[2017 Super Rugby] Round 3: Reds vs. Crusaders (11/03/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Time: 10:45 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I obviously favour the Crusaders here but am I mad for thinking the Reds have a chance of sneaking this? Crusaders last game was a war against the Highlanders and the Brumbies seemed able to nullify the Crusaders a bit in week 1. Guessing the Brumbies defence is considered much better than the Reds though?

 

[Jaguares]

Saders:

Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Digby Ioane, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Whetu Douglas, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Replacements:

Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Bryn Hall, Marty McKenzie, George Bridge.

Reds

1. James Slipper (C) , 2. Stephen Moore , 3. Sam Talakai , 4. Rob Simmons , 5. Izack Rodda (run-on debut) , 6. Hendrik Tui , 7. George Smith , 8. Scott Higginbotham , 9. Nick Frisby , 10. Quade Cooper , 11. Eto Nabuli , 12. Duncan Paia’aua , 13. Samu Kerevi , 14. Izaia Perese (run-on debut) , 15. Karmichael Hunt

16. Andrew Ready , 17. Sef Fa’agase , 18. Taniela Tupou , 19. Kane Douglas , 20. Adam Korczyk , 21. James Tuttle , 22. Jake McIntyre , 23. Chris Kuridrani

 

[BobbyM]

Dagg off injured. Potentially ligament damage

 

[Makos]

NZ rugby "depth" being tested. Would like to see the Reds win this to get rid of this complacent mentality and superiority complex we seem to have adopted and safe feeling of how much depth we have. We need a wake up call into retaining our talents.

 

[BobbyM]

Agreed, NMS, Dagg and Tamanivalu all gone off this weekend

 

[BobbyM]

This could be a very harsh finish for the reds.

 

[BobbyM]

That noise though during the kick, pretty poor form from the fans there. Cracking kick!!!!!

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Damnation! I said the Reds had a chance here and they won't get a better chance for a NZ scalp than that. Unable to run through the phases for 2mins. Very disappointing but completely unsurprising finish.

 

[nik]

Wow! How Reds should not have lost that. I thought after the injuries to Dagg and Taminivalu, crusaders had the game out of reach 17-0 down. Crusaders attack looked blunt without those players. Credit to Whitelock, i thought he rallied the team brilliantly.
As for the reds. They should have just booted the ball down the field at the end and back their defence.