Crusaders 2013 Squad

[Mehrtsisagod]

Fairly predictable squad with a few new faces from the ITM Cup. I really thought Paea Fa'anunu would of made it into the squad. It lists McCaw but I thought his Sabbatical was around then.

Crusaders: Backs: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Johnny McNicholl, Zac Guildford, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz, Jeremy Sua. Forwards: Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, Shane Christie, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Tom Donnelly, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Corey Flynn, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor.

In

• Dominic Bird <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Shane Christie <small>(from Tasman)</small>
• Nepo Laulala <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Johnny McNicholl <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Joe Moody <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Jeremy Su'a <small>(from Tasman)</small>
• Jordan Taufua <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Codie Taylor <small>(from Canterbury)</small>
• Jimmy Tupou <small>(from Counties Manukau)</small>

[edit]Out

• Nick Barrett <small>(released)</small>
• Ben Franks <small>(to Hurricanes)</small>[89]​
• Ross Kennedy <small>(released)</small>
• Sean Maitland <small>(to Glasgow Warriors)</small>[90]​
• Quentin MacDonald <small>(to Blues)</small>[91]​
• Brendon O'Connor <small>(to Blues)</small>[92]​
• Patrick Osborne <small>(to Chiefs)</small>[93]​
• Joe Wheeler <small>(to Highlanders)</small>[94]​

 

[Tekadus7]

I've heard that McCaw will return towards the end of the season, which is where the Crusaders always perform.

Not many big changes for them, bar Franks and maybe Maitland.

 

[drif73r]

I really thought Paea Fa'anunu would of made it into the squad.

I thought the same, I was really surprised not to see him, and especially to see Moody instead. I guess the coaches see Fa'anunu more as a tighthead prop (even if he played both, tighthead and loosehead in the ITM Cup) and preferred Laulala as tighthead, and included Moody as a reserve loosehead. I'm still expecting to see him in the wider training group, though. He deserves it.

By the way, I thought Donnelly was leaving the Crusaders and heading to Japan. I'm mistaken or there was a change in his plans? Or will he play there for a few months and he will be back when the SR season starts?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Donnelly always intended to return for SR, but yeah he was in Japan while the ITM Cup was taking place.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Just going to voice my opinion (again) that Adam Whitelock is the most undeserving player to get a spot. He is so average. Does my head in that he gets in and way better players miss out.

 

[Larksea]

I would take Adam Whitelock in my super rugby side ahead of Kurt Baker or Stowers, I always thought he was underrated as a super rugby player before 2012 then this year his stocks obviously rose and he is surely the main reason Maitland hit the road to Scotland.

He doesn't have blistering pace, maybe lacks a bit of x-factor and I can't see him being an All Black but he does all the basics very well is very versatile, tall, good defender and can surprise on attack, he finished some good tries this year. He's also obviously a valued squad member off the park as well.

On a side note I liked the look of Ben Funnell in ITM cup recently.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I would take Adam Whitelock in my super rugby side ahead of Kurt Baker or Stowers, I always thought he was underrated as a super rugby player before 2012 then this year his stocks obviously rose and he is surely the main reason Maitland hit the road to Scotland.

He doesn't have blistering pace, maybe lacks a bit of x-factor and I can't see him being an All Black but he does all the basics very well is very versatile, tall, good defender and can surprise on attack, he finished some good tries this year. He's also obviously a valued squad member off the park as well.

On a side note I liked the look of Ben Funnell in ITM cup recently.

What part of his game is better than Baker's? He is slower, not as good at passing, is a worse kicker.. I don't get it. Stowers sure, they're completely different players so I can see how a coach would value Whitelock above Stowers who is pretty one-dimensional. You must be living in a different world to me though if you think Adam Whitelock is a better utility back than Kurt Baker.

 

[nickdnz]

Just going to voice my opinion (again) that Adam Whitelock is the most undeserving player to get a spot. He is so average. Does my head in that he gets in and way better players miss out.

Agree whole hartedly. To be honest I'd take Baker and Stowers over Adam Whitelock. Stowers has a lot of x-factor and I don't think is especially weak in any areas. Baker is just a very good fullback/winger with no disadvantages to Adam Whitelock other than his size.

Adam Whitelock has all the x-factor of a potato. He does nothing exceptionally. Solid is about as good as you can say for him, and that's not really enough in my mind to be the starting winger for the most successful team. Dropping Maitland for him is a bloody joke.

Has anyone ever seen Adam Whitelock outpace anyone? Or side step anyone? Like ever? How does he meet the criteria of a winger?

 

[Patchey]

is Tom Taylor still in the squad? From what I saw in the ITM cup he has just got better and better. Will be interesting to see how they fit him in with Carter and Dagg...

 

[Larksea]

yip tom tylor is in

I think he's a very classy player, brilliant kicker and this season he became only the 4th player to score over 300 points in super rugby + ITM cup and the other three guys were/are all blacks (Carter, Donald and Blair)

May be a sign of things to come. Still stuck behind carter though... Easily a better player than Bleyendaal IMO

 

[drif73r]

Donnelly always intended to return for SR, but yeah he was in Japan while the ITM Cup was taking place.

I see, thanks for clearing it up.

I would take Adam Whitelock in my super rugby side ahead of Kurt Baker or Stowers, I always thought he was underrated as a super rugby player before 2012 then this year his stocks obviously rose and he is surely the main reason Maitland hit the road to Scotland.

Really? I thought Maitland's leaving had more to do with the chance of playing test rugby for Scotland. It doesn't seem to me that he would've struggled to get game time had he stayed at the Crusaders, even with McNicholl in the squad, since they don't have that many outside backs.

is Tom Taylor still in the squad? From what I saw in the ITM cup he has just got better and better. Will be interesting to see how they fit him in with Carter and Dagg...

Second five-eighth sounds reasonable too. Of course he'll have a chance at 10 when they rest Carter (he was preferred over Bleyendaal last season, and I think that the trend will continue next year), but I'm not really sure if he'll play fullback. Dagg and McNicholl are better choices and unless they really struggle with injuries I can't see him playing there.

 

[nickdnz]

I see, thanks for clearing it up.


Really? I thought Maitland's leaving had more to do with the chance of playing test rugby for Scotland. It doesn't seem to me that he would've struggled to get game time had he stayed at the Crusaders, even with McNicholl in the squad, since they don't have that many outside backs.

Second five-eighth sounds reasonable too. Of course he'll have a chance at 10 when they rest Carter (he was preferred over Bleyendaal last season, and I think that the trend will continue next year), but I'm not really sure if he'll play fullback. Dagg and McNicholl are better choices and unless they really struggle with injuries I can't see him playing there.

He was actually de-listed from the Crusaders. As Blackadder is a tool.

 

[Darwin]

A pretty good looking Crusaders squad, though I do think there are a few more weaknesses than in previous years.

The front-row in particular could be an area of concern for them. The starting front-row will be very strong, but they lack the depth they have had in previous seasons. I'm not convinced that either Laulala or Moody are ready for Super Rugby level, but one of them will be on the bench at very least. I'm surprised they didn't pick up Campbell Johnstone (unless he has signed overseas again?). I'm a bit disappointed to see MacDonald leave the region as I thought he would take over from Flynn this season. Funnell and Taylor are promising, but again I don't think they are ready to start at this level yet.

The locks look strong, and Bird should learn a lot from Romano, Donnelly, and Whitelock. Tupou is a great pickup too, as he has a lot of talent and looks equally comfortable at lock, 6 or 8. Even with McCaw out for most of the season there is plenty of depth in the loosies. It is good too see Christie rewarded for his strong season with a contract too. I can't wait to see Jordan Taufua unleashed on some unsuspected teams at this level!

I'm slighty surprised to see Sua picked as the 3rd halfback, as I have never been that impressed by him. The rest of the backs basically pick themselves, though I thought they may have found some room for another outside back (Veainu/Lam/Stowers/Baker etc). Adam Whitelock thoroughly deserves his spot....as a midfield back. He had another strong season for Canterbury (despite playing most of the season on the wing). I don't expect we will see him start many games on the wing for the Crusaders this season unless there are a few injuries (as the Crusaders have McNicholl, who almost has as much class as Ben Smith...).

 

[drif73r]

He was actually de-listed from the Crusaders. As Blackadder is a tool.

You're right, I see there were some news more than a month ago about him being de-listed. I guess I should try to find better sources for rugby news, since none of the sites I usually check had that info.

Adam Whitelock thoroughly deserves his spot....as a midfield back. He had another strong season for Canterbury (despite playing most of the season on the wing). I don't expect we will see him start many games on the wing for the Crusaders this season unless there are a few injuries (as the Crusaders have McNicholl, who almost has as much class as Ben Smith...).

I hope you're right, but I can see McNicholl starting the season off the bench and Adam Whitelock as first choice 14. Hopefully McNicholl will earn his place on the starting lineup.

 

[Darwin]

I hope you're right, but I can see McNicholl starting the season off the bench and Adam Whitelock as first choice 14. Hopefully McNicholl will earn his place on the starting lineup.

I would be very surprised if Adam Whitelock is the first choice wing for the Crusaders next season. He was ok for them their last season, though the fact he was starting was more down to the other alternatives poor form (Maitland), injuries (Tom Marshall), or complete lack of experience (Osbourne). If Maitland had shown any sort of form or Tom Marshall had been fit over the later half of the season I believe they would have been picked ahead of Whitelock. If I was a selector Adam Whitelock would be battling with Tom Marshall for a spot on the Crusaders bench.....

 

[drif73r]

I would be very surprised if Adam Whitelock is the first choice wing for the Crusaders next season. He was ok for them their last season, though the fact he was starting was more down to the other alternatives poor form (Maitland), injuries (Tom Marshall), or complete lack of experience (Osbourne). If Maitland had shown any sort of form or Tom Marshall had been fit over the later half of the season I believe they would have been picked ahead of Whitelock. If I was a selector Adam Whitelock would be battling with Tom Marshall for a spot on the Crusaders bench.....

I agree with you, but I don't see Blackadder as someone who takes many risks in his selections, and inexperience will probably be a burden to McNicholl at the beginning of the season. Though Tom Marshall is definitely a plausible option to start, I wouldn't be surprised if Adam Whitelock is the preferred option.

By the way, with so many options in the loose forwards and with Todd pretty much guaranteed starting spot (due to McCaw sabbatical), who do you think will be on the bench? Luke Whitelock seems plausible, but do the newcomers have real chances of contesting for that spot? Last season, not even once have the Crusaders had two loose forwards on the bench. Could we see that happening now and then next year?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I don't think we'll see two loosies on the bench, considering you've got three proven locks and one highly promising lock in the squad.

 

[Darwin]

I don't think we'll see two loosies on the bench, considering you've got three proven locks and one highly promising lock in the squad.

Yep I don't see the need for two loosies on the bench either. Luke Whitelock will likely be the preferred loose-forward cover, though personally I would like to see Taufua starting from the bench as he could make a big impact late in the game.