[2018 Super Rugby] Round 5: Highlanders vs. Crusaders (17/03/2018)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium​

Time: 08:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Captain_Az]

Thinking the Highlanders should be able to take this one oi the handling improves from last week. They'll have to take them seriously of course but with all the injuries to the Crusaders this is as good of a chance to score a W against the Saders that you'll get.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i hope your right, have a bad feeling its going to be one of those ones where we stay close and then start throwing it around looking for the winner only to get punished.

If we can stick some of those passes or not throw them to start with this could be a cracker

dont think we have any new injuries?

 

[Larksea]

game of the round

 

[Icemn]

i think the landers should take this one

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Game of the round! Over the past few yeas this fixture has produced some rugby, hopefully more of the same this weekend. Very tough to pick but I'm backing the Landers... Crusaders are missing a lot of key men and they really miss Mo'unga. Then again they're champions for a reason...

 

[mania]

1 and 2 of the NZ conf.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Rob Thompson in good form, hope hes out to prove something

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders may struggle with their injuries this week, mind you H'landers are a pretty smart team, and liking the look of their new midfield. Don't know how many games A Smith can put in like last week, because he will probably need to.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

yeah, i'm not sure what else Thompson needs to do before he started getting mentioned in regards to the AB's

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.

 

[Captain_Az]

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Billy Harmon, Bryn Hall, Mike Delany, Manasa Mataele.

 

[Captain_Az]

Man you think the Crusaders have some injuries and the Highlanders are decent favourites then looked at their team naming and realise just how incredibly stacked they are. Such a monstrous foyrward pack Landers need to avoid set pieces at all costs.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...t-we-have-just-got-to-be-ready-for-everything

Sam Whitelock is out

 

[Captain_Az]

Updated Crusaders team with Whitelock and Delaney out

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (captain), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Billy Harmon, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Manasa Mataele.

 

[Radsy]

This has been pure rugby porn thus far. Hopefully the ref can ease up on the whistle.

The Crusaders are using the quick passes between forwards to find space outside the flankers beautifully.

Highlanders are hitting like they're looking to kill someone. Beautiful defense.

Nasty gash on Goodhue.

 

[Bluemoon]

What an amazing game of rugby. Skills on show have been incredible at times.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Stoked with that, highlander of old would have started to fold after that first try...not this team though!

 

[Big_Grumper]

This has been pure rugby porn thus far. Hopefully the ref can ease up on the whistle.

The Crusaders are using the quick passes between forwards to find space outside the flankers beautifully.

Highlanders are hitting like they're looking to kill someone. Beautiful defense.

Nasty gash on Goodhue.

I was thinking the same thing! The skills on show are sublime: dynamic, aggressive, attack-minded rugby married to an effective defence. I just wish we could produce players with these skill sets in the northern hemisphere.