in great form. I am very excited!

[Jim Lahey]

Saders by 20.
Too good atm.

[FujiKiwi]

Thanks for setting up the match thread, YMX. Much appreciated. So looking forward to this one. The Crusaders clear favorites, but never say never.

[Ymx]

Thanks for setting up the match thread, YMX. Much appreciated. So looking forward to this one. The Crusaders clear favorites, but never say never.

I asked AC on the other forum to set up a match thread and I just copied it. Even copied his follow up post. Ha ha.

Although, going forward I'm going to set up a web page with some code, so we can just select the home team/away team/and date, and it will auto generate the OP content. Will share it once I've got it working.

[Kiwias]

Good man, Ymx. This is a seriously mouth-watering clash, with the added spice of DC's more than likely debut for the Blues against his old team.

EDITED

[FujiKiwi]

Good man, Ymx. This is a seriously mouth-watering clash, with the added spice of CD's more than likely debut for the Blues against his old team.

DC?

Or do we have another ex- Crusader secret weapon up our sleeve?

[Auckman]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

[FujiKiwi]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

No. Otere Black, given cover by Hoskins Sotutu, will blow up the Death Star.

All the while, Princess Akira will look on tearfully from a safe distance.

[Kiwias]

Good man, Ymx. This is a seriously mouth-watering clash, with the added spice of CD's more than likely debut for the Blues against his old team.

DC?

Or do we have another ex- Crusader secret weapon up our sleeve?

Pedant

[FujiKiwi]

Good man, Ymx. This is a seriously mouth-watering clash, with the added spice of CD's more than likely debut for the Blues against his old team.

DC?

Or do we have another ex- Crusader secret weapon up our sleeve?

Pedant

Sorry, that was petty.

How are things with you, Kiwias? All good?

[Kiwias]

DC?

Or do we have another ex- Crusader secret weapon up our sleeve?

Pedant

Sorry, that was petty.

How are things with you, Kiwias? All good?

No problems. Things are good here, still sfa cases of covid-19 in this little backward town and business going well. What about you?

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

I think so too.

I suspect the structured, clinical Saders will do the Blues.

[ManhoodObesity]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

The Blues rugby empire will demolish the alleged “good guys”

[FujiKiwi]

No problems. Things are good here, still sfa cases of covid-19 in this little backward town and business going well. What about you?

Yeah. I'm good. here in Osaka, you never know what to believe. How much covid is out there? Some mates are acting like everything is normal. Going to the gym, going out to bars and clubs. Maybe they're nuts. Maybe they're right that there's nothing to fear. I and my family are playing it pretty safe.

[Kiwias]

No problems. Things are good here, still sfa cases of covid-19 in this little backward town and business going well. What about you?

Yeah. I'm good. here in Osaka, you never know what to believe. How much covid is out there? Some mates are acting like everything is normal. Going to the gym, going out to bars and clubs. Maybe they're nuts. Maybe they're right that there's nothing to fear. I and my family are playing it pretty safe.

Tottori just reported its 4th case, a staff member at a kindergarten where my NPO installed and looks after grass. The bloke went to Tokyo for a weekend, obviously had a good time (nod, nod, wink, wink) and came back, went to work and a local onsen, then drove to a seminar in Hiroshima, picking up someone in Matsue along the way. He is now in isolation ward at a local hospital as they frantically try to track down the many people he had contact with over those few days.

We are taking it very carefully.

Look after yourselves. Maybe you might want to pop up here once things settle and we get into our new rugby season from October.

[FujiKiwi]

A funny, but scary story, Kiwias. Yep, we’ll get up/down/across your way one day and maybe meet up for some orange juice. As for this week, you and I are sworn enemies.

よろしくお願いします。

[ManhoodObesity]

Good to hear that you blokes are staying safe

[ASMO]

Thanks for setting up the match thread, YMX. Much appreciated. So looking forward to this one. The Crusaders clear favorites, but never say never.

I asked AC on the other forum to set up a match thread and I just copied it. Even copied his follow up post. Ha ha.

Although, going forward I'm going to set up a web page with some code, so we can just select the home team/away team/and date, and it will auto generate the OP content. Will share it once I've got it working.

I am gonna setup WordPress so you will be able to do it there and link from here if you like

[Ymx]

Match thread generator v1.0

I have just done an html javascript version.

http://robot-150.getforge.io/

Fairly untested, so you should always preview before creating topic. Note, I'm not a front-end techy.

very basic

Choose
# home team
# away team
# time.

I've probably ballsed up some of the team/location/venue images, but can always correct it later.

Then either copy the posting text it generates and use it, or the better option is to click Generate OP (if you're logged in to NPR), and it posts the text and subject to the NPR new topic page auto populating it, so you can preview it, and then post it if happy.

[JPNZ]

Really looking forward to this clash. Also to note the weather during this week looks friendly with only a few mm of rain forecast but a fine weekend so we should see some decent running rugby.

[Guy Smiley]

Hey... good on ya for going to the effort of making a template but,

Fuck off with the formulaic crap, sorry. A tidy match thread is one thing but individual takes on layout and quirky humour / references are worth more than looking at this week’s template. I want originality thanks...

and the protocol always was match threads started by home team supporters. No biggie but that would be the polite thing to do.

[stemoc]

anyone knows when mataele was returning, the impact off the bench (paea) was not good last week, he butchered a try which manasa or even george would have scored.

[Caley_Red]

Thanks for setting up the match thread, YMX. Much appreciated. So looking forward to this one. The Crusaders clear favorites, but never say never.

I asked AC on the other forum to set up a match thread and I just copied it. Even copied his follow up post. Ha ha.

Although, going forward I'm going to set up a web page with some code, so we can just select the home team/away team/and date, and it will auto generate the OP content. Will share it once I've got it working.

That would be awesome.

[Auckman]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

I think so too.

I suspect the structured, clinical Saders will do the Blues.

Jdog is this you? ( just trying to ID people from the old mothership )

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

We'll end up like the Highlanders. Daring to rebel against the Empire and end up in the usual crushing defeat.

I think so too.

I suspect the structured, clinical Saders will do the Blues.

Jdog is this you? ( just trying to ID people from the old mothership )

Sure is, Auckman.

[FujiKiwi]

Where do the Blues have the edge? Player for player, the Crusaders have superiority or parity. Maybe the Blues loosies bring more dynamism.

The Sadists back three are dynamite. The Blues are no slouches there—second best in the competition—but still.....

Especially with Beauden playing the steady, non-flashy role he has been. Might be time for him to bring out the razzle-dazzle.

[Carter's Choice]

Where do the Blues have the edge? Player for player, the Crusaders have superiority or parity. Maybe the Blues loosies bring more dynamism.

The Sadists back three are dynamite. The Blues are no slouches there—second best in the competition—but still.....

Especially with Beauden playing the steady, non-flashy role he has been. Might be time for him to bring out the razzle-dazzle.

8. Hoskins Sotutu/7. Dalton Papali'/6. Akira Ioane

or

8. Whetukamokamo Douglas/7. Tom Christie/6. Tom Sanders

Which backrow would you choose if you had the option?

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Where do the Blues have the edge? Player for player, the Crusaders have superiority or parity. Maybe the Blues loosies bring more dynamism.

The Sadists back three are dynamite. The Blues are no slouches there—second best in the competition—but still.....

Especially with Beauden playing the steady, non-flashy role he has been. Might be time for him to bring out the razzle-dazzle.

That's why I couldn't see the Landers besting the Saders in Dunnos. They were outpointed right across the park, except for perhaps the loose forwards where the home side was particularly impressive.

That could be where the Blues have the advantage this weekend, but let's face it the Saders loosies aren't exactly slouches and the Blues scrum will probably be in reverse.

It's hard to see where else the Blues could have an edge. The Saders have the better back, better inside back combination, a better midfield and a talented back three that should be able to match the Blues three-quarters.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Where do the Blues have the edge? Player for player, the Crusaders have superiority or parity. Maybe the Blues loosies bring more dynamism.

The Sadists back three are dynamite. The Blues are no slouches there—second best in the competition—but still.....

Especially with Beauden playing the steady, non-flashy role he has been. Might be time for him to bring out the razzle-dazzle.

8. Hoskins Sotutu/7. Dalton Papali'/6. Akira Ioane

or

8. Whetukamokamo Douglas/7. Tom Christie/6. Tom Sanders

Which backrow would you choose if you had the option?

Depends. What kind of attitude can we expect from Ioane this weekend?

If he's in cruise mode then Sotutu and Papali'i will be busy picking up the slack.

You can bet your boots that all three of Douglas, Christie and Sanders will be donating their left nuts to the cause. It is the Saders way.

[FujiKiwi]

Agree with what AC/DC seems to be implying here. We have a pretty clear advantage in the loosies. Hope we can make something of it.

[stemoc]

lossies are only as good as their pack, crusaders have the better tight 5 so even though the blues have the better 7 and 8 (Akira is a fat useless pile of shit) they will get pushed back by the stronger crusaders pack in the scrums... scrum dominance, crusaders, lineout dominance crusaders because they got 2 really good locks and a very decent bencher (romano) and the better hooker of the 2 teams..... Blues only got them beat in running rugby when it comes to forwards...crusaders not as good without Read and Todd there.. Whetu no longer the number 8 he was back in 2018-19.. backline...

9 -crusaders
10- blues
11 - crusaders
12 -crusaders
13-EQUAL
14 -Equal
15. Crusaders.

[Ymx]

Hey... good on ya for going to the effort of making a template but,

Fuck off with the formulaic crap, sorry. A tidy match thread is one thing but individual takes on layout and quirky humour / references are worth more than looking at this week’s template. I want originality thanks...

and the protocol always was match threads started by home team supporters. No biggie but that would be the polite thing to do.

It’s a shared page so that home team supporters can build their own threads. And not just always have to rely the usual individuals. How many times has AC had to create OPs when not home team. And we’ve had many Piri Weepu threads.

It generates a basic framework of info, and that can obviously easily be further tailored.

But fine no ones compelled to use it. Just a convenience tool so we can get the match conversation started earlier.

[Ymx]

Agree with what AC/DC seems to be implying here. We have a pretty clear advantage in the loosies. Hope we can make something of it.

I’m of mixed feelings. I’m really excited to see Sotutu continue with his big performances. And would love to see him in black (fuk u iddy)

But not too good please against the Crusaders.

[FujiKiwi]

Agree with what AC/DC seems to be implying here. We have a pretty clear advantage in the loosies. Hope we can make something of it.

I’m of mixed feelings. I’m really excited to see Sotutu continue with his big performances. And would love to see him in black (fuk u iddy)

But not too good please against the Crusaders.

Who's "iddy"? Ardie? Sorry, I don't get that one.

The AB loose forward make up for the rumored Bledisloe in October will be interesting.

[Ymx]

Agree with what AC/DC seems to be implying here. We have a pretty clear advantage in the loosies. Hope we can make something of it.

I’m of mixed feelings. I’m really excited to see Sotutu continue with his big performances. And would love to see him in black (fuk u iddy)

But not too good please against the Crusaders.

Who's "iddy"? Ardie? Sorry, I don't get that one.

The AB loose forward make up for the rumored Bledisloe in October will be interesting.

Eddy

[FujiKiwi]

Oh. I get it. Yes, fuk u Iddy, indeed, u bug fukwut.

Hoskins will be capped this year, I reckon, and that'll be the end of that.

[Monkey Magic]

Other big plus for the crusaders is the bench which will be crucial.

But as a blues fan I've been reassured by absolutely nothing in particular that it's our year, so up yours cantabs

[terangi48]

I'll go with the NZ-TAB.........Crusaders - $1.39..........Blues - $2.85.

It'll be more than 15 against 15 in this one.........the bench will be vital.

......however the game will change if Mo'unga is injured. Blues will have more depth at 10 with Otere Black and Carter.

[FujiKiwi]

Do we even know Carter will play?

Also, the last time I saw him be any good was five years ago, and I considered it the last blazing of a dying star, even then.