Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Crusaders in Christchurch: Rebels set sights on ‘hardest task in our game’

Darby Lancaster of the Rebels scores a try during the round eight Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Highlanders at AAMI Park, on April 13, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images) (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Rebels’ team is in as they set their sights on “the hardest task in our game.” After winning their last three matches before the bye, the Rebels will look to extend that run to four when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.

ADVERTISEMENT

While it’s true that the Crusaders are last on the Super Rugby Pacific standings with just one win from eight starts, there’s something intimating for any team that travels to Christchurch to take on the serial champions.

It’s a Super Rugby fortress for a reason, but the Melburnians will insist that they’re more than up for the fight.

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

“It’s a great time for us to take on a team like the Crusaders,” Andrew Kellaway told reporters earlier this week.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
4
Draws
1
Wins
0
Average Points scored
35
14
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%

“Going to Christchurch and winning is the hardest task in our game currently in Super Rugby.”

Alex Mafi moves into the run-on side at hooker and will join Matt Gibbon and Sam Talakai in the front row. Tuaina Taii Tualima starts at lock once again alongside the returning Josh Canham.

The backrow trio of Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi and Vaiolinil Ekuasi will take the field once again this week in what’s quickly becoming an area of strength for the Rebels.

Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon will combine once again in the halves, while coach Kevin Foote has named David Feliuai and Filipo Daugunu in the midfield.

ADVERTISEMENT

Darby Lancaster, who scored a blistering hat-trick last time out against the Highlanders, starts on the left wing, Lachie Anderson on the right, and of course Andrew Kellaway out the back.

This clash over the ditch in Christchurch is scheduled to get underway at 5:05 pm AEST on Friday night.

Melbourne Rebels to take on Crusaders

  1. Matt Gibbon
  2. Alex Mafi
  3. Sam Talakai
  4. Tuaina Taii Tualima
  5. Josh Canham
  6. Josh Kemeny
  7. Maciu Nabolakasi
  8. Vaiolinil Ekuasi
  9. Ryan Louwrens
  10. Carter Gordon
  11. Darby Lancaster
  12. David Feliaui
  13. Filipo Daugunu
  14. Lachie Anderson
  15. Andrew Kellaway

Replacements

  1. Jordan Uelese
  2. Isaac Kailea
  3. Taniela Tupou
  4. Rob Leota
  5. Angelo Smith
  6. Jack Maunder
  7. Matt Proctor
  8. Nick Jooste
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
MS 15 minutes ago
Why Blair Kinghorn should be nailed on as the Lions starting 15

I can see arguments for both Kinghorn, and Keenan starting for the Lions. But I’m less convinced by some of the claims (clearly partisan) supporters are using to argue the merits of one over the other.


For example, a number of Ireland supporters have suggested Kinghorn is ‘defensively weak’. That’s patently false - or at least on the evidence of this 6N, he’s certainly no weaker there than Keenan is, who is presumably the comparative standard they’re using. Keenan was both shrugged off in contact, and beaten on the edge for pace, a number of times during this competition.


Equally, Scotland supporters arguing Kinghorn is the more capable ‘rugby player’ seem to have overlooked the (frankly sizeable) body of evidence demonstrating that Keenan is an excellent ball in hand distributor and decision maker. So that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny either.


I don’t think there’s all that much to choose between them, and either would be a strong choice. I think it would be really interesting from a pure rugby perspective to see Keenan playing a ‘Scotland-esque’ style of high tempo attacking rugby. Either coming into the line more routinely as first receiver, or being swung as a pendulum and getting the ball on the edge against a stretched defence.


That’s assuming Andy Farrell goes that route, of course. He may well just opt for his Ireland system instead, and populate it with the likes of Henshaw, Ringrose, Lowe and Keenan. I’m sure that would win the series. Quite what effect it might have on a Lions audience who were expecting something other than ‘Ireland on tour, but wearing red’ would remain to be seen.


As for the debate at FB, the only ‘eye test’ difference I feel exists is in the pace of rugby Kinghorn (Toulouse? Scotland?) tends to play. His passing/offload game feels crisper and higher tempo than Keenan’s - and as we saw in Paris, his pace and eye for a gap from deep are superior.


But again, that will only prove a decisive factor if Andy Farrell wants to play that way. If all he wants from his FB is to sit deep, field high balls, and mop up then there’s little between these two equally excellent players.

3 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.' 'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'
Search