Crusaders V Bulls

[Shaggy]

This game is already a sell out in Timaru, and should be a close match.

Just heard on NZ Radio sports,that The Crusaders have no Dan Carter, who's hamstring hasn't recovered from the injury he picked up against the sharks, Chris Jack in for the injured Sam Whitelock, and Ben Franks comes in for Owen Franks...the Bulls seem to get their line out and kicking game in order against the Hurricanes last week

Can the Crusaders match it with the Bulls forwards, and will their back line function like it has with Matt Berquist in the No.10 jersey

 

[dan the man]

Hmmm... All eye's will be on Berquist, I hope he plays well as these days it seems as if whoever tries to replace Carter fails miserably... Looking forward to seeing Jack get some decent gametime to.

I to think it will be close... for the first 60 mins, then if Berquist is up to the task the Crusaders will run away with it in the later stages

 

[Darwin]

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Andy Ellis; Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff/Joe Wheeler, Kahn Fotuali'I, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Bjorn Basson, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Dean Greyling. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Rossouw de Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Danie Rossouw, Derick Kuün, Francois Brummer, Gerhard van den Heever.

It will be a big test for the Crusaders to see whether they can continue their dominant play without Carter running the team. Berquist should do ok as he is a good player, and is surrounded by quality players, however the Crusaders backline just doesn't look as potent without Carter there. Interesting to see that they have not named a specialist first-five (Blyendaal) on the bench - if Berquist gets injured I'd assume Dagg will come into first-five.

I would have preferred to have seen Wheeler in place of Romano, but Wheeler could still make his way onto the bench if Poff does not pass a fitness test.

No surprises in the Bulls lineup, though it's interesting to see they have gone with a 5/2 split on the bench.

Overall, I still think the Crusaders will be favorites (despite Carter being out), I'm picking them to take it by about 10 points.

 

[ranger]

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Andy Ellis; Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff/Joe Wheeler, Kahn Fotuali'I, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Bjorn Basson, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Dean Greyling. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Rossouw de Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Danie Rossouw, Derick Kuün, Francois Brummer, Gerhard van den Heever.

It will be a big test for the Crusaders to see whether they can continue their dominant play without Carter running the team. Berquist should do ok as he is a good player, and is surrounded by quality players, however the Crusaders backline just doesn't look as potent without Carter there. Interesting to see that they have not named a specialist first-five (Blyendaal) on the bench - if Berquist gets injured I'd assume Dagg will come into first-five.

I would have preferred to have seen Wheeler in place of Romano, but Wheeler could still make his way onto the bench if Poff does not pass a fitness test.

No surprises in the Bulls lineup, though it's interesting to see they have gone with a 5/2 split on the bench.

Overall, I still think the Crusaders will be favorites (despite Carter being out), I'm picking them to take it by about 10 points.

I would love to see Dagg in the 10 jersey as i think he has all the attributes to be a great player in that position, but Kahn Fotuali'i looks to be a more likely replacement if Berquist goes down.

 

[Seaton]

'Mon the Crusaders

 

[d1e1m]

While Carter being out would be a blow for most teams, I don't think he'll be missed except for his kicking ability (which Berquist is no slouch at himself) and his presence that draws defenders (Berquist doesn't have this at Super RUgby level). This year Carters been able to take it pretty easy with his runs and movement, with most of the workload being put in by the backs, and as long as Berquist can copy Carters restarts and 22s, this should be a 15+ win for them, not that I think the Bulls won't score their fair share of points.

I don't think Pretorius and Olivier are the ideal pairing to counter SBW and Fruean and I can see Hougaard doing a lot of cover work like he loves to do. The Crusaders backs definitely look stronger while the Forwards look fairly well matched, with the Bulls having the edge in the loose. Hopefully Read can exert himself more than he did against the Sharks but he's allowed a bum game every now and then. The Bulls will probably prefer to see Ben at tighthead than his brother considering the kind of form Owen but I think the Crusaders might edge the scrum with the Bulls being without stalwart Steenkamp.

Not surprised Wheelers not in front of Poff in the lineup, I think they're grooming him into more of an all around forward like Read while Romano is imho a typical Lock. No worries though, WHeeler will get his chance against weaker teams with a look to be consistently in the squad next year.

 

[Darwin]

I would love to see Dagg in the 10 jersey as i think he has all the attributes to be a great player in that position, but Kahn Fotuali'i looks to be a more likely replacement if Berquist goes down.

True, forgot about Fotuali'i. It will be interesting to see what they do is Berquist does go down - Fotuali'i has obviously got more experience at 10 than Dagg, but the Crusaders have used Dagg at first receiver quite a lot throughout the season (as he was used for the Highlanders)... I think they probably will use Fotuali'i, but they might be tempted to experiment with Dagg, as he could have a future at first-five...

 

[dan the man]

Let SBW have a crack at First-Five lol

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Let SBW have a crack at First-Five lol

That would go about as well as the time the Reds trialed Digby Ioane at fullback.....

 

[Bossco]

Bit like the Bulls or SA without FDP.

Bulls are playing pretty ugly uninspiring rugby atm so will be interesting and maybe a bit of a precursor to how the two differing styles will match up at WC time as well.

Think the scoreline will be relatively close and respectable for the Bulls but only due to the boot of Steyn.

 

[d1e1m]

Bit like the Bulls or SA without FDP.

Bulls are playing pretty ugly uninspiring rugby atm so will be interesting and maybe a bit of a precursor to how the two differing styles will match up at WC time as well.

Think the scoreline will be relatively close and respectable for the Bulls but only due to the boot of Steyn.

Would not be wrong to say that M Steyn has been the greatest factor in Bulls scorelines these recent seasons, unless of course they're playing the Chiefs , whereupon their try-scoring prowess reveals itself.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I think the Crusaders will take this one.

 

[ranger]

True, forgot about Fotuali'i. It will be interesting to see what they do is Berquist does go down - Fotuali'i has obviously got more experience at 10 than Dagg, but the Crusaders have used Dagg at first receiver quite a lot throughout the season (as he was used for the Highlanders)... I think they probably will use Fotuali'i, but they might be tempted to experiment with Dagg, as he could have a future at first-five...

It would be great for NZ rugby. I really think Dagg could take over from Carter as NZs next world class first five, it makes so much sense especially with the depth at fullback we have.. For some reason though i can't see Dagg agreeing to the switch, he seems like the kind of guy that wants to run around with the pill and isnt after the responsibility that comes with the 10 jersey.

 

[Tinus]

Obviously Dan is a great loss for the 'Saders and Sam Whitelock isn't playing bad at all, but with SBW and Fruean there's enough power and creativity to win this one. Don't think Matt is gonna fail on nr. 10. He's not Dan Carter but Crusaders is more then Dan Carter.

Crusaders win by 10 points...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Booo, just bought Dan Carter for my fantasy team before seeing this

As above, I think Crusaders team has enough class to function to a high standard without Carter at the helm

 

[Charles]

Booo, just bought Dan Carter for my fantasy team before seeing this

As above, I think Crusaders team has enough class to function to a high standard without Carter at the helm

Hehe, I do all my fantasy buying on friday morning...

 

[JJR]

Go Bulle!!! Without Carter's kicking game the Saders could struggle against a Bulls Pack and halfback pairing that are moving back to form.

 

[Amobokoboko]

We will see who will take over the 10 jersey next year.

 

[Seaton]

Go Bulle!!! Without Carter's kicking game the Saders could struggle against a Bulls Pack and halfback pairing that are moving back to form.

I hope you're away to wash your mouth out with soap

Good grief, a Sharks supporter wanting the Bulls to win?


Weir all DOOOOOOOOOMED!!!

WI agree with Amoboko(x2) that it would be most interesting to see who replaces Carter if he leaves for Frogland

 

[JJR]

I hope you're away to wash your mouth out with soap

Good grief, a Sharks supporter wanting the Bulls to win?


Weir all DOOOOOOOOOMED!!!

WI agree with Amoboko(x2) that it would be most interesting to see who replaces Carter if he leaves for Frogland

The first time i have ver said that...i just supporting SA over New Zealand...will be a good mental plus if Bulls can beat Saders in New Zealand; i mean we are playing world cup in New Zealand later this year. I think Bokke should meet All Blacks in the Semi's...Aus should end up in the final looking at the road they have to take...easy one. At Least we play in Auckland...many Expats from SA livin there.