FULLTIME:CRUSADERS 58 defeated the REDS 17
The Crusaders started here strongly tonight and had leaped out to an early 15-3 lead however the Reds fought back through their forwards and in particular the setpeice to head into halftime behind by just the five points and the game was in the balance.
However the Crusaders hit the ground running and poured on the points in the second half, forty three of them in fact as the Reds defence completely deserted them, highlighted by a 60 meter effort to lock Sam Whitelock.
The Reds second half effort was woeful this evening after fighting so hard in the first half to keep themselves in the match, they simply ran out of endeavour in the second as the Crusaders piled on the pressure and cut loose in midfield and out wide and gave Dan Carter and Richie McCaw a send off to remember this evening.
The opening match of Round 13 of Super Rugby sees the Crusaders hosting the Reds from AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Join The Roar for all the action from 5:35pm (AEST).
This is a must-win match for the Crusaders who are still harbouring playoff aspirations, but a loss tonight will likely see them fall too far off the pace.
Their loss to the competition-leading Hurricanes last weekend showed signs to suggest the franchise are getting back to their best, with many commenting that despite the loss, it was their best performance of the season.
The Reds are unfortunately well out of consideration for the playoffs but still have plenty to play for after a less-than-satisfactory season, and with Wallaby positions up for grabs, a good performance against the Crusaders in New Zealand will count for much at the selection table.
As always, the battle up front will go a long way to deciding this match, and both teams boast solid packs with plenty of international experience.
Both sides’ major strength lies with their tight five and set piece so the static plays should provide a fascinating contest. The loose forward trios are also stacked with talent and international quality, with the battle between the two opensides – Matt Todd for the Crusaders and Liam Gill for the Reds – a potential highlight.
Both of these sides have struggled for continuity and cohesion in their backlines, with the Crusaders struggling to find their best combinations while the Reds have been hit hard with injury.
However the Crusaders seem to have found their best mix with Andy Ellis, Colin Slade and Dan Carter forming their 9-10-12 Axis and they looked more composed against the Hurricanes. In particular Slade was threatening with ball in hand and had sound decision-making. Being able to unleash their particularly threatening outsides, led by Nemani Nadolo, could see the Crusaders open the floodgates.
For the Reds a lot falls on experienced halfback Will Genia, and if he can get front-foot ball then the likes of James O’Conner and the promising Samu Kerevi can make inroads.
Tip
Crusaders.
The odds heavily favour the Crusaders, but the odds can count for little and this is a Reds side desperate to finish their season on a positive note.
Join The Roar as we cover all the action live, and don’t forget to weigh in with your thoughts below.
QldFan
Guest
:fair weather supporter.." I was ashamed of the Reds non-defence in the second half, and Combesy is probably right in saying that not supporting them financially is the only way that fans can make a practical display of "disgruntledness :) " RG has got to go. Could it be that the players are also demonstrating their dislike of RG by performing like that? Those so called attempts at tackles are the sort you see in the under 7s.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Not sure if I agree about Genia. He sniped well a few times but his decision making in the 2nd half was poor. A team is running rampant against you & you decide the best option is to box kick to them when you have some ball?
ethan
Guest
They lost 1 LO while Simmons was on, out of many in 60 odd minutes. They lost 2 while he was off, out of only 3 or 4, in 20 minutes. Hurricanes contained Nadolo well, as have one or two other teams throughout the season. It's a difficult task, but not impossible. I don't like to be too critical of Turner in general, because he is a Red who has been excellent for them throughout the year. But last night was the first game he was not. I'm not alone in this thought. Even the commentators were saying he was having a nightmare game.
Combesy
Roar Guru
Riddler I'm not a fair weather supporter at all. I've actully come to this decision based on the fact that I believe if we continue to support them in the same manner nothing will change. Not giving them financial support is the only way the fans can speak.
Combesy
Roar Guru
Yep they can add to that my 6 ruby memberships as well as the annual corporate box. Not sure if I'll even bother attending the last couple of games
Mike
Guest
Sorry that is unfair. But I thought some of your comments on Simmons have been overstated, such as when you wrote that Reds didn't win a lineout after he went off . They did, and they lost at least one of their own when he was on the field too. He is very good, but Reds lineout success is not just due to one player. The last 20 minutes coincided with the time when the wheels were falling off for them in every department, unfortunately.
Mike
Guest
Given that nobody else could handle Nadolo either, I think that's a bit rough on the fullback. And he made several other positive contributions when others were lacking. I agree re Genia, very difficult environment for a scrummie to operate in and he really stood tall (ha ha). Lineouts - I didn't notice that Simmons particularly made a difference. They seemed patchy throughout .
SOS
Guest
Larkham nailed it in Round 1. Reds are not up to Super rugby standard. That is the fault of the board, the players and RG.
riddler
Guest
fair weather supporter..
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes mate. Samu K is going to be a huge star. Takes time to get everything right. Next year or year after, he will be the destroyer. If he gets it right, he could be one of the best 12s ever. He's a multi-dimensionally skilled player, imo Crudely speaking Stiles won NRC on three things. Scrums, lineout and key Rising players drafted by the WBs :) I think Reds needs a coach who knows the practicalities of winning critical SR games or tournaments: - Not just theory, but the experience itself. - I think RG has potential to be v good, but needs a mentor who knows how to win battles, campaigns and wars. - His stints in Bath Sarries WBs were good, but not tournie winners. - Stiles is in the same category. Brad Thorne, would be also. Nothing wrong with their new ideas, new attack structures, point solutions they offer / coaching knowledge. What is lacking is the ability to bring their ideas to life holistically and sustainably. So, the answer is getting someone like EM in: - Its no coincidence that Cheika won Heineken and SR - Likewise no coincidence that Jack White won RWC and Brumbies turned around. - And EMs Tahs getting to the finals twice, before getting a ragtag team to win the trophy
Gavin Barker
Roar Pro
Hard to argue with any of that mate. I do think tonight showed that Kerevi (as talented as he is) still has plenty of work to do on his defensive game in the 13 channel. Granted some of the issues came from structure, but he still seems prone to a poor read. And on the centres, I have completely lost faith in Ant F this season. On the coaching front, I am wondering if the signing of Brad Thorn might suggest that Nick Stiles is on the verge of greater things and there may soon be a vacancy at the forwards coach position. Stilesy did look a good coach with Brisbane City in the NRC, but the performance and attitude of the pack this year has not done him any favours.
RobC
Roar Guru
100% ethan. I believe Kev called the LO then I think he was happy Whitelock was off too. But they didnt seem to respect Bird enough. Who stole 3.
RobC
Roar Guru
Individually, I think the Reds are pretty good defenders. Looks like this was a preparation issue. Would like to have another look at it, but their D structure and approach seemed the exact opposite of what it should be. If they watched last week's game closely, they should have seen the midfield breaks Saders made. To counter this they just had to either use the Rebs D system of attacking the halves and centres (just like tonight). Or used the Tahs system of flooding centrefield, and pushing the attacking team towards the sideline. Instead they seem to wait on their heels and use the blanket system (like the Stormers). Inappropriate. Thats the coaching side of the problem. On the leadership side. It seems like when the massacre started happening, the Reds were like lambs resigned to slaughter. Their attack was ok, but their spirit in D was totally gone. No adaptation, no mongrel in tackles, etc. But I suppose thats mostly due to the lack of ideas on how to keep the Saders out. Who played very well, in any case.
Gavin Barker
Roar Pro
we can only hope ethan
ethan
Guest
On tonights performance… Slipper was good for 40 until he got injured. Hansen was probably their best. Holmes continues to be great in the scrums. Simmons was decent and LO while he was on was excellent. Genia had a quality game, sniping round the ruck and giving great service. I'm not defending RG, far from it, but like the Kiwi commentators were saying - certain individuals look good for the Reds every week, but as a team they fall apart. That to me suggests the coaching is the issue, far more than the players.
ethan
Guest
This type of performance = new coach = quade stays! (Wishful thinking?)
ethan
Guest
Agree with Schatz as Mr. Invisible. We are in desperate need off an 8. Lolo does look very promising. Tui can't recover from his injury soon enough.
ethan
Guest
LO was actually excellent for the first 60 odd minutes. Then Simmons went off, and I don't think we won one after that.
ethan
Guest
Always strong with ball in hand, but made quite a few costly defensive errors. Crusaders made easy metres around his channel.
ethan
Guest
RG is so poisonous, he is effecting the boards performance as well!