2014 Super Rugby: Hurricanes v Crusaders (Round 17)

[Jaguares]

1. Ben Franks
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4. Jeremy Thrush (c)
5. Blade Thomson
6. Brad Shields
7. Ardie Savea
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Tim Bateman
14. Cory Jane
15. Matt Proctor

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Dominic Bird
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Luke Whitelock
9. Andy Ellis
10.Colin Slade
11.Nafi Tuitavake
12.Ryan Crotty (C)
13.Kieron Fonotia
14.Johnny McNicholl
15.Tom Taylor

 

[Jaguares]

Carter available for Saders but not Nadolo:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Carter-available-for-Crusaders-but-not-Nadolo

Hurricanes:

1. Ben Franks
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4. Jeremy Thrush (c)
5. Blade Thomson
6. Brad Shields
7. Ardie Savea
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Tim Bateman
14. Cory Jane
15. Matt Proctor

Replacements:

16. Motu Matu’u/Reggie Goodes
17. Chris Eves
18. Reggie Goodes/Brendon Edmonds
19. James Broadhurst
20. Jack Lam
21. Chris Smylie
22. Hadleigh Parkes
23. James Marshall

Crusaders:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Dominic Bird
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Luke Whitelock
9. Andy Ellis
10.Colin Slade
11.Nafi Tuitavake
12.Ryan Crotty (C)
13.Kieron Fonotia
14.Johnny McNicholl
15.Tom Taylor

Replacements:

16. Ben Funnell
17. Joe Moody
18. Owen Franks
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Kieran Read
21. Willi Heinz
22. Dan Carter
23. Rob Thompson

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

dan the man is back always good

 

[Darwin]

Interesting match. I'm not quite sure what Blackadder is doing resting players for such a key match. The Crusaders forward pack looks good (even without Read and Franks), but outside of Ellis, Slade, and Crotty the Crusaders backline doesn't look that impressive. Fonotia will run straight and hard but I feel is a bit limited, Tuitavake will drift infield on defense almost every time the Canes go wide leaving plenty of space for Jane (or Proctor), McNicholl hasn't lived up to the hype(that I tried to create ) and will struggle to stop Savea, while Tom Taylor is a very average fullback at this level.

While the Canes have a clear edge in the backline they may struggle to get quality ball. The front-row is good, but Thomson lacks the physicality required at lock at this level, and while I like all of the loose-forward individually I'm not convinced about them as a trio (mainly as Shields and Savea haven't played that much rugby this year). The highlights for me will be Shields vs Taufua (two very physical 6's), Savea vs Todd, and Perenara vs Ellis (Ellis on form has probably been the 2nd best 9 in the country for the last few years IMO).

I'm picking the Crusaders by 5-10, as I think their bench strength will show later in the match.

 

[Darwin]

Canes dropping like flies! Leiua and Vito off injured inside 10 minutes.

 

[lynam1104]

Big blows for the Canes, but they're putting some good stuff together.

 

[Darwin]

Canes have looked the better team so far, but the Crusaders have a fair bit of firepower on the bench!

Julian Savea looks almost unstoppable with ball in hand....

 

[austingtir]

Crusaders dont have a clue. But the Canes arent exactly taking many of these chances the Saders are giving them

 

[Darwin]

Canes finally score (despite trying to stuff it up). Good work by Savea in the build-up. McNicholl is a hopeless defender....

 

[austingtir]

I dont think Dan is going to be able to save the Crusaders for this one. They just look like a bunch of headless chickens to me. Blackadder should be coaching under 10's.

 

[Darwin]

Dane Coles needs to learn to stop charging into breakdowns leading with his head. He is going to end up getting carded if he keeps doing that.

Colin Slade needs to learn to kick the ball into touch from penalties.

 

[austingtir]

A bit surprised how much of a thrashing the canes scrum is getting its like they arent even trying to push. They have some half decent players in that forward pack.??

 

[Darwin]

A bit surprised how much of a thrashing the canes scrum is getting its like they arent even trying to push. They have some half decent players in that forward pack.??

I'm not surprised at all the Canes scrum is struggling. Their front-row is solid, but they have Blade Thomson at lock. He lacks the physicality to be a loose-forward at this level, let alone a lock! The Crusaders scrum is pretty handy too....

The Crusaders need to make some serious changes at halftime. Their attack is still ridiculously lateral which is making it very easy for the Canes defense. They need to attack a lot closer to the breakdown with their forward runners (Taufua, Crockett, Flynn etc) before passing the ball out. They should bring on Read (for Whitelock), Franks, and Carter at halftime IMO. I would move Carter to 10 (to give the attack some direction), and shift Slade to fullback (as Taylor is a rubbish fullback at this level).

 

[austingtir]

Going off this game and the game last night you'd have to say the HL are the best out of the NZ sides right now. Just hope they can pick it up a gear to get past the waratahs next week. Beating them at home would really mean something and its something the HL havent done in a long time.

 

[Darwin]

Matu'u lineout throwing is not very good......

The Crusaders set piece dominance may end up being enough for them to win this match...

 

[austingtir]

I think the more deserving side has won this match. The Crusaders need to have a massive rethink of their tactics and foundations.

 

[Darwin]

Seriously Tom Taylor is completely hopeless at fullback.

Canes may have sealed it with that try..

 

[lynam1104]

Canes did well but with so many key players picking up injuries I doubt they can really cause much trouble should they even make the finals.

 

[Jaguares]

With victories of Canes and Landers, Chiefs can say goodbye to the playoffs. If Force can beat Blues, will be interesting to see the battle for sixth place

 

[Darwin]

Not really a great game of rugby, but there were a few good moments (mainly from the Canes). Coles, Barrett, and J Savea were the pick of the Canes for me, while I thought S Whitelock, and Crotty were the pick of the Crusaders.

As has been mentioned the injuries to Vito and Leiua are big blows to the Canes. They have however put themselves in a strong position to make the playoffs, it all comes down to the Chiefs game next week. If they win they will be in, if they lose they will most likely miss out.

By virtue of the bonus point the Crusaders move back to the top of the New Zealand conference, but as has been mentioned they have a lot of work to do. The forward pack overall is good, though they need Read back and up to speed asap. The backline was a bit of a disaster against the Canes, but there is some hope in my opinion. The Crusaders attack is far too lateral, but adding a creative player like Carter at 10 who takes the ball to the line (as opposed to Slade) will help. As will having Read running out in the wider channels (once he gets up to speed), having a genuine strike weapon on the wing (Nadolo), and an actual fullback at fullback (Dagg). Personally I would go with a backline next week of 9. Ellis, 10. Carter, 11. Nadolo, 12. Crotty, 13. Fonotia, 14. McNicholl, 15. Dagg (if fit, otherwise Slade). Obviously the midfield lacks a bit of creativity. A 12. Taylor, 13. Crotty midfield would be an option, but I much prefer Crotty at 12 (and Taylor isn't exactly in great form).