The Brumbies put in a good fight but it wasn’t enough to knock off the Crusaders, victorious by four points on Saturday.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Crusaders 17
Brumbies 13
This early Saturday night game sees the Brumbies travelling to Christchurch to play the Crusaders. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for all the live action as the Brumbies kick off their 2017 Super Rugby season.
This match represents something of a new beginning for the Brumbies, with stalwarts such as Stephen Moore and David Pocock no longer available, and there is little hope they can mount a serious challenge in this year’s competition.
In saying that, there is plenty of experience in this side, including Wallaby representation, so the franchise should still expect a solid season.
The Crusaders are also ushering in a new era, with Scott Robertson taking the reins as coach for his first Super Rugby outing. Many are waiting to see what sort of input he will have on the side and their style of play after the departure of Todd Blackadder.
Both sides have named packs littered with internationals, the Crusaders in particular able to field three All Black locks into their 23, giving them an advantage over the Brumbies, particularly from the bench.
Both backlines also present a number of experienced internationals, so we should expect plenty of excitement.
There are also a number of new faces, and it is a big games for Bryn Hall of the Crusaders and Brumby Kyle Godwin, who have both relocated from other franchises. Hall had several seasons with the Blues without really cracking the big time and will hope he can fulfil his potential with the red and blacks, while Godwin rarely displayed his full abilities with the Force and hopefully his move to the capital will bear fruit.
Robertson’s Canterbury sides were known for their attacking intent and it would be a surprise not to see the same at Super level, while last season the Brumbies were often criticised for their lack of ability to score with ball in hand – it’s imperative for them to make more use of their attacking opportunities this season.
Prediction
Playing at home, with a more experienced and stronger bench, the Crusaders should secure a bonus-point win.
Crusaders by 20.
Whakaata
Guest
It was the first game of the season and the Crusaders are notorious late starters. Nothing to get too excited about from a Brumbies perspective.
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely - IMO, JM and Goldie got it wrong. If you challenge for the ball you have a responsibility to show that your challenge will place you in a position to catch the ball. If you don't think you will be able to catch the ball then, you have a responsibility to not impede your opponent, from catching the ball. Eyes on the ball is fair enough provided you leap and challenge to catch the ball because, if you're still a couple of metres short from being in a position to catch the ball, then you are in trouble since your ability to prevent a collision with your opponent, with you running at full speed, becomes virtually non-existent. Once that happens, it is a card offence and the colour of the card is determined by the outcome of the collision and the injury that inevitably occurs, as a result of the collision. The safest action unless, you know for sure that you can challenge and catch the ball, is to not challenge for the ball until it has been caught and then, go for the tackle and potential turnover. Too many players think they possess an impressive ability to catch a ball in flight at full speed when IMO, I'd suggest I could count such skilful players in SR, on one hand......there's really not very many exponents who can perform this play and, be successful.
Old Bugger
Guest
OK, its a season opener but gees, if Razor doesn't get the Saders back on track, then it could be a very long season indeed. The smart money had the Brumbies looking down the barrel but after this display, I think they can hold their heads high and the Saders, are the team to look down the barrell. Its gonna be a long week for Razor and his charges to get their game-plan back on track and they can start by demoting Hall from HB - now I see why Umaga didn't offer him an extension and persuaded Pulu, to return north. Perhaps, Read's involvement may just give the Saders some impetus but it's not really a one-player problem that I can recognise.....it seems the whole Saders side suffered from stage fright last night whereas the Brumbies, were the exact opposite.
Sylvester
Guest
Ha, not quite. But if you've seen how tackles in the air have been policed in the past few seasons, you expect a yellow card in most cases.
Ash
Guest
Come on Tony Johnson is the Phil Kearns of NZ commentators.
RobC
Roar Guru
Finger licking good!
Sylvester
Guest
I reckon the Crusaders would have been fair more competitive at the breakdown with Todd on board. The lack of clean ball and the ruck turnovers they conceded really affected their momentum.
Sylvester
Guest
Tony Johnson then read out the wording of the law, which is fairly clear. If you're going to contest a high ball against Dagg, you should always jump, because he definitely will.
Diggercane
Guest
Thought I would be good for 95...
Paul
Guest
I second that, I expected a flogging. I tip my hat to the Brumbies, you stuck at it.
Ash
Guest
All of them said it.
Sylvester
Guest
That's the risk of relying on Justin Marshall's rules knowledge...
Sylvester
Guest
I too was very surprised at how well the Brumbies played given the players they've lost. The Crusaders were good for about 6 minutes, then it was 74 minutes of bumbling nothingness. It might take a few games to properly bury the ghosts of Blackadder's tenure.
Ash
Guest
Even the one eyed sky sports team disagreed with the decision.
Sylvester
Guest
I have some sympathy for the guy but not much. The "eyes on the ball" defence rarely saves you if the opposition player is in the air and you don't jump.
Harry Jones
Expert
Quality win Blogging score : 94.6%
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Hard luck on the loss for the Brumbies, but for a team that has lost so many key players this season, it was an impressive performance against an strong opponent.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Marius, many thanks for your company!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Digger! ... gotta say the I felt the Brumbies would struggle this year and playing the Saders at home is never an east task ... now I can go have dinner and settle down to watch the Tahs ... *S*
Digby
Roar Guru
Many thanks for joining me here tonight, I will be moving on to the next game tonight, the Waratahs hosting the Force in Sydney here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/02/25/waratahs-vs-force-super-rugby-live-scores-blog/ Join me over on the new blog for the local Ozzie derby!