Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Isaac Ross, Romana Graham, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White , Craig Clarke , Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tana Umaga, Tim Nanai-William
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Kahn Fotuali'I; Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Matt Berquist, Adam Whitelock.
Been some great encounters over the last few years, the crucaders are the form team in the whole competition right now but the chiefs are a lot better than their results suggest and will be rested after their bye.
Chiefs welcome back Mills who is a big boost for a game like this. Chiefs also welcome back Ben Afeaki & Fritz Lee to the starting lineup which will help bulk up the forwards. Though to really be able to compete with the Crusaders backline I really think they will miss not having Donald and Tana. Donald was a critical figure in the most recent successes the chiefs have had over the crucaders and Dwayne Sweeney doesn't have the class and experience of tana to face upto the form combination of Sonny & Fruen. Kahui has looked good, fast and been very good on defence but we wont see the best out of him on attack while he's inside Sweeney who has a tendancy to just put the ball under his wing and run when ever he gets it. When what the chiefs need is a 12 that gets on the outside of his oposite and draws another defender from the outside before passing to Kahui.
Crusaders welcome back Carter to 10 and McCaw to the bench, also see Kahn Fotuali'i start at 9 and Elis move to the bench. Elis had a vintage start to the season but has been a bit quiet in the last couple games so Fotuali'i gets his chance.
hard to imagine anything but a crusaders win, the form they are in they could beat anyone in the comp. For the chiefs to be in with a chance the scrum needs to perform and Mike Delany needs to lift his game big time because they cant rely on Donald & Lauaki having a blinder like they have in the past against the caders.
Lastly: Get the ball to Masanga! If the chiefs can get Kahui putting Masanga into space then great things will happen. Kahui has the speed and ability to trouble Fruen on defence and Masanga is in blistering form.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Kahn Fotuali'I; Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Matt Berquist, Adam Whitelock.
Been some great encounters over the last few years, the crucaders are the form team in the whole competition right now but the chiefs are a lot better than their results suggest and will be rested after their bye.
Chiefs welcome back Mills who is a big boost for a game like this. Chiefs also welcome back Ben Afeaki & Fritz Lee to the starting lineup which will help bulk up the forwards. Though to really be able to compete with the Crusaders backline I really think they will miss not having Donald and Tana. Donald was a critical figure in the most recent successes the chiefs have had over the crucaders and Dwayne Sweeney doesn't have the class and experience of tana to face upto the form combination of Sonny & Fruen. Kahui has looked good, fast and been very good on defence but we wont see the best out of him on attack while he's inside Sweeney who has a tendancy to just put the ball under his wing and run when ever he gets it. When what the chiefs need is a 12 that gets on the outside of his oposite and draws another defender from the outside before passing to Kahui.
Crusaders welcome back Carter to 10 and McCaw to the bench, also see Kahn Fotuali'i start at 9 and Elis move to the bench. Elis had a vintage start to the season but has been a bit quiet in the last couple games so Fotuali'i gets his chance.
hard to imagine anything but a crusaders win, the form they are in they could beat anyone in the comp. For the chiefs to be in with a chance the scrum needs to perform and Mike Delany needs to lift his game big time because they cant rely on Donald & Lauaki having a blinder like they have in the past against the caders.
Lastly: Get the ball to Masanga! If the chiefs can get Kahui putting Masanga into space then great things will happen. Kahui has the speed and ability to trouble Fruen on defence and Masanga is in blistering form.
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