Being a Crusaders fan, I must say that I am really worried about the game this weekend against the Brumbies. News just in is that Captain Richie McCaw will not be playing against the Brumbies on Saturday in Canberra. I was really looking forward to this match as one always does when the Crusaders take on the Brumbies but I have to use my head here over my heart and I see a Brumbies victory come Saturday. Not only have the Crusaders lost Richie for this game but they are also without Leon MacDonald at fullback and ‘Big’ Brad Thorn at lock. The Saders are looking very thin going into this one.
McCaw is suffering from concussion, Thorn has a heel problem and Leon has a shoulder injury. Without these 3 All Blacks it is going to be tough against a Brumbies team which unconvincingly beat the Highlanders last weekend.
The Crusaders team in full for this clash is: 15 Stephen Brett, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (c), 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Isaac Ross, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Michael Paterson, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Adam Whitelock.
Whilst the Brumbies have gone with the same starting XV that played against the Highlanders: Mark Gerrard, Clyde Rathbone, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Julian Salvi, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson. Res: John Ulugia, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani, Peter Kimlin, Josh Holmes, Tyrone Smith, Matt Toomua, Shawn Mackay, Mitchell Chapman.
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10 comments
BP says:
Feb 19, 2009
i think the saders still have a cracking side, still have some all blacks in there and stephen brett is a proven player with skills…..
think it’ll be a battle of the centres tho, ashley cooper and mortlock may be too much for bateman and laulala, im thinking a brumbies win on this one, but not as easy as some people may think….saders will make them work for it
Guru says:
Feb 19, 2009
The Saders without Richie are certainly not the same team. Whether it weakend them to the point of losing the game, that remains to be seen. But as BP states, the Brumbies centres will be too strong. Not sure how this one will turn out though, will make for a tricky call I think.
Guru says:
Feb 19, 2009
Good superbru call Ron!!!!!! I’m with you all the way!!
BP says:
Feb 19, 2009
ah so you’ve both picked the brumbies for a win this weekend? im still thinking about it….gonna be atight one to call even without the veterans….!
Ron says:
Feb 19, 2009
Many people thing the Crusaders are going to win this one but I bet they didnt know about the absence of Riche, Leon and Brad.
Cant wait to watch Reunion tonight and here how they call this one. Forget about Boots n All!!!!!
BP says:
Feb 19, 2009
the crusaders have done great things but i think they may just be outta their depth here, and we havent seen enuogh of their reserves to be confident to call a saders win here….and i didnt see their win against the chiefs last weekend so cant really comment…!
BP says:
Feb 21, 2009
saders held their own until the last minute, pity but good call on superbru…..
Guru says:
Feb 23, 2009
I was extremely impressed by the Crusaders youngsters. They are a quality outfit, not as good as in years gone by but their descipline vs the Brumbies was amazing. Very good defensive outfit. Just concerned that agaonst better quality opposition they might struggle simply coz they do not seem to be able to create good attacking opportunities. In their first 2 games (Chiefs and Brumbies) they relied on turnovers to score. Against a team like the Sharks they would need to create their own opportunities.
BP says:
Feb 23, 2009
ya but you still have to take your chances when scoring, how much will that missed opportunity from frans steyn cost the sharks that extra bonus point? bonus points are the key to making the playoffs and the difference between home and away playoffs too. the crusaders have done well given their lack of big names, but i still think they’re defence is great,they targeted those centres and i didnt hear adam ashely-coopers name until like the end of the 2nd half. shows just how much they cut down the centres. but i think with richie back making the turnovers the crusaders will have more ball and will be able to attack properly, laulala will be dominating with that fro again…..
Guru says:
Feb 23, 2009
They should do pretyy well this season and as you say BP, the Brumbies game was without any of the big names. I am just trying to put this into context. Which other teams would be holding their own with a 3rd choice flyhalf, 2nd choice prop, lock, flank, fullback and a new coach? AMzing depth and structure withing the Crusaders camp. But we must very honest and give credit where it belongs, Robbie Deans!!!! He is the reason why the Crusaders have such structure and such a winning attitude. Just as much as the Bulls have Heneke Meyer to thank after all these years.