The Crusaders welcome the Cheetahs from South Africa to AMI Stadium in Christchurch for this Round 6 clash. Join The Roar for all the action from 5:35pm (AEST).
The Crusaders will be looking to further consolidate their momentum for this season after a strong win over the Lions last weekend, while the Cheetahs will want to get their season back on track after two losses at home.
The Crusaders have again flattered to deceive at the start of the season, lacking cohesion and accuracy during the first rounds, but last weekend their win over the Lions suggested the machine was starting to crank into gear.
With a full complement of first-string players returning to the starting side, and in particular the reintroduction of Nemani Nadolo to the wing, the Crusaders looked more controlled and threatening in their play. They will look to control territory and possession, and play a tight game against the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs have struggled in recent weeks, particularly at the breakdown. Heinrich Brossow will be a key element for this Cheetahs side and the more disruptive they can be the better, as they look to break the game open to promote their dangerous backline.
Willie le Roux will need to have a starring role and be at his creative best if the Cheetahs want to secure the points.
Join us from 5:35pm as we cover all of the action live on The Roar, and don’t forget to join in the debate as the match unfolds.
Tip – Crusaders.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well it's almost like at halftime the Saders finally decided to turn on their usual late 'on' switch for the year, so now we have the 'real' Crusaders back again for another year. If there's one side that kicks on from a good performance it's the Saders. Once it gets infectious it envelops the team. Anyone playing them from here onwards had better be ready...the real crusaders are back.
44bottles
Roar Guru
We haven't had enough of the "This is the year the Crusaders won't make the finals" talk yet OJ. Can't start it until people have finished that topic.
john
Guest
Poor management.? Cheetahs scrum could not handle power of the Crusaders 8. They continuously went down, buckled or turned in.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Spot on Sylvester. Winning away sure beats losing at home in terms of generating confidence and momentum. Win these away games or the bulk of them and the season looks bright. Lose them and then it's difficult not to feel Blue...
Harry Jones
Expert
Well-blogged, Digger man. Cheetahs can't defend like Lions. Sharks v Chiefs = the one to watch. And congrats to NZ in CWC.
Sylvester
Guest
Tough road trip coming up that could be season defining for the Saders. The mid season Africa trip last year, which they managed to get through unbeaten from memory, was the start of the run of form. Sharks and Bulls this time though...
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Another poor start but will the second half provide some momentum for the Crusaders in their next few games? Still a long way to go but at least there are wins on the board. Feel for the Blues supporters. Anyway this is Wellington's weekend, DC. Beautiful day there and what a special performance by Guptill. A win for the Hurricanes and Wellington must seem like the centre of the universe. ;)
Not Bothered
Guest
Let me guess...it wasnt a smashing because Crockett was boring in and the ref let all the Crusaders infringements go, which if it had happened in SA would have caused an uproar. Does that about sum it up BB?
Happyman
Guest
Sanders had the same ref and managed to get away with the same stuff again. The cheetahs must be fuming at there treatment I would be. Even the kiwi commentators thought it was rubbish.
Sylvester
Guest
Yeah but he was forced out after they imported Kevin Senio - so he's probably holding a grudge still...
Digby
Roar Guru
Certainly a game of two halves................ The Crusaders were ill disciplined and inaccurate in the first half despite dominating territory and possession with the Cheetahs having to live off scraps which they did remarkably well to lead at halftime by 14-10. However, in the second half, the pressure from the Crusaders finally told as le Roux was marched for 10 for a high tackle on Nadolo inside the 22 and the Cheetahs wilted after that decision, conceding 4 trys in that 10 minute period to effectively end the match as a contest. A great result for the Cruaders before they embark on their African safari while the Cheetahs will need to put this dissapointment behind them quickly with a date with the Chiefs next on the agenda. Thanks for joining in and hopefully you can make our covergage of the South African matches in the morning before the big Austarlian derby match on Sunday afternoon.
Digby
Roar Guru
Reminded me, better set the alarm!!! :shock:
RobC
Roar Guru
Excellent. See you there man
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
What in god's name...?! It was 10-14 at halftime!
Digby
Roar Guru
Yip, am doing the Sharks game.
Digby
Roar Guru
For sure, it still has its problems. I just can't figure out what refs are thinking at times...
RobC
Roar Guru
This one was blatant Andy. Lees didn't represent Oz ref community well today.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers DC. Great work, as usual. Turn point was the WLR card, it seems. Catching the SR matches tonight?
AndyS
Guest
Didn't see enough of it to really say in this instance, just saying that when a team is that dominant it is very often because the ref is missing what is actually going on. Seems to be a lot of 'dominant' scrums this year...
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks mate