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[2015 Super Rugby] Crusaders vs. Highlanders (Round 9) 11/04/2015

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AMI Stadium, Christchurch
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19h35 Local time (NZ, GMT +13)
 
I might be going crazy, but that link takes me to the Crusaders side that was named for the Bulls match?
 
That's all good :P I was hoping like hell they weren't going to rest Todd or Slade for an opportunity to move into third!
 
Right, Got the correct team for the Crusaders this time - Carter and McCaw are both on the bench

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/new...rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Crusaders:
Israel Dagg, David Havili, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Jimmy Tupou, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Richie McCaw, Mitchell Drummond, Dan Carter, Nafi Tuitavake
 
Happy with the team that was put out. It'll be interesting to see more of Tupou. Romano had played over 500 minutes in 7 matches going into this, so he was probably due a break. Not crazy about David Havili tbh, but I'd rather him be on the wing if it means Fonotia can be in the midfield. Tom Taylor is a good player, but he does pass a lot which might contribute to the 'side to side' illness our backline seems to have. Fonotia just adds a touch of flair.

Important game to win, and I think we will if we aren't too exhausted from the South African leg. It's cliche as all hell, but keys are patience and execution. Against the Bulls, we simply did not execute. Against the Sharks we did. Passes were thrown well, and went where they were meant to. We might be able to gain a few meters out wide considering Osborne's tackling stats are 59%. Will need to keep an eye on Fekitoa, Sopoaga and Ben Smith. The usual suspects who cause trouble!
 
Yeah well if the Saders forwards turn up they'll take this relatively easily. Im sure the highlanders backs will try throw a spanner in that though.
 
Try ! Well worked. Great break from slade. Which no 10 will remain behind for the World Cup ? Dan Carter ?
 
Try ! Well worked. Great break from slade. Which no 10 will remain behind for the World Cup ? Dan Carter ?

Carter is going to have to pull finger bigtime over the next couple months I reckon. If it continues the way its going I honestly dont see how they can select him (other than a water boys job) when we could take someone else to prepare for the future like the young chiefs 10/15.

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Christ, Nadolo and the Saders forwards working together is just about unstoppable. Could be a long night for the landers now.
 
The Crusaders have been very impressive so far. Good handling skills, power and pace.
 
Try from nothing for the Highlanders gives them a chance atleast. Sopoaga has been pretty decent this year he seems to be picking these gaps really well.
 
That was incredibly dumb by A. Smith

He's been making a habit of being dumb for the Highlanders for about 3 years so that is nothing new. I honestly dont see why they dont play Tanaka more sometimes.

Naholo read that play like a book for the intercept. Pretty impressive really that he managed to pull that intercept off as it was probably a try at the other end if he didnt.

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I agree with Marshall again whats the difference between that Fekitoa no try and every other double movement thats happened recently?


Man they've scored anyway. Could the highlanders be about to pull off the impossible? When was the last time they won against the Saders at home?
 
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Theres something just wrong with how the Crusaders go about attacking space in the backline. Its either the players arent good enough or they are being coached by a complete moron. Im thinking its a bit of both.
 
Crusaders had so much ball to win that but did stuff all really. Im really surprised the Highlanders pulled through on that one. Not sure what to make of it really.

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Thats a pretty big victory for the Highlanders in the scope of the competition. Should give them some real belief to knock some other sides over away from home.
 
Theres something just wrong with how the Crusaders go about attacking space in the backline. Its either the players arent good enough or they are being coached by a complete moron. Im thinking its a bit of both.

It's the way they're being coached for the most part. Under Daryl Gibson this sort of unimaginative, impatient, side-side repetitive stuff wasn't happening; granted, it was a different era. But we let a hell of a backline coach go because of what Blackadder wanted to do with him.

I also think we lack an extra punch somethings. A Robbie Fruean of old in the midfield perhaps? But that was just a sloppy effort all round tonight unfortunately. There were a lot of people doing a lot of silly things. But the Highlanders have tipped up some good teams this year, they deserve credit.

Disappointing as this would have been a golden opportunity to move into 3rd and slowly climb the ladder in a competitive conference. We have the Chiefs next week, so it doesn't get any easier.
 
You just know if Deans was coaching this lot they wouldnt be 4 and 4 at this stage in the comp with the players they have available.

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The thing I was probalby most surprised about was how the scrums were relatively even the Saders got the better of them for the later half of the match but the Highlanders pack did alright and im sure they stole a bit of lineout ball and other things aswell.

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Im hoping for a Hurricanes vs Highlanders final from here out. It would be Epic imo. The highlanders games are some of the best to watch in the comp imo.
 

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