The Crusaders are looking to keep their undefeated start to the season alive when they host a struggling Force outfit coming off a bye. Catch all the action on The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Four weeks in a row the Crusaders have come back from a deficit and tasted victory.
They’re just one of three teams with a zero in the loss column, and have shown grit and determination to repeatedly win despite their position on the scoreboard.
The most successful team in Super Rugby are shaping up to be a massive threat for the Hurricanes title defence in 2017.
They jumped past the Blues last week at home, 33-24, thanks to two late tries in the final eight minutes.
The Force had the bye in Round 4, after a disappointing loss to the Brumbies.
They went the complete opposite of the Crusaders, when they conceded two tries in the final eight minutes to lose by eight, continuing their shaky start to the season.
The Force still sit third in the Australian conference despite just one win so far for 2017, and another one would push them up into second.
Team news
Ben Daley and Jermaine Ainsley have been brought back into a revamped Force front row, alongside hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau making his run-on debut.
Also in the debut ranks will be flanker Isi Naisarani.
In the backline, Luke Morahan has been moved to fullback as Alex Newsome gets a start out on the wing, while Marcel Brache comes in at inside centre for his first game of the season.
For the Crusaders, Scott Barrett has moved to blindside flanker, while Luke Romano joins Sam Whitelock in the back row. Matt Todd comes back in at openside flanker from a calf injury.
Jordan Taufua has been named at No.8, with Wyatt Crockett replacing prop Joe Moody. Digby Ioane returns from a finger injury to replace Manasa Mataele. Mitch Drummond and Time Bateman have also been named at halfback and outside centre respectively.
Prediction
This could be a long day at the office for the Force. The Crusaders haven’t been dominant, but they’ve certainly been a lot better than their opponents this season.
While the Force showed promising signs against the Brumbies two weeks ago, they’ll need to play much better than that to get the result.
Crusaders to win by 30
ethan
Guest
Been saying it for years, worst ref going. How he gets a gig is beyond me. Is an embarrassment every time he takes the field.
ClarkeG
Guest
I believe the correct decision would have been a 5m scrum to the Crusaders. But the grounding, if in fact it was grounded, is not as obvious as many have said. Peni had one hand under the ball and then for a very brief moment tipped it, at which point it appeared it may have touched the ground, then he tipped it back at which point it was again not touching the ground. So if the ball was grounded by the Force then Peni was the only one that did it. No other player did. Lowrens had driven over the ball and Ainsley (I think) was over the ball and put his hand on it but he didn't apply downward pressure. He appeared to be about to pick the ball up but the ball can't be grounded by picking it up. Not sure where "held up" comes into play. The ball was never carried by a Crusader's player. The ball can't be considered held up when it is still playable which in this case it clearly was, hence Romano's try.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Understand the TMO choosing no penalty try, but how does he assert the licence to declare 'only a penalty'. It was a cynical foul under pressure any day of the week. Blatant yellow offence. All the talk has been about the quality of teams. This is cited as the reason the comp is going south. However the quality of officiating leaves even the rusted on rugby fans scratching their heads. Hoffman is a weak referee. TMO out of line on this one. In SA they make up laws at times. Officials in all the tri nation's unions do it. It is eroding the quality of the product. I don't care too much if the Force loses. I like them to win but what I most want to see is a contest. The officials are there to compliment the contest, not take a side to please the home town. Hoffman strikes me as a polite sensitive bloke. Could be a good counsellor. Refereeing requires other skills.
ClarkeG
Guest
Agree. If it is your intention to ground the ball then make sure it is done in such a way that the referee is in no doubt.
BBA
Guest
Well to be fair it was more the video ref's fault to me than Hoffman (although I dont rate or enjoy his reffing). Video ref had multiple angles and slow motion replays. On the other hand until it went awry the Rebels weren't claiming it as being forced on the goal line. It clearly looked like the Rebels want ed to play on and not have a 5m scrum, that is until Romano put his mitts on it. So while you can blame the refs the Rebels did have some culpability for not being decisive..
AJ
Guest
Watched Hoffman ref a club game in Brisbane last weekend, he's not even up to that standard.
robel
Roar Pro
Just watched the 'saders try scored by the ref awarding a try when the Force players had their hands on the ball. Hoffman is rubbish. It's a 5m scrum for held up or defensive forced grounding. If Peni didn't put the ball down because his hand was under it, then it should be a 5m scrum as it was held up by the same hand. It can't be a try if no hand was under the ball as Lowrens had the ball on the ground with his hands on the ball. This where we all see countless replays of who had their hands on the ball first.
Highlander
Guest
Actually they have an a academy of between 60-80 who train together.....This is no accident
John
Guest
Learn the rules, you and Justin Marshall He never had the rights as he didn't get the ball 1st time. Then he keep trying to play it
Harry
Guest
Always likely the Crusaders would win easily and so it transpired. The game as a serious contest was over when referee Hoffman left a blatant professional foul by the Saders go with a mere penalty in the 5th minute.
Lincoln Lense
Guest
Bye Bye Western Force :) Time for the NRL to take another bath there again
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cowboys by 1 Connor, Cowboys by 1. No excuses.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Good fight from the Force but they were always up against it. To be fair I expected them to fall apart after the 4th try so credit to them that the Crusaders didn't hit 60 or 70.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
What were the crowd numbers there?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
"where do the Cantabs grow these kids" I suspect they have a gene splicing program from Richie McCaw and Dan Carter into upcoming players.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Make sure to join me now for the Waratahs vs Rebels over on this link HERE There's no break for the rugby tragic!!
Connor Bennett
Editor
All I needed was for that last conversion to go over!!!
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The scoreline makes it look a lot worse than what it was for the Force who really fought hard away from home in Christchurch. A high-scoring and entertaining first half gave way to a slower-paced, grinding effort in the second half as wet weather, scrums and penalties took over the contest. The Force probably deserved more points on the board than they did, but the Crusaders were the better team and deserved to keep their winning streak to start the season alive and well. Crusaders – 45 Force – 17
Machooka
Roar Guru
You need to sharpen your prediction margin Connor... otherwise good call :)