Crusaders swap one promising loose forward for another as Rebels clash looms
Such is the depth the Crusaders have at their disposal that the loss of an All Blacks loose forward shouldn’t considerably weaken the forward pack they’re able to field against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday evening.
While Cullen Grace will sit out this weekend after picking up a hip injury against the Western Force, the Crusaders can at least welcome back into the fold the highly promising Ethan Blackadder, who’s been sidelined due to concussion for the past two matches.
Whetukamokamo Douglas, who played on the blindside flank last week, will slot in at number 8 in Grace’s absence with Blackadder wearing No 6.
There are six further changes to the Crusaders lineup for their final match of the regular season, with a host of experienced All Blacks returning to the fold and one, Codie Taylor, being sidelined thanks to All Blacks rest protocols.
In the front row, George Bower and fit-again hooker Brodie McAlister take over from Tamaiti Williams and Taylor. Taylor has featured in every other match this year and started in every game except the Crusaders’ loss to the Chiefs during Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The only other change to the forwards sees Samuel Whitelock return in the second row with Mitch Dunshea dropping to the bench.
In the backs, Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga will combine in the halves in place of Bryn Hall and Fergus Burke. Hall will play from the reserves this weekend while Burke won’t feature against the Rebels after making his first-ever Super Rugby start against the Force last week.
All Blacks wing Sevu Reece also joins the starting lineup in place of Manasa Mataele who will suit up in the No 23 jersey.
The Crusaders, currently in third place on the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman ladder but only behind the second-placed Highlanders on points differential, will be looking for a big win to give themselves the best possible chance of making the grand final.
By the time their match rolls around on Saturday – the fourth game of the round – they’ll be well aware of what kind of points total they need to record if they’re to slip ahead of the Highlanders or the top-ranking Blues.
It looks like the @CrusadersRugby dynasty won't be crumbling anytime soon with a host of big names committed to the cause for the long term. #SuperRugbyTThttps://t.co/1sOGQJ7Evy
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 9, 2021
“The equation is pretty simple for us, we’ll know what we need to do come Saturday afternoon in Sydney,” head coach Scott Robertson said.
“It’s definitely been a finals mindset for us this week, and we just need to get over there and do what is required to earn ourselves another week together.”
The match kicks off at 2:35pm AEST (4:35pm NZT) from Leichhardt Oval in New South Wales.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Tamaiti Williams, Oli Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele.
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to comments