Super Rugby: Stormers vs. Crusaders in Cape Town (30/03/2013)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Newlands, Cape Town

Other matches this weekend:

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...y-Highlanders-vs-Reds-in-Dunedin-(29-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...urricanes-vs-Kings-in-Wellington-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...iefs-vs-Blues-in-Mount-Maunganui-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...by-Brumbies-vs-Bulls-in-Canberra-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...eetahs-vs-Rebels-in-Bloemfontein-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...ugby-Waratahs-vs-Force-in-Sydney-(31-03-2013)

BYE

 

[Darwin]

This will be a massive challenge for the Crusaders, especially considering they are missing the best player in the world (and Carter... and McCaw). There is also an injury cloud over Owen Franks, while Israel Dagg missed last weekends match, so isn't a certain starter.

There probably aren't that many decisions the selectors have to make considering the injuries. I would predict a lineup of:
1. Crockett, 2. Flynn, 3. O Franks, 4. Romano, 5. S Whitelock, 6. G Whitelock, 7. Todd, 8. L Whitelock, 9. Eliis, 10. Bleyendaal, 11. Guildford, 12. Crotty, 13. Fruean, 14. McNicholl, 15. Dagg
16. Funnell, 17. Moody, 18. Bird, 19. Taufua/Christie, 20. Heinz, 21. Taylor (if fit, otherwise A Whitelock), 22. Marshall

Personally I would prefer to start Bird over Romano, as Bird has really impressed me this season. I would also be tempted to give Christie a start at 7. Todd has been playing well, but always seems to struggle against big physical South African packs, hence I feel Christie's physical presence will be handy here. I would also start Taufua at 8, but I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself! After last week I wouldn't have Guildford in the starting lineup, but I'm sure the Crusaders selectors will give him another start...

 

[SomeOke]

Hmmm very big game, Stormers looked good-ish last week but I wasn't entirely convinced by their performance at all, to many handling errors, missed tackles and THREE kicking the ball out on the full. I feel like we just need to polish some areas of our game and we are going to be very very dangerous, for now I don't have all that much confidence.

That said Crusaders are missing their big three (Carter, Read, McCaw) and although the team still looks really good, at home I would even go so far as to say we are marginal favourites. I think the Stormers presence in the collisions is going to be too much for the Crusaders, and they are going to struggle to find a way through without their magic creating players like Carter and Read. Anything can happen but I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think the Stormers are definite favourites going into this match, can't imagine anything except a win for them. Off the top of my head, the Stormers are one of the few teams the Crusaders have struggled with over the last few years (alongside the Force ).

 

[Gena_ZA]

If the Stormers can keep the momentum they can take this one.
Half of the drunken Capies will support the Crusaders and after the match fornicate with relatives, we just have to live with them from a SA point of view and give them less attention I suppose

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think the Stormers are definite favourites going into this match, can't imagine anything except a win for them. Off the top of my head, the Stormers are one of the few teams the Crusaders have struggled with over the last few years (alongside the Force ).

Huh? Am I missing something?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Don't worry. A week later they play their favorite opponent, the Sharks. We never do well against the Crusaders.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I'm supporting the Crusaders here. They have a winning spirit.

 

[Tekadus7]

Its one of the few games of the year I don't mind the Crusaders winning. But... I think Stormers by 3

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Stormers
15. Joe Pietersen , 14. Gio Aplon , 13. Juan de Jongh , 12. Jean de Villiers (captain) , 11. Gerhard van den Heever , 10. Elton Jantjies , 9. Dewaldt Duvenage , 8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain) , 7. Rynhardt Elstadt , 6. Siya Kolisi , 5. Andries Bekker , 4. De Kock Steenkamp , 3. Frans Malherbe , 2. Deon Fourie , 1. Pat Cilliers
Reserves: , 16. Martin Bezuidenhout , 17. Brok Harris , 18. Don Armand , 19. Nizaam Carr , 20. Nic Groom , 21. Damian de Allende , 22. Jaco Taute

Wonder when we'll be puting a teamsheat forward that doesn't have 5 to 7 frontline players out.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Good to see the people rewarded for having good games and overrated Taute not just walking into the starting lineup
Pat must shape up

 

[Darwin]

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock (c), 7. Matt Todd, 8. Luke Whitelock, 9. Willi Heinz, 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 11. Johnny McNicholl, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Tom Marshall, 15. Israel Dagg.
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Dominic Bird, 19. Jordan Taufua, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Adam Whitelock, 22. Zac Guildford.

Pretty much as expected, with Luke Whitelock and Bleyendaal replacing Read and Carter in the starting lineup, and Dagg returning at fullback. Slightly surprised to see Heinz starting again at halfback, but he did have a fantastic match last weekend, and Ellis is apparently covering 9 and 10 from the bench. I'm happy to see Guildford dropping back to the bench, with Tom Marshall shifting to the wing, as Marshall has impressed over the last two weeks. I can't wait to see Taufua unleashed on a tiring Stormers pack with 20 to go

 

[daveypnz]

Don't see how the saders stand a chance without read and carter.

 

[sifplay]

This is a home game for both teams. The Stormers vs The Cape Crusaders. Should be a cracking one.

 

[Gena_ZA]

I am a bit worried about the Stormers 1 and 2 when it comes to scrumming strength but then again Fourie is a second fetcher in the loose
Brok Harris, although not a favorited of many is a good enough scrummer for the 2nd half

 

[sifplay]

I am a bit worried about the Stormers 1 and 2 when it comes to scrumming strength but then again Fourie is a second fetcher in the loose
Brok Harris, although not a favorited of many is a good enough scrummer for the 2nd half

Brok Harris standing at 10 throwing those reverse torpedo passes when he is needed upfront securing ruck ball. Which Fourie the squint hooker or dynamic loosie?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Don't see how the saders stand a chance without read and carter.

Attack our set-pieces which will be pathetic; Fourie is throwing into the line-outs and just take a gander at our 'tight' five.

TBH I'd be very surprised if we won carrying the injuries we are currently and playing an away game to a very good side (even with some stars missing as we are too; Habana, Burger, Elstadt and key front rowers). I'm gonna be attending so hopefully I get pleasantly surprised.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Bleyendaal is yet to really control a game from first five - I'd be a bit worried if he was the lynch pin of my team. If Tom Taylor was playing at flyhalf it might be different story. Read missing too will make it even harder. He's one of the prime go forward getters for the Crusaders - Luke Whitelock isn't a huge bloke.

I'd definitely be putting my money on the Stormers at home.

 

[Darwin]

Personally I think the Stormers should start the game as favourites, but I suspect it will be a close game. I have a bit of time for Bleyendaal, and this is his big chance to show he is good enough for this level. The Crusaders have enough firepower out wide, they just need to be able to create some space for them!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Dagg out injured, Guildford comes onto the wing with Marshall moving to fullback. Christie comes onto the bench, so it's a 5-2 split.