[2015 Super Rugby] Crusaders vs. Lions (Round 5) 14/03/2015

[TRF_heineken]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

05:30 CAT, (SA, GMT+2)​

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 David Havili

Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Sampie Mastriet, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Warren Whiteley (captain), 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Martin Muller, 4. Franco Mostert, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Corne Fourie

Substitutes: 16. Armand van der Merwe, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Andries Ferreira, 20. Derick Minnie, 21. Faf de Klerk, 22. Marnitz Boshoff, 23. Howard Mnisi

 

[Shaggy]

Not to belittle the Lions efforts against the Blues, but the Crusaders should be welcoming back a few reinforcements this week (Read, Nadolo, Sam Whitelock), so I'm hoping that they can get their season going from here on in

... I've got to back the Saders because they're my team

EDIT:- NZ's Radio Sport is reporting that Carter, Nadolo, Read, and S.Whitelock, will all either start or come off the bench for this match ... trying to find a link to confirm this

EDIT AGAIN : - Blackadder on the radio saying Nadolo, Read and S.Whitelock will most likely start, Dagg still out ... as Carter wasn't specifically mention, maybe he's coming off the bench (he's been running at 100% during training during the bye week, apparently)

EDIT YET AGAIN : - here's is a link to an article explaining the above http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...against-lions-after-full-recovery-from-injury

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

If only I could say the Lions would be welcoming back Kwagga Smith.

 

[Shaggy]

If only I could say the Lions would be welcoming back Kwagga Smith.

I'd prefer him playing against the Crusaders, rather than against our Sevens team to be honest ... I'd like to see a dominant performance from DC, but I guess I'd settle for "Solid" without injury

 

[TRF_heineken]

If only I could say the Lions would be welcoming back Kwagga Smith.

I don't know if I'd put him in the team though. The back row of the Lions are good runners with the ball, they put in a lot of tackles and they pilfer together. Even with the absence of Jaco Kriel, they have been performing well as a unit. And Warwick Tecklenburg is slowly becoming a good replacement.

If I were the Crusaders I'd worry more on the scrummaging area. The Lions' props are all now back from injury and had some time on the pitch. If the Lions can keep the Saders on the back foot and prevent them from having good front foot ball off first phase possession, then the return of DC, Nadolo and Dagg will be nullified.

Last week's win over the Blues showed that the Lions can play without the ball, and that they defend their tryline.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I get the weirdest feeling that the Lions are going to win this one.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Lions team has been announced. Only 2 changes on the bench to the side that beaten the Blues last week.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I read the NZ herald saying that 'losing at home to the Lions is as bad as it comes'....

I can't see it happening again but I have to say I'd revel in a Lions win mainly as they are huge underdogs (and the Crusaders hold a special place in the dark parts of my heart as far as I'm concernded as a Stormers supporter).

 

[Shaggy]

I don't know if I'd put him in the team though. The back row of the Lions are good runners with the ball, they put in a lot of tackles and they pilfer together. Even with the absence of Jaco Kriel, they have been performing well as a unit. And Warwick Tecklenburg is slowly becoming a good replacement.

If I were the Crusaders I'd worry more on the scrummaging area. The Lions' props are all now back from injury and had some time on the pitch. If the Lions can keep the Saders on the back foot and prevent them from having good front foot ball off first phase possession, then the return of DC, Nadolo and Dagg will be nullified.

Last week's win over the Blues showed that the Lions can play without the ball, and that they defend their tryline.

We won't see Dagg as he's still out with injury, we are likely to see the strongest possible Crusaders side starting. Owen Franks will be back after serving his suspension, plus Sam Whitelock, Keiran Read at 8, and Richie at Open Side, so the battle in the forwards should be interesting.

In the backs, Andy Ellis should start, and partner either Slade at 10 (with Carter at 12, Crotty at 13, and Taylor at 15), or Carter at 10 (with Crotty at 12, and Slade at 15)

EDIT:- Crusaders named, it is Slade at 10, Carter at 12,, Crotty at 13 and Taylor at 15 (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-overhauls-team-to-face-lions-in-christchurch)

Crusaders: Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Richie McCaw, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Luke Whitelock, Mitchell Drummond, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili.

EDIT AGAIN:- Carter will be doing the goal kicking

 

[TRF_heineken]

So Carter to play at 12 with Nadolo and Whitelock also back in the starting line-up.

I think the Crusaders might win by more than 7...

 

[Shaggy]

So Carter to play at 12 with Nadolo and Whitelock also back in the starting line-up.

I think the Crusaders might win by more than 7...

The Crusaders certainly won't have any excuses if they lose ... hopefully they've used the bye time, to get their combinations sharp

 

[Gena_ZA]

Can't see the Crusader with the top players returning not win this game

 

[Mikel92]

Mixed bag tonight I felt.

Sort of disappointed if I'm totally honest, but then again, how can you be too guttered by a bonus point victory? The reason is, basic mistakes still plague our game when they really don't need to. Passing, catching, paying attention in general. I know we are slow starters almost every season, and it's wise not to hit full gear until you get to the money-end of the season, but it's just frustrating. And at the end of the day, the reason these things are important is because it could be a deciding factor whether you play a Super Rugby Final in Christchurch or Sydney, or Cape Town, or wherever. At finals time, stadium location matters.

Some great attacking happening in this game, good movements and with our full strength side obviously we can be dominant. There was an extra bit of class injected in places that has been missing in the last few weeks; the forward pack especially going well. Just wish we would employ a half decent backline coach. If we are going to just accept running from side to side as our strategy each and every week then we will never be the powerhouse we once were. We got the job done against the Lions at home, but against tougher opposition you've got to be a bit more creative or imposing in terms of the attack.

Continuing with the mixed reaction, it was good to see Nemani Nadolo showcase some of his power and work his way back in. It's concerning about his pace and fitness, but he will get there. He took a few catches in the air tonight which he wouldn't have done last year. Some of the Christmas pudding cake still needs to be run off, but that is easily sorted with a bit of time.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I was very frustrated in the way the scrums were judged. Wyatt Crockett had been scrumming inwards the whole night, and Julian Redelinghuys was penalised every time. The one time when he was under pressure, he popped up and then got a yellow card.

Other than that, the Lions weren't in the match really. Their backline lacked an attacking spark, and I thought there was a problem between the centres.