The Reds take on their third New Zealand team in a row as they play the Crusaders on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for the call all the game updates and banter in the comments from 4pm AEST.
One of the greatest games to be played between these two former champions was of course the 2011 Super Rugby Final. Nobody tipped anything less than a win for the Crusaders. They had the team on paper and had proven champions on the field. It was tough, tense and exciting. The closeness of the match and the final scoreline showed it to a tee.
That was, the first and last taste of a chance at the title for the Reds. While they have come close on a few occasions since their triumph they have fallen short of continued success. The same can be said for the Crusaders; the loss in the 2011 final was so far their last appearance in the past two seasons ousted in the earlier rounds.
As teams whom have won the title before they know exactly what needs to be done to return to glory. The likelihood of the Reds making a playoff spot is slim at best, and on top of winning games they will need other results to fall into their. But it is a tough mountain to climb.
For now their focus is solely on picking up wins, getting momentum and using the remaining games to build their future. Despite this year being a slightly disappointing one for the Reds; it has opened the way for the side to get itself back in order and return to playing the type of football expected of them.
They will have to muster up the strength for this outing; with the injury blows and suspensions they’ve endured in recent weeks. Still, it will be a great chance for players getting oportunities to show what they are capable of, how they’ll handle the pressure. It’s an old saying, but every athlete wants to test themselves against the best, and what better way for the Reds.
They must rise to the occasion and get a win, after a less than impressing outing against another New Zealand side the Blues.
Crusaders are looking pretty comfy sitting in seventh position. However there is no room to sit on their heels, they’ve got a chance to solidify their spot, and if they get the ‘rub of the green’ they might rise into the top three.
Looking back on their season so far, it was miserable start for the men from Christchurch. Scoring points was problematic and winning games, well that had appeared non-existent for a few weeks.
Thankfully they’ve been able to right the rocky little ship and are back on the track. Look for the Crusaders to start strongly and get into their work early. They are a team that likes to stick with the structure, plug up the middle gaps before spinning it out wide.
Regardless; their limited play and willingness to use the open spaces, and free-running rugby has left them vulnerable to tough defence and have at times this year been easily repelled on attack.
Should be low scoring game with no more than 10 points separating the sides.
Tip: Crusaders.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
I now dub thee, the Cru-Sladers! Playing this saturday at the Christchurch Slade-ium!
Mark
Guest
Hold - someone on this very site just wrote how he was the best 1st five in world rugby...
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Horwill is playing like he is lacking in vitamins...
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Bloody Foxtel mistimed completely their live viewing of the game - then their first replay - which they did for several programs over the weekend - meaning we lost the last 15 minutes of the Crusaders v Reds game. With their replays i cant get to watch the missed times until Tuesday - lift your game Foxtel.....you are not exactly cheap .... so provide a proper service.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Starting with 'Quade.'
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
They can still enjoy the opposition scoring plenty of tries - if they are Kiwi teams that is - not Jake white type teams.....
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Agreed
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Eating !!
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Horwill should have been binned as should have the bloke that hit Whitelock with the well aimed elbow to the midriff while Whitelock was a metre above the ground - and so should have the Ref for missing both - deliberately !!
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Only an Aussie would - and i hope they do - he is a sideshow all by himself....value adding to the cost of the ticket !
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
A game that mattered on what planet ?
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
And AAC as Captain - seems a settled consistent mature and calm type of player. You need that in a captain. I read Hooper has been touted but he needs to stay focused on his game and is too involved in the nuances of his rapid fire position to be captain at this stage.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
One noticeable difference was the aggression and attitude the "Saders brought to the game - that the Reds didn't. And this is often reflected between the ABs and Australia.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
You have got to be kidding - the Ref made at least 5 major errors before 10 minutes was up... he was woeful. As usual this Ref was anti kiwi but when he realised the 'Saders were running it in, changed his bias.....later in the game. He was pathetic and the IRB really has to do something about the game being dominated by stupid decision making - and decision makers !!
mapu
Guest
Jiggles is an egg.He must have night mares about nz rugby players,and prob is on the edge of not being able to take it much longer.lol
queenslander
Guest
First half we kept the ball and went well. Second half we kicked and were rogered. Simple message to reds and wallabies. 'STOP KICKING THE BALL.' End of lesson
moaman
Guest
Mr & Mrs Gator brought you up well.....
richard
Guest
God,I hope McKenzie picks the Blooper for the WBs this year.But,alas,I don't think he's that stupid.Probably Leilafano/ Toomua for first five.
SAVAGE
Guest
Good post.
Garth
Guest
And here I was convinced it was everyone in Queensland supporters jerseys who were doing all the booing of Quade & co.....