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Crusaders stick with tried and tested for Chiefs grudge match
By Online Editors
Coach Scott Robertson has kept the faith with the 23 that tore holes in the Hurricanes defence for the Crusaders' second match of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season, against the Chiefs in Christchurch.
The Crusaders return home this weekend for the first time since March 6th and will be hoping to reverse the loss inflicted by the Chiefs earlier in the year.
Having scored five tries to one in Wellington last weekend, Robertson has stuck with the tried and tested and made no changes to the team for this Sunday's match.
As such, the Crusaders will call upon 11 All Blacks for their match-up with the Chiefs - including 7 starters who featured for New Zealand at last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Codie Taylor, who was handed the captain's armband last week, retains leadership duties after regular captain Scott Barrett undertook surgery earlier this week which will rule him out for the entire competition.
Braydon Ennor, who sustained a haematoma against the Hurricanes and didn't return after the halftime whistle, has recovered sufficiently to take his place in the midfield.
''He was removed at halftime just to make sure it didn't get any worse. He's responded really well to the physios post-match, and in the early part of the week," said assistant coach Mark Jones of the 1-cap All Black.
Robertson told media this morning that giving the same 23 an opportunity to play together again this week is a chance to build combinations quickly given the short 10-week competition.
"We know the nature of the competition, it is a sprint, it's short, sharp," Robertson said.
"It's really important to get off to a good start and that's what we've done with the team that played well last week and [we've] rewarded them."
Several Crusaders players are also set to turn out for their clubs this week, including Quinten Strange and Andrew Makalio, who are both returning from injury.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor (c), Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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