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Recap: Crusaders v Highlanders LIVE | Super Rugby
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Highlanders at Orangetheory Stadium.
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Injury has prevented Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson from retaining the same starting XV that soared to a 25-8 victory over the Blues at Eden Park last week.
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Subsequently, two changes have been made to the run-on side, with captain Scott Barrett among the casualties alongside Irish tighthead prop Oli Jager.
A knee issue means Barrett has been replaced by former All Blacks veteran Luke Romano in the second row, while the concussion that forced Jager from the field inside the first 10 minutes in Auckland has led to Samoan international Michael Alaalatoa earning selection at No. 3 this week.
Razor has named his team for Friday's big Mainland Derby against the @Highlanders here at home in Christchurch – https://t.co/mf0LrgRC3r Don't miss the action at home for the first time in 2020, get your tickets at https://t.co/SNCzFAO4sV #CRUvHIG #southernderby
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) February 19, 2020
The remainder of the Crusaders’ starting team unchanged, although there have been some alterations on the bench.
Alaalatoa’s promotion from the reserves presents an opening for Ofa Tu’ungafasi’s younger brother, Isi, who North Harbour starlet Ethan Roots as the two new forwards on the pine.
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The only other change to the match day side comes at No. 23, as a groin injury to electric outside back Will Jordan has allowed fellow youngster Leicester Fainga’anuku to return after missing the Blues fixture to play for the Crusaders Development XV.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, have reshuffled their backline in the wake of their last-gasp 23-22 win over the Brumbies in Canberra six days ago.
Head coach Aaron Mauger has shifted Otago skipper Michael Collins to his regular position of fullback after he ran out at centre last week.
? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ?
Your Landers side to take on the @crusadersrugbyteam in Christchurch this Friday night! Kick off 7.05pm NZT!
Will you be at the match? #WhereExcitementHappens #CRUvHIG pic.twitter.com/bXGOHHiG8s
— Pulse Energy Highlanders (@Highlanders) February 18, 2020
In doing so, young Canterbury speedster Josh McKay has been demoted to the bench, while star midfielder Rob Thompson returns to the No. 13 jersey after being a late injury withdrawal for the Brumbies clash.
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Sio Tomkinson’s three-week suspension for a shoulder charge means former Reds flyer Chris Kuridrani will make his Highlanders debut on the right wing.
One-cap All Blacks flanker Dillon Hunt has dropped out of the Highlanders’ bench to captain the franchise’s development team, the Bravehearts, this weekend to accomodate for McKay’s culling in what is the only change in the reserves list.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Super Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
41 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
41 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
41 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
41 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to comments