SuperRugby: Crusaders v Stormers. 14/04/2012

[SomeOke]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch - 07:35 GMT, 14/04/2012

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: Kane McBride (New Zealand


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Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Tom Marshall.


Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean De Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gio Aplon/ JP du Plessis.
​

 

[SomeOke]

Should be an extremely interesting match!
When I first started this season I said I would have accepted losing two away games, but 6 weeks in and I've gotten a bit greedy .

I won't be to upset if we do lose but I feel we have a decent chance coming into this.
Without looking at the teams the Stormers are coming off two very physical games not to mention travelling half-way across the world a week ago so there is definitely a chance of a bit of creaky limbs, also it's always hard playing in NZ.
However the Crusaders also come off of a bruising encounter and have had to return from their tour, so the advantage is somewhat negated.

As for the teams themselves it will always be a huge contest. Our front row might struggle a bit against the mighty and experienced front row of the Crusaders, but the forwards seem fairly even in other areas.

Todd Blackadder has chosen to play Dan Carter at inside a move which could prove to be a master-stroke considering our tendency to employ the rush outside-in defence. If our wings and centres move up to quickly it may create holes which the likes of Robbie Freun and Israel Dagg could exploit. On the other hand hopefully Allistair Coetze is aware this tactic is going to be used and has a game plan in mind.

Anything can happen, and as a Stormers fan I won't actually be that upset if we do lose but either way it promises to be a great contest!

 

[Draggs]

Carter at 12 for Taylor at 10?
Very interesting selection. Really looking forward to this one, finally get to see a bit of van den Heever.

Don't know what the Stormers have done in the off season, but so much for a 'lightweight' pack.
'

 

[Sker]

I'm really curious to see Carter at 12, should be an interesting midfield battle. I still think JdV is past it though. Is this the first or second time Elstadt is playing at 7?

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm really curious to see Carter at 12, should be an interesting midfield battle. I still think JdV is past it though. Is this the first or second time Elstadt is playing at 7?

It will be his 3rd start this year at 7... He played in that position vs. the Bulls and Highlanders the previous 2 weeks.

My guess for Carter going back to 12 (which Taylor also can play) is that last week vs. the Bulls his kicking was a bit crappy (thankyou) and he just came back from a groin injury and maybe he's still nursing it a bit and at 10 you do a lot more kicking than at 12

 

[austingtir]

Wow more ridiculous refereeing whats going on!? Yellow for that tackle is just crazy.

Then another technical one at the lineout crusaders pulling away..... the stormers formed a maul without any crusaders attached before that!!!

 

[SomeOke]

Bekker and Etzebeth off, both our locks, looks like our long string of no injuries is finally catching up with us.
Crusaders definitely the better team so far as well.

 

[admartian]

Shouldn't have been a try.

Went forward to Habana.

And Justin Marshall tries too hard to not be biased, that he ends up being annoying and nonsensical.

 

[austingtir]

Yeah are the SA teams playing gridiron now? Sharks game yesterday had the same thing. Was a great try other than that bullcrap though.... they never would of scored if it handnt gone forward imo.

 

[admartian]

Yeah are the SA teams playing gridiron now? Sharks game yesterday had the same thing. Was a great try other than that bullcrap though.... they never would of scored if it handnt gone forward imo.

Yeah, I heard the Browns are interested in drafting an SA player at the number 4 overall pick later this month.

Seriously though, it's ridiculous how forward passes/knock-ons have bitten NZ teams in the past (2*ahem* 2007 *ahem*). It's almost funny at this rate.

 

[austingtir]

Well another bullshit yellow card... but justice i guess.

 

[admartian]

Well another bullshit yellow card... but justice i guess.

Had to be called, but only because he had to stay consistent with the other one.

Had he not done that, then I doubt he would've been forced his hand.

 

[donmcdazzle]

2 of the softest yellow cards you will ever see.. At least he was consistently soft I guess. Stormers have the good tactic of killing the other teams momentum by giving away penalties. Pretty negative but effective and limits damage.

 

[admartian]

2 of the softest yellow cards you will ever see.. At least he was consistently soft I guess. Stormers have the good tactic of killing the other teams momentum by giving away penalties. Pretty negative but effective and limits damage.

Yep, based on traditional Bok teams of old.

I much prefer the Sharks and Cheetahs style of play - and it's effective too!

 

[austingtir]

Dagg has been utter rubbish so far this season. If ben smith isnt AB's fullback i'll be amazed.

Saders need to drop him imo they have plenty of depth.

 

[Hairy Scot]

Once again the hometown officials decide the game.

When will we ever get impartial and unbiased referees?

 

[SomeOke]

What can I say other than good game better team on the night won.

Injuries didn't help us but considering how lucky we've been thus far, and how badly some other teams have been effected it's only fair really. I did think the Stormers looked sharp on attack and defence but ill discipline let us down in the end, far to many penalties given away.

Anyway I'm obviously gutted about the defeat, but I'm not pessimistic about the Stormers yet, I never expected to win every game on tour and I'll settle for this result.

Great game, well played Crusaders.

 

[austingtir]

^^^LOL hairy scott theres been a pretty equal amount of ridiculous calls in this game. The stormers certainly got the rub of the green with a few. You cant tell me the crusaders werent the better team in this game.

 

[admartian]

Someone needs to change the thread title to Tom Taylor vs Stormers.


And no, both Yellows were stupid and _both_ teams suffered. So throw that $hit3 out of here. :lol:

 

[austingtir]

Yeah dan carter who? Carter is also a bit of baggage atm hopefully he comes right but i would like to see more of Tom taylor.