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Comeback kings Crusaders defy injuries to prevail, Highlanders also win at a cost
Crusaders defied a host of injury setbacks to pull off another magnificent comeback and maintain their 100 per cent start to the Super Rugby season with a thrilling 22-20 victory over Queensland Reds.
Scott Roberston’s men came from 21 points down to beat Highlanders last weekend and were again forced to rally from behind on Saturday after conceding the first 17 points.
To make matters worse, Crusaders saw All Blacks Israel Dagg and Seta Tamanivalu leave the field with injuries early on, along with Peter Samu.
Yet the visitors to Suncorp Stadium were nevertheless able to strike back, Bryn Hall’s second-half brace reducing the deficit to a solitary point before Mitch Hunt kicked a match-winning penalty after the hooter. Hall’s second try also came with Jordan Taufua in the sin bin for throwing a punch, albeit one that barely connected.
Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said: “We had some injuries, but the guys who came on really gave us something. I’m just really proud.”
James Slipper, captain of the beaten Reds, added: “It’s pretty gutting. We came here to win and put ourselves in a position to do that, but this Crusaders team, they proved it last week, they don’t give up.”
That was one heck of a nail biter! Come along next week when we are back at home v @BluesRugbyTeam for another exciting chapter! #REDvCRU pic.twitter.com/QYz6Tse1Rt
— BNZ Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) March 11, 2017
Highlanders were also forced to overcome the loss of two New Zealand internationals as they claimed a first win of the season, edging out Blues 16-12 with Malakai Fekitoa scoring the only try.
Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga each came off with hamstring injuries, to the despair of coach Tony Brown.
Brown was quoted by stuff.co.nz as saying: “It doesn’t look good. It looks like Lima will be out for a while; Waisake probably the same. Hamstrings don’t come right overnight so those guys are going to be tough to replace.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments