Super 15: Crusaders - Chiefs in Napier (21-05-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

McLean Park, Napier (21-05-2011 8:35 GMT)

The Crusaders will host the Chiefs in Napier. Can the Saders bounce back from their loss in Bloemfontein last week? They lost to the Ebersohn-twins (and a little bit to the rest of the Cheetahs team) after beating the Stormers a week earlier. With Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland and Adam Whitelock won't be playing for the Crusaders anymore this season. Dagg ruptured a tendon in his right thigh and had surgery yesterday while Sean Maitland's hospital visit is scheduled for wednesday (foot injury) while Adam Whitelock, who ruptured a muscle, was also worked on yesterday. All in all, the Crusaders miss almost an entire line up and things don't look so bright for the Christchurch franchise, who managed to beat the Chiefs earlier this season 16-34 in the Waikato area.

The Chiefs were responsible for 1 of 3 shockers last weekend when beating the Stormers. Can they do it again and cuase another upset? The 2009 finalists have only won in Canterbury once in Super Rugby (in 2007 they beat them 24-30) and in total they only managed to beat the Crusaders 4 times. Mils Muliaina played his 100th Super Rugby match last week and will be looking for another stunt this weekend.




2011 Chiefs 16-34 Crusaders
2010 Chiefs 19-26 Crusaders
2009 Crusaders 19-13 Chiefs
2008 Chiefs 18-5 Crusaders
2007 Crusaders 24-30 Chiefs
2006 Chiefs 19-25 Crusaders
2005 Crusaders 50-18 Chiefs
2004 Chiefs 15-36 Crusaders
2003 Crusaders 36-29 Chiefs
2002 Chiefs 27-34 Crusaders
2001 Crusaders 40-11 Chiefs
2000 Chiefs 24-27 Crusaders
1999 Crusaders 48-3 Chiefs
1998 Chiefs 25-23 Crusaders
1997 Crusaders 24-15 Chiefs
1996 Chiefs 27-26 Crusaders

 

[InsaneAsylum]

I've got my fingers crossed for the chiefs, they are starting to hit form and coming off a big win whereas the crusaders are depleted, coming off a loss and a return trip from the republic. Is donald fit? he hasn't looked 100% for a few weeks and if he doesn't play it might open up an opportunity for nanai-williams and/or mike delaney. also is carter back for the crusaders, as that will have a bearing on the result?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I can't deceide who to back; probably the Crusaders as I have a couple in fantasy rugby .

For the sake of my 2nd team, the Cheetahs, I hope the Crusaders win as they can move up the log ahead of the Chiefs still while I think the other teams are too far ahead though they could coceivibly still go higher.

For the Stormers' sake this game only has an effect if the Stormers were to go down below the Sharks (a very real possibility) in which case I hope the Chiefs put another dent in the Crusaders' march to the finals as we would then be competitors for a home semi-fianl spot.

 

[Sam Owen]

I've got my fingers crossed for the chiefs, they are starting to hit form and coming off a big win whereas the crusaders are depleted, coming off a loss and a return trip from the republic. Is donald fit? he hasn't looked 100% for a few weeks and if he doesn't play it might open up an opportunity for nanai-williams and/or mike delaney. also is carter back for the crusaders, as that will have a bearing on the result?

Carter played last week, scored a try but he didnt really spark like he does maybe thats due to the Cheetahs defence sensing victory. He went ok, I guess.

Be good to see Delaney and Nanai get some game time. Donald does look ok Im not sure if hes a 100%, not many pro-players play at a 100% anyway but he went ok last week also.

 

[Amobokoboko]

SBW is also out and DC and McCaw just coming back. If god is on our side we will win it.

 

[Seaton]

Mon the Chiefs, the further down the log the Crusaders are, the better the chance of another team winning the competition

 

[Amobokoboko]

As long a NZ franchise wins it I'm happy. Or the Cheetahs ;-)

 

[Shaggy]

SBW is also out and DC and McCaw just coming back. If god is on our side we will win it.

SBW may be available, Any Ellis needs another week, Kahn Fotuali'i two weeks, Dagg, Maitland, and Adam Whitelock to miss the rest of the Super season

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10726188

 

[Amobokoboko]

Don't forget he has his charity boxing game. Might take a week off to give his knee some rest.

 

[Darwin]

Quite looking forward to this match. I'm expecting the Crusaders to bounce back this week, but if we get some good weather it could be quite a high scoring game.

I'm hoping Nathan White will be back for the Chiefs; while Ben Afeaki has looked good around the field I feel he will struggle at scrum time against the strong Crusaders scrum (which will likely have Crockett back starting). Having Brad Thorn back is going to be huge for the Crusaders, and I'd expect that Matt Todd will get the start ahead of George Whitelock this week on the flank. If Todd does start it will be interesting to see whether he and McCaw play the traditional openside/blindside flanker roles (and who plays which role) or whether they play as left/right flankers. It will also be interesting to see what loose-trio the Chiefs pick, as Tuifua had a pretty ordinary (at best) debut last week, making quite a few basic errors. I'd like to see Sam Cane given the chance to start at 7, with Messem moving back to 6. It will be great to see how Messem goes against another quality loose-trio this week, as he has been dominant over the last few weeks.

I hope SBW does play. Last time the rushing Chiefs defense managed to neutralize SBW, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure this time. I'm hoping Kahui gets a bit of ball to run with this game too, as though he's looked fantastic on defense he hasn't been given many chances to use the pace and power we know he has. It should be a great battle out wide between Sivivatu (who looks to be getting back to top form), Masaga, Guildford, and Fruean... plenty of pace and power between those four!

 

[Larksea]

Chiefs really streatched the Crucaders last time and they are even stronger now. I actually want the crucaders to win though I'm a chiefs supporter. I just want 3 NZ teams in the finals and the chiefs have very little chance of making it. But this game will be really tough for the crucaders! having so many injuries and coming off a loss where they just didn't look themselves.

Chiefs chances hinge on Donald somewhat. Last week he showed what he can do when he has confidence even though he's not 100% and hasn't been since the back injury. Now he may be carrying a groin injury as well from the stormers game. Really needs to be fit going up against Dan carter.

 

[Tadginator]

If Donald plays then the chiefs will lose.

 

[TRF_woosaah]

*cringes every time i see Saders*

I think the Crusaders should walk over, even without sonny bill, we still have a pretty good backline, but yeah its starting to get a bit thin out there, but it brings in some other players who are more than capable of taking over.

 

[Amobokoboko]

When is Umaga coming back? Hope the Chiefs give a good fight.
Althi this season nothing is for granted.

 

[Larksea]

I've been wondering if maybe Umaga has played his last game. seems strange for him to pick up a small injury and end up out for weeks with no real update on his situation.

 

[Shaggy]

I've been wondering if maybe Umaga has played his last game. seems strange for him to pick up a small injury and end up out for weeks with no real update on his situation.

Me too - I thought that I heard he was fit again, just not getting selected

 

[Amobokoboko]

I hope he plays a couple more.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs team announced on the Chiefs website...

CHIEFS ANNOUNCE TEAM TO PLAY THE CRUSADERS

13th April 2011 10:20AM

The Chiefs have announced their team to take on the Crusaders for this Friday night's game in Tauranga. Gates will open at 4.45pm with the Mount Maunganui Sports Premier side taking on their local rivals the Te Puna Sports Premier side in the curtain raiser clash, with a kickoff of 5pm.


The team is travelling to Tauranga today and will be engaging their Franchise community by visiting three of the local colleges on Wednesday, taking part in a signing session at Bayfair on the Thursday from 4-6pm and visiting local businesses on the Friday morning.

Chiefs' Coach Ian Foster said "We have had a really solid week's preparation as we get ready for this game and then our two week tour. The Crusaders have a strong playing roster and are playing as well as I have seen them play and are no doubt very confident for this game. We are going to have to be strong and accurate in our play to combat them and we have focussed hard on that all week. We are looking forward to spending three days in the Bay and finishing off our preparation."

Sitiveni Sivivatu plays his 83rd game in the Chiefs' jersey and becomes the most capped Chief.
"It's an exciting moment for the Franchise having Siti celebrate this milestone and taking over from Michael Collins as our most capped Chief" commented Foster.

The Chiefs team to play the Crusaders, this Friday the 15th of April at 7.35pm:

1. Toby Smith
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Romana Graham
5. Isaac Ross
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Fritz Lee
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Mike Delany
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Nathan White
18. Craig Clarke
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Tana Umaga
22. Tim Nanai-Williams

Big blow for the Chiefs is that Donald is out for the game - Delany hasn't played at all in recent weeks, and Donald was starting to hit form. Umaga back on the bench, for those asking earlier. Waldrom and Latimer both back from injury.

 

[Darwin]

Chiefs team announced on the Chiefs website...

CHIEFS ANNOUNCE TEAM TO PLAY THE CRUSADERS

13th April 2011 10:20AM

The Chiefs have announced their team to take on the Crusaders for this Friday night's game in Tauranga. Gates will open at 4.45pm with the Mount Maunganui Sports Premier side taking on their local rivals the Te Puna Sports Premier side in the curtain raiser clash, with a kickoff of 5pm.


The team is travelling to Tauranga today and will be engaging their Franchise community by visiting three of the local colleges on Wednesday, taking part in a signing session at Bayfair on the Thursday from 4-6pm and visiting local businesses on the Friday morning.

Chiefs' Coach Ian Foster said "We have had a really solid week's preparation as we get ready for this game and then our two week tour. The Crusaders have a strong playing roster and are playing as well as I have seen them play and are no doubt very confident for this game. We are going to have to be strong and accurate in our play to combat them and we have focussed hard on that all week. We are looking forward to spending three days in the Bay and finishing off our preparation."

Sitiveni Sivivatu plays his 83rd game in the Chiefs' jersey and becomes the most capped Chief.
"It's an exciting moment for the Franchise having Siti celebrate this milestone and taking over from Michael Collins as our most capped Chief" commented Foster.

The Chiefs team to play the Crusaders, this Friday the 15th of April at 7.35pm:

1. Toby Smith
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Romana Graham
5. Isaac Ross
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Fritz Lee
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Mike Delany
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Nathan White
18. Craig Clarke
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Tana Umaga
22. Tim Nanai-Williams

Big blow for the Chiefs is that Donald is out for the game - Delany hasn't played at all in recent weeks, and Donald was starting to hit form. Umaga back on the bench, for those asking earlier. Waldrom and Latimer both back from injury.

Ummm, I think you will find that you have the article from the last time the Chiefs and Crusaders played, as it is dated 13th April....

Chiefs:
1. Sona Taumalolo
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke
5. Romana Graham
6. Liam Messam
7. Sam Cane
8. Fritz Lee
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga/ Tim Nanai-Williams
15. Mils Muliaina (Captain)

Reserves:
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Toby Smith
18. Culum Retallick
19. Taiasina Tuifua
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Tim Nanai-Williams/ Mike Delany
22. Jackson Willison

A couple of changes, with Cane coming into openside flanker and Messem back at 6, and Taumalolo replacing Toby Smith at loosehead. Masaga is bracket with Nanai-Williams, as he took a knock to his leg at training.

 

[Shaggy]

Wow, you guys are quick

... here's the Crusaders side as per the NZ Herald ... no SBW, Thorn maybe on the bench, Tu Umaga-Marshall on the bench, Brent Ward starting on the wing, Matt Todd injured so not in the team

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10726616

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Chris Jack, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Willi Heinz, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Brent Ward, 15. Tom Marshall.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn/Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff, Steve Alfeld, Matt Berquist, Tu Umaga-Marshall.