Blues vs Crusaders.

[Sam Owen]

Im going for the Blues (surprise surprise) we're strong at home and I think we can really take this season beginning with the 'saders, seriously.

Couldnt find the line ups for this week so please post them if you can it'll be appreciated.

SMASH 'EM BLUES!!!!

 

[Shaggy]

Could go either way ... but i'll go with the Crusaders (thats a surprise too I guess) ... I wonder which side will achieve the dominance in the forwards - they are both quality back lines if the top players are playing

Have the teams been named yet?

 

[FlukeArtist]

Rugby: Three brothers to start for Crusaders

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10:50 AM Thursday Feb 17, 2011

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Sam Whitelock will pay along side his brothers George and Adam on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images



<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> $("#articleImage").nzhStoryImage({ smlImageSrc : "http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/20118/whitelock_220x147.jpg", smlImageCaption : "Sam Whitelock will pay along side his brothers George and Adam on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images", bigImageSrc : "http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/20118/whitelock_460x230.jpg", bigImageCaption : "Sam Whitelock will pay along side his brothers George and Adam on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images" }); </SCRIPT>The Crusaders will feature three brothers in their line-up when they face the Blues in the opening round of the Super 15 in Auckland on Saturday.
All Black lock Sam Whitelock will be joined by his siblings George and Adam the starting 15, while openside flanker Matt Todd will make his debut in place of the injured Richie McCaw. McCaw underwent surgery on a stress fracture to his foot on Tuesday.
Fullback Israel Dagg, who missed the Crusaders' final pre-season hit-out with a thigh injury, will make his first start for the team after moving from the Highlanders.
Zac Guildford, who pulled a hamstring in the win over the Highlanders in Oamaru last week, has been replaced on the left wing by Tu Umaga-Marshall.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said the new format of the Super 15 meant derby matches would be crucial to his team's hopes.
"It's an exciting time and we're entering the unknown a little bit with the new format of the competition, but we are looking for a good performance against the Blues.
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"These derby matches are very important with the new conference system and I hear there will be a big crowd at Eden Park so the atmosphere should be superb," he said.
Team: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Francis Smith, Ben Franks, Chris Jack, Jonathan Poff, Willi Heinz, Matt Berquist, Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal.
- NZPA

 

[FlukeArtist]

Strong looking team, even without McCaw and SBW....

Don't know when Blues team is announced.

I suspect it will look a bit like last week's team

 

[Darwin]

No surprises in the team - looks strong despite the fact McCaw, SBW, Wheeler, Quentin MacDonald, Guildford, Crotty, Fotuali'i and Hall were all unavailable due to injury. Crockett starts ahead of Ben Franks, but I'm sure they will rotate the three main props throughout the year to keep them fresh. I'd expect the Blues team will be named sometime soon.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Both have awesome backlines, but the Crusaders have better forwards which could prove the difference.

 

[d1e1m]

Surprised Dagg is on the wing while AW is at FB, I would've switched'em. Although I think Toddy would rather play anyone but ButterFingers Maitland who, while a strong runner, drops anything coming at him above the shoulders. Not surprised Crocky ahead of Ben, think he has a greater impact than Ben although he's less solid in most other aspects in comparison, the older Franks will come off the bench to mop up no doubt. The teams are quite even, think this one will be decided more by the left boot of DC than anything else. Wouldn't be surprised if the Saders lose this but I think they'll at least come away with a 2 points.

 

[Darwin]

Surprised Dagg is on the wing while AW is at FB, I would've switched'em. Although I think Toddy would rather play anyone but ButterFingers Maitland who, while a strong runner, drops anything coming at him above the shoulders. Not surprised Crocky ahead of Ben, think he has a greater impact than Ben although he's less solid in most other aspects in comparison, the older Franks will come off the bench to mop up no doubt. The teams are quite even, think this one will be decided more by the left boot of DC than anything else. Wouldn't be surprised if the Saders lose this but I think they'll at least come away with a 2 points.

The team sheet I looked at (and the one posted above) has Dagg at fullback and AW (Adam Whitelock?) at centre...

 

[d1e1m]

The team sheet I looked at (and the one posted above) has Dagg at fullback and AW (Adam Whitelock?) at centre...

YOu're right, I misread that somehow and thought Toddy had stumbled upon a bit of genius no one else was privy to. Too bad Guilford and SBW can't play, will just have to wait a few more weeks to see the team at full strength but this gives MTodd a chance to show he's the next Sader AllBlack.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Dan Braid, the worlds second best flanker after David Pocock will win it for the Blues

 

[Shaggy]

Dan Braid, the worlds second best flanker after David Pocock will win it for the Blues

Haha ... and when Braid was playing for the Red's he was No.1, right?

Seriously though, i'm actually looking forward to seeing how Matt Todd goes up against Braid

 

[nickdnz]

I actually have predicted the Blues to take this one, should be close though.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Will also be a close game but expect the Crusaders to win it.

 

[Darwin]

Blues (http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/148093/rugby-blues-crusaders-teams-named-clash): Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Broic, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney/Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Luke Braid, Toby Morland, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers.



Predictable lineup - great to see Ali Williams back playing. Should be a reasonably close game, but I think the Blues might take it as they are basically at full strength (while the Crusaders have a number of injuries to key players), and the Crusaders traditionally start the season slowly.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well, I would be very thankful to the Blues if they did win this one. The one match-up that could be a bit lopsided is Carter opposite Brett. That said, Brett has at times looked brilliant. If the Blues do win this one it might just give them the confidence to push for the finals after being very hot-and-cold from game to game for the last few seasons.

 

[Sam Owen]

Very happy with the line-up and the bench (fistpump).

Big ask but I hope Ali is still the greatest and those knees of his have gotten stronger.

Dont know much about Chris Lowrey I was expecting to see Saili at no.8 but he must be injured, so Chris will be an interesting one for me to watch as I've never seen him play.

Hopefully Benson and Rene can keep Robbie Fruean in a library, nice and quiet.

Some big names in the forwards for both sides so it should be an even contest. However with no McCaw Braid should really look to shine and become the man of 'steal'.

Alby will look to tee off the season well for us and equally as zealous would be none other than Andy Ellis.

Cant wait...

 

[TNT88]

I hope the weather is good, it will be a fast game with heaps of attacking flair. A try fest would be nice.

 

[candybum]

I'd rather have Payne at Fullback and Toeava at center. I guess they might switch every now and again during the game still.. backline looks mint as!

 

[Darwin]

I'd rather have Payne at Fullback and Toeava at center. I guess they might switch every now and again during the game still.. backline looks mint as!

Personally I like the way they have it, as Toeava always performs his best with room to move at fullback. I'd expect they will mix up there backline formation at times during the game (as you suggest), with Payne, Toeava, and Ranger all running in the centre position at times depending on the moves they have planned.

Dont know much about Chris Lowrey I was expecting to see Saili at no.8 but he must be injured, so Chris will be an interesting one for me to watch as I've never seen him play.

Chris Lowrey is a very good number 8, but has had so many injury problems over the last few years. He was having a very strong debut season for the Blues in 2009 before injury (he won the Blues Rookie of the year award), but hasn't played many top level games since. He is not as dynamic as the two other 8 options at the Blues (Saili and Luamanu) but he does make good yards with the ball in hand. What sets him apart from Luamanu and Saili (who were apparently both fit for selection) is his consistency and his very high work-rate.

 

[Sam Owen]

Chris Lowrey is a very good number 8, but has had so many injury problems over the last few years. He was having a very strong debut season for the Blues in 2009 before injury (he won the Blues Rookie of the year award), but hasn't played many top level games since. He is not as dynamic as the two other 8 options at the Blues (Saili and Luamanu) but he does make good yards with the ball in hand. What sets him apart from Luamanu and Saili (who were apparently both fit for selection) is his consistency and his very high work-rate.

Sounds good does old Chris especially considering he got the nod over Saili and Luamanu (promising player I forgot about). I too would go with a guy thats consistent, works hard and is looking to prove himself after being held back from injuries. Because of those set backs hes had I think his mindset will be in a very determined place come kick off, he's straight into the deep end also squaring off with Kieran. Go Chris!