Week 3: Crusaders v Waratahs

[Darwin]

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Really looking forward to this match. Both teams have been named:

Crusaders: (http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/69727/sbw-to-start-for-crusaders-against-waratahs)
1. Wyatt Crockett; 2. Corey Flynn; 3. Owen Franks; 4. Brad Thorn; 5. Sam Whitelock; 6. George Whitelock; 7. Matt Todd; 8. Kieran Read (Capt); 9. Andy Ellis; 10. Daniel Carter; 11. Adam Whitelock; 12. Sonny Bill Williams; 13. Robbie Fruean; 14. Sean Maitland; 15. Israel Dagg
Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald; 17. Ben Franks; 18. Chris Jack; 19. Jonathan Poff; 20. Willi Heinz; 21. Matt Berquist; 22. Tom Marshall

Waratahs: (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...-crusaders-clash/story-fn6atwd0-1226014165127)
Kurtley Beale; Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Drew Mitchell; Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess; Ben Mowen, Phil Waugh (c), Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu.
Interchange: Damien Fitzpatrick, Benn Robinson, Sitaleki Timani, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Ryan Cross, Afa Pakalani, Pat O'Connor

No surprises in the Crusaders lineup with SBW back to form a very dangerous midfield with Fruean. Adam Whitelock shifts to the wing, as Guildford is still injured. Great to see Quentin MacDonald back on the Crusaders bench covering hooker.

One major change for the Tahs, with Halangahu replacing Barnes, who is out with concussion. Barnes is a huge loss, not only as he controls the game well, but his strong defense would have really helped contain the likes of Carter, SBW, and Fruean. Interesting to see Phil Waugh playing despite a ruptured bicep!

Really hard to predict the result of this game. I'll go for the Crusaders by 3, but I think it's really 50/50…

 

[smartcooky]

Crusaders v Waratahs in Nelson

This is looking like a sell-out

Tickets went on sale to the public on Tuesday morning; the old east stand and the new west stand are sold out already. The temporary south stand is nearly all gone and the embankment tickets are selling fast.

Just spoke to Dion Mytton, a former Nelson Bays player, and he said they were hoping for 15,000.... (the ground's basic capacity is 12,000 out of season)

 

[Draggs]

That SBW and Fruean midfield partnership will be very interesting.
Shame about Barnes out, he is a quality player.
This is a tough one to call, but I think the Crusaders will edge it.

Any idea when Guildford will be back? He seems to be a sharp wing with a good future.

 

[Darwin]

That SBW and Fruean midfield partnership will be very interesting.
Shame about Barnes out, he is a quality player.
This is a tough one to call, but I think the Crusaders will edge it.

Any idea when Guildford will be back? He seems to be a sharp wing with a good future.

Not sure when Guildford will be back - he damaged his hamstring in a pre-season match against the Highlanders about a month ago. I'd expect he will be back within the next few weeks, as his injury was not considered that bad (though it is had to tell how hamstring injuries will heal...)

 

[dan the man]

I'm guessing the Crusaders will come out firing... I'm picking the Crusaders by 13+ but it's very hard to know considering whats been happening in Chch over the past week...

 

[donmcdazzle]

Adam Whitelock on the wing? Jeez must be struggling for outside backs.

If the Crusaders play like they did against the Blues they'll lose, Waratahs are a sharp outfit. I think Waratahs have to be favourites just based on the fact they've won two out of two and the Crusaders will be a bit rusty after all the disruptions they've had.

 

[Draggs]

Not sure when Guildford will be back - he damaged his hamstring in a pre-season match against the Highlanders about a month ago. I'd expect he will be back within the next few weeks, as his injury was not considered that bad (though it is had to tell how hamstring injuries will heal...)

Yeah, hamstrings can be tricky. I've not seen much of Adam Whitelock, but he is worht picking for his name alone. Hopefully Luke will be playing with the rest of them soon.
The 'tahs have looked strong so far, but I have to go with the Crusaders despite their loss against the Blues.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This has the potential to be one of the best games of the season,
Cannot wait!

 

[Darwin]

Adam Whitelock on the wing? Jeez must be struggling for outside backs.

If the Crusaders play like they did against the Blues they'll lose, Waratahs are a sharp outfit. I think Waratahs have to be favourites just based on the fact they've won two out of two and the Crusaders will be a bit rusty after all the disruptions they've had.

The Crusaders are struggling for outside back options. It's there own fault really, as they only picked two wingers in there original 32-man squad (Maitland and Guildford) - I bet they are regretting not including Kade Poki now! Umuga-Marshall (from the wider training group) started in the first game, but he's now injured too... Despite not being a specialist wing, Adam Whitelock should do a good job, as he has played on the wing a number of times for the Crusaders (and been effective there too..).

 

[Larksea]

I think Adam Whitelock is really underrated, I was hoping to see the highlanders pick him up this year and have him as a first choice wing.

Hope the crucaders have an awesome win and give the sheep shaggers something to smile about.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I think Adam Whitelock is really underrated, I was hoping to see the highlanders pick him up this year and have him as a first choice wing.

Hope the crucaders have an awesome win and give the sheep shaggers something to smile about.

But he isn't even a winger? He is a second five first and foremost. He is one of those guys I guess that won't win you a game but he won't lose one either, Crusaders have a history of guys like that (Ralph, Hamilton, Hamish Gard to name a few). Hope he doesn't get caught trying to cover Mitchell or Turner cause he is a lot slower than them.

 

[TRF_RC]

This game is gonna be a cracker!
Crusaders will be looking to dig their feet and really get back into the season after that unfortunate unexpected break, but they're coming up against the best team in the Super 15 right now.
Waratahs are on a serious role, getting 2 bonus points wins in 2 games. That's provided them with huge momentum, it'll be a tough game for Crusaders if you ask me.

 

[kbourke88]

Crusaders will have to put a stop on the momentum that the forward pack is giving the Tahs at the moment. We are getting a lot of positive ball out to the backs. Crusaders will challenge the tahs defence more than rebels and reds have so far, but tahs defensive structure this year has been brilliant. Hopefully we dont choke, because I see tahs as favourites in this game for sure...

Hangers presents a very similar product to Barnes at 10, obviously not as top class, but stuctured, can tackle and kick well. He's also a great goalkicker.
Waugh is a nut for playing, but he will make a difference to the aggresiveness which we will need to get over.

Very excited for this game

 

[lance2010]

Very hard game to pick... Waratahs form is top notch but their playing the Crusaders,SBW should run at Halangahu and test his defence.Im actually leaning towards Tahs for this game.

 

[Shaggy]

Good to see the Old hometown supporting the Crusaders so far - i'm picking a win to the Crusaders, as the Waratahs don't seem to do that well in NZ.

... good to see Tom Marshall in the reserves for the crusaders, he is a Tasman Makos player, so he will be playing on his home ground if he gets on - he was also in the NZ U20's world champion side last year

 

[Sam Owen]

... good to see Tom Marshall in the reserves for the crusaders, he is a Tasman Makos player, so he will be playing on his home ground if he gets on - he was also in the NZ U20's world champion side last year

Yeah him and his brother showed some good attack in last years ITM cup. I think hes the better of the 2 Tom is, good player.

 

[cyRil]

Should be a stonking game!
Barnes out may not be as sorely missed as people make out - he started like a house on fire against the Reds, but then was very mediocre and missed a good few chances.
I'll be writing a match report for this one, so if you miss it you can read about it here!

If you didn't see the 'Tahs v Reds game; http://cyrilsplace.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/war-like-tahs-smash-rusty-reds/

 

[Gavin]

Seven minutes gone, SBW has got the ball three times and either thrown a pass on the floor or an offload which when 5m behind its target. He was so bad when he got the ball the 4th time (and actually passed it properly and it made it to the next man) a cheer went up from the crowd. 5-3 to Tah's atm. Good game so far.

 

[JJR]

The song "Brothers in arms" that they played just before kickoff and the Kit is almost a exact copy of the high school i went to...Michaelhouse...actually thought i might be watching a MHS/Hilton derby...great memories.

 

[Charles]

Seven minutes gone, SBW has got the ball three times and either thrown a pass on the floor or an offload which when 5m behind its target. He was so bad when he got the ball the 4th time (and actually passed it properly and it made it to the next man) a cheer went up from the crowd. 5-3 to Tah's atm. Good game so far.

Early nerves by SBW...

The Tahs are getting creamed...