The Crusaders take on the Stormers at AMI Stadium in Christchurch tonight. Join us for live scores and coverage from 5.35pm AEDT.
Coming into the fourth round the Crusaders will be looking to make amends for their unimpressive start to the season.
The Stormers have been equally poor, with a massive loss to the Lions and a one point victory over the Hurricanes at home.
While the Crusaders find themselves with a typically slow start, you get the sense this year the bookies might have it wrong; that they won’t just get into their stride and make the final with a late flourish.
With this game they’ll be looking to stop the rot and get back to where they belong.
Richie McCaw is out with a broken thumb. His body is having alternative ambitions to his mind. It’s not a waste however, with Matt Todd outplaying the bloke early in 2014, cutting the defence apart with ease.
Meanwhile the Stormers’ lineout has been crumbling like a Roman forum on softer sands, although rather more quickly. In their first game of the year against the Lions they lost five against the throw, and last week a couple more.
In the past they’ve treated the idea of scoring tries with a curious contempt. And they’ve largely been able to, with their set piece, strong defence and ability to dominate field position.
This year it appears the wheels may be falling off the wagon.
The Lions scored three drop goals and six penalty goals against them, which, when added together, equals far more than the Stormers’ typically lonesome five pointer.
If these guys are going to give away field position they’ll want to learn how to score tries from open play.
No better time than now.
Join us at 5.35pm tonight on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say.
Harry Jones
Expert
Schalk Burger is back.
Mack
Guest
HAHAHA!!
Sylvester
Guest
The Crusaders lost their first two last year, but both were away from home and they had key players out. This year, they've already lost only their second ever game at the new stadium and came close to losing two in row. They're pretty much at full strength - bar the unavailable Carter - and still look terrible. Not winning the conference is pretty much a semi final death knell and the Chiefs are already streaking away.
onetruegame
Guest
Btw, it was a joy to finally see some sanity this week around the holding on offence. A strike to an arm to free yourself cannot be an offence. At last the gamesmanship was punished.
onetruegame
Guest
You are a sage Nick. You got it, only the tries were only one way
onetruegame
Guest
Spot on Sylvester
onetruegame
Guest
I can remember them starting slow Tane. Can't remember them starting this weak. Unless they can create a punchy 13 or a more dazzling back 3, the era may be over.
Touko
Guest
Damn that was an ugly game. Like a basketball match between two teams you've never heard of and couldn't care less about, the only interesting bit was seeing who would win. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to skip the first 75 minutes and enjoy the drama of whether the blokes in skeleton costumes can fall over the line or just fall over before the hooter rings. Oh well, that's 75 minutes I'm never getting back.
felix
Guest
tight game bulls vs blues game :-)
Tane Mahuta
Guest
According to JOC and Beale, the burgers are better at Hungry Jacks.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
I dont think the Saders have ever had a slow start to the season before...oh wait. A lot of short memmories on this thread.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Yes typical of crowds THE WORLD OVER. Chip, shoulder, huge.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Saders are just cruising long season they will be in 6
Magic Sponge
Guest
Saders are just cruising long season they will be in 6
Sylvester
Guest
Was at the game, and pleased to see the lads get a win, but this just papers over mammoth cracks for Blackadder. It was essentially two clueless teams, where the winner was just slightly less rubbish. The Crusaders have a world class forward pack but zero attack. Worse still, they have no options for improving it that I can see.
winston
Roar Rookie
How good was Burger?! Its great to see one of the great characters of Rugby back.
Digby
Roar Guru
Nah, don't believe it's anything like that. Just don't think the coaches are very astute
felix
Guest
Thanks digger,guttered,Ardie Savea issue is interesting doesnt he get along with the coach?
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Cheers Diggercane, was a good game to call....
firstxv
Guest
Cant see the Saders competing with the NZ conference. Blackadder going on about 3 kickers in the backs... with another in DC to come back? Whats that about. Man are they missing Fruean the backs are so lightweight, they were smashed back again and again.