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Super 15: Crusaders - Hurricanes @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington(18-06-2011, 08:35 GMT)

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Westpac Stadium, Wellington (18-06-2011, 08:35 GMT)
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While this match is in Wellington it is technically a Crusaders home game due to the cancellation of the Round Two match between these sides and the teams have therefore not actually played each other yet this season.

The Crusaders moved the match to Wellington giving their opposition home advantage.

Surprisingly the last two matches between the teams have been called a draw after the most recent one in February was cancelled.

The most recent victory was a Hurricanes 24-30 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch back in 2009 but the seven matches before that were all won by the Crusaders.

Overall the Crusaders have a strong record against the Hurricanes as they have played them 20 times and won 13 times.

In Crusaders away matches (Wellington, Napier and New Plymouth) the teams have met each other nine times and the Crusaders have won 5.

When these teams meet the Crusaders score 28 points on average and the Hurricanes score 19 points against the Crusaders on average.

When the Crusaders are away from home they score 26 points against the Hurricanes on average and the Hurricanes score 18 points.

If the Crusaders win with a bonus point they can overtake the Stormers if the Cheetahs upset the Stormers. That result would give the Crusaders a bye next week and home advantage in their play off.

If both the Crusaders and the Stormers win their matches but the Stormers win without a bonus point and the Crusaders do win with a bonus point they still cannot overtake the Stormers as they would have one less win.

If the Stormers take two points through a draw or a loss within seven points and score four tries the Crusaders will need a win to overtake the Stormers.

As is always the case with the final weekend in the regular season the Stormers will know well before what they have to do to secure the top or second place as they play last.

For the last five years the Bulls have used this to great effect and is a huge advantage for the South Africans. This year the Stormers have the last match.

The Crusaders will have no option but to go for the victory and hope that the Cheetahs upset the Stormers.

In team selections the Crusaders were unable to name Sonny Bill Williams in the match robbing everyone of the clash between him and Ma'a Nonu.

source: superxv.com


Last five results:
26 Feb 2011 Crusaders v Hurricanes 0-0 Wellington (*Match was cancelled due to the earthquake earlier that week in Christchurch*)
02 Apr 2010 Crusaders v Hurricanes 26-26 Wellington
27 Feb 2009 Crusaders v Hurricanes 24-30 Christchurch
24 May 2008 (Semi) Crusaders v Hurricanes 33-22 Christchurch
28 Mar 2008 Crusaders v Hurricanes 20-13 Wellington


Crusaders overall record against the Hurricanes.
Played 20 , Wins 13, Losses 4 , Draws 3

Match Officials:
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro, Shane McDermott
Television match official: Richard Kelly

Teams

Crusaders: 1. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Brent Ward, 15. Tom Marshall

16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Matt Berquist, 22. Tu Umaga-Marshall

Hurricanes:1. John Schwalger, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. James Broadhurst, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Victor Vito, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Alapati Leiua, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Cory Jane

Reserves:16. Laurence Corlett, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Jason Eaton, 19. Mark Reddish , 20. Chris Eaton, 21. Jayden Hayward, 22. Richard Buckman



<a href="http://winbetting.at/therugbyforum?CTY=1&amp;CID=15908"><img src="http://b1.perfb.com/b1.php?ID=15908&amp;PURL=winbetting.at/therugbyforum" border="0" /></a>

*Vbookie odds supplied by BWIN*
 
A tricky game for the Crusaders against a Canes team that seems to be coming right at the end of the season. The Crusaders need to win to secure a home playoff next week, or possibly even a week off if the Stormers lose. It's disappointing the SBW is out injured for this match, as his matchup with Nonu has been anticipated all season, especially after the first match between the Canes and Crusaders was cancelled.

I'm expecting the Crusaders to again dominate up front, with Cory Flynn in particular wanting to have a strong match, as he' probably still in a battle with Hika Elliot for the third hooker spot in the AB's RWC squad. The loose-forward battle should be good, with both Matt Todd and Victor Vito both needed strong games to continue to push their claims for AB's selection.

I'm hoping Weepu continues to show improvement, though he is going to have to keep a close eye on Andy Ellis. Cruden needs to have another strong game, as there are a few whispers that he is firmly in the AB's frame, and I'm sure a big game against the best in the business will help his cause! It's unfortunate that Conrad Smith is still out injured, as while Leiua is a good player his first instinct seems to be to have a go, rather than fed his outsides. The Canes will want to get the ball to Hosea Gear as much as possibly; he's started to look dangerous over recent weeks, and I don't think Brent Ward will be able to contain him. I'm sure the Crusaders will try to put a lot of pressure on Julian Savea, though Savea did have a largely error free game last week. It will be interesting to see if Zac Guildford can continue to show his exceptional form; personally I'm picking him to score another two tries...

Overall I'm picking it might be quite a close match (particularly if the weather is poor, as is forecast), but I'm picking the Crusaders to take it by 5-10 points.
 
I also think the Cruaders will have the slight advantage of winning this game.
 
Yeah really looking forward to this match, a shame SBW is out but there's still quality all over the park.
It's also the end of an era. A lot of rebuilding to do over the next few seasons. Will be there with my face paint on.. Go the CANES!!!
 
Tialata just SMASHED Owen Franks. What a cracking first up tackle!
Come one Canes!
 
Nonu making a great start to the game.
Showing them what's what for his last game for the Canes.
 
Haha! Andrew Hoare just asked the referee "Are you not allowed to tackle Carter?" after Canes were penalised for a late tackle on him.
Brilliant!
 
Lol, Andrew Hore with a little unsubtle diplomacy there

Been a fair downpour around New Zealand of late I take it? Chiefs vs. Reds it was ******* with rain, and IIRC, the Blues vs. Highlanders match yesterday was fairly wet as well
These last few games haven't been very pretty this season
 
Canes looking more threatening that Saders right now, but the attacks are leading to nothing right now. A little impotent.
 
Brilliant from Guildford!... and from Carter....
 
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Great atmosphere here!
 

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Hate to say it, but on form Andy Ellis has to be included in the RWC squad....

Geez the Canes are getting murdered in the scrum!
 
Great tackle by Tom Marshall on Cruden.
It seems Savea's reverted back to his old self after looking good last week.

What a drop goal from Ellis!!!!
 
Why don't they do Man of the Match awards?
Carter and McCaw are just so sick of getting them.....

Good win by the Crusaders, securing them top spot in the NZ conference.

Ellis was outstanding all match, he was getting huge distance on his punts, was doing the basics well, and even managed to pull of some strong tackles. As much as I rate Alby Mathewson, you would have to think that Ellis has secured his spot in the AB's squad with his form this season. Tom Marshall looked dangerous at fullback, but still makes some basic errors. His try saving tackle on Cruden was brilliant. As usual Guildford had a busy game, and the try that he brilliantly setup for Fruean ended up being the difference between two teams.

It was great to see Tialata have a strong game for the Canes in his last match. He was powerful with the ball in hand and made a couple of huge hits on defense. If he could play like that every match he would be a world class prop. It was also good to see Weepu continue to show improvement, and I thought both Cruden and Nonu had good matches; I'm getting more convinced that the AB's selectors will pick Cruden to backup Carter in the Tri-nations. Savea reverted back to his clumsy self after a near faultless performance last week. I was happy to see Cory Jane getting much more involved from the back; he looked quite dangerous at times.
 
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Shouldn't the Crusaders have aimed at a bonus point win? That could've helped them finish 2nd in the table... They kicked to goal more than necessary IMO
 
Why don't they do Man of the Match awards?

They did. Ellis for the Crusaders and Nonu for the Hurricanes.

Great tackle by Tom Marshall on Cruden.
It seems Savea's reverted back to his old self after looking good last week.

What a drop goal from Ellis!!!!

I think Savea needs a lot of time and patience. His handling and defence is woeful but anyone can see his obvious talent. It has not been a good year to be a Hurricans and I reckon he will take his frustrations out on a few ITM Cup teams.
 
Shouldn't the Crusaders have aimed at a bonus point win? That could've helped them finish 2nd in the table... They kicked to goal more than necessary IMO

It wouldn't have made any difference if the Crusaders got the bonus point or not. A bonus point would have put them on 62 points; if the Stormers win they too would be on 62 points, but would be ahead of the Crusaders as they won more games. If the Stormers only get 3 points from the Cheetahs match (4 tries in a drawn match) it would put them equal with the Crusaders, but the Crusaders will be ahead of them because of superior points differential. So in conclusion, if the Stormers win they will be ahead of the Crusaders, or if they lose/draw they would be behind the Crusaders, regardless of whether the Crusaders got a bonus point of not....

The Crusaders first priority was (rightly) to win the match; if they hadn't kicked their penalties they may well have lost, as they only won by 7. There was only one try scored in the whole match from counterattack on halfway, so it wasn't as if try scoring was easy either.
 
It wouldn't have made any difference if the Crusaders got the bonus point or not. A bonus point would have put them on 62 points; if the Stormers win they too would be on 62 points, but would be ahead of the Crusaders as they won more games.

Ok, I thought that if they were both on 62 points the Saders would be ahead on points difference. Wasn't aware of the win number rule. Thanks.
 

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