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'Adults versus kids': Ex-Wallaby says Crusaders are now out of the picture
By Ben Smith
Former Wallaby Mat Rogers has put a fork through the Crusaders' playoff hopes after the side's 37-15 defeat at the hands of the Western Force.
Despite the two sides being coming into the game with just one win each in 11th and 12th place respectively, the home side rallied to deliver a spirited showing in Kurtley Beale's debut.
"The Crusaders, they had 14 turnovers tonight, I think half of them would have been from solid defensive hits from the Force," Rogers explained.
"They were in their faces all night."
Dual code international Allana Ferguson compared the Crusaders to children after watching the Force maul demolish them for a third time.
"What about that, that just looks like adults versus kids, that was outstanding," Ferguson said of the Force's final maul try.
The Force travel to New Zealand to face the Highlanders, the Chiefs and before returning home to face the Fijian Drua and NSW Waratahs.
Rogers believed that two of the game are winnable, putting them in the hunt for the final eight but he was prepared to write off the Crusaders chances.
"The confidence that they'll take off the back of this, Kurtley slotting into that side, he's only been there a week," Rogers said of the Force.
"Give him a couple more he will get better, the confidence will grow from within the team. Who knows what the future holds for this team, but they are going to put themselves in the picture.
"I've now taken the Crusaders out of that picture. I don't think they can get there."
The Crusaders travel home for two games against Australian sides, the Rebels and the Reds, before the southern derby against the Highlanders.
They then play the Brumbies in Canberra before returning home to play rivals the Blues.
"Yeah, the Crusaders are gone for me too," Ferguson agreed.
"What I liked about the Force's game tonight was it was quite balanced. They were successful in a few different ways. Their attack in the first half I thought was pretty good and the defence was what won it for them in the end.
"Obviously the rolling maul was on fire as well, I thought they were pretty well balanced in how they got the win over the Crusaders."
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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