Super Rugby front-runners the Crusaders did what everyone expected tonight, beating the Rebels 41-19 in what was a very entertaining match in Melbourne.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Crusaders 41
Rebels 19
It’s hard to know where to start with tonight’s game in Melbourne between the Rebels and the Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:45pm AEST.
The Rebels are living through the season from hell while the Crusaders, after a couple of close shaves in the early rounds, are flying high as the only unbeaten side left in Super Rugby.
It is impossible to imagine anybody tipping that run to come to an end tonight, coach Scott Robertson has his team ticking over far too smoothly to be troubled by a Rebels side which is still struggling to field consistent combinations from week to week, due to a high injury toll in their squad.
The team this week duly has five changes from last weeks’ run on side, but the side has a distinctly stronger feel to it, captain Nic Stirzaker, Sefa Naivalu and Colby Fainga’a among the inclusions.
Coach Tony McGahan happily noted this week that the coaching panel, for one of the few times this season, enjoyed some robust discussion about selection.
Local fans will at least get a taste of what might have been, with a loose forward combination of Fainga’a, Amanaki Mafi and Sean McMahon, complemented by Lopeti Timani at lock, appealing as one of the strongest in the Australian conference.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby” name=”Rugby”]
The Crusaders enjoy the luxury of replacing their whole starting front row, although the selection of Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell and Michael Ala’alatoa can hardly be considered second rate!
The backline looks particularly strong, Israel Dagg returning this week from injury, sending the impressive George Bridge to the bench.
This match provides another opportunity for impressive flyhalf Richie Mo’unga to continue his rise up the New Zealand pecking order; he looks to be a beautifully balanced player, with impressive goal kicking ability as well.
It may surprise some people to learn that the Rebels have a reasonable head to head record against the Crusaders – two wins from five matches – although most pundits will point to last years’ result, a thumping 85-26 win to the Crusaders in Christchurch, as a more reliable pointer to tonight’s result.
Prediction
No prizes for picking a Crusaders win tonight. As for the margin, expect the Rebels to put up a decent fight, to match the fighting words of owner Andrew Cox last week, although they won’t have the firepower to match the ladder leaders over the whole 80 minutes.
Crusaders by 28
Join The Roar from 7:45pm AEST for pre-match discussion, live scores and commentary, and debates.
mattocks
Guest
not really cryptic, i understood, just answered with a straight bat
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Well done you, Geoff. Another great read and look forward to your Wrap.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Well done KK
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Congrats Marius, you've got a good side on your hands there.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
One at a time BV...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report So that’s it from AAMI Park. The full match summary will follow, and don’t forget to check back in on Monday morning for ‘The Wrap’.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Now Scott Robertson and Sam Whitelock Razor… planned only for the 5 points tonight and very pleasing that we achieved that. We left a few tries out there but we were trying to play fast rugby. About the ten changes? A bit of everything really, we’ve just had two ‘test matches’ against the Canes and Chiefs, plus had a lot of travel, so it was great to give the extended squad a run Whitelock… first half we executed well but credit to the Rebels they shocked us a bit in the second. I didn’t put the 13 jersey on by mistake, I’m expected to show a wide range of skills and the ball just seemed to come my way a bit. A lot of that was down to Izzy Dagg, he’s a big voice out there and he draws the ball to his side. Robertson… we understand how hard the market is over here, we want the Aussie teams to perform and we care about them doing well and rugby doing well. The current situation isn’t great and we’re understanding of that. Whitelock… as a player the points never come easy no matter who you’re playing. We always respect the Australian sides and we always get a hard contest. And tonight, we actually lost the second half, we were under pressure a lot there. Robertson… not too worried about the test window. It’s there, we’ve planned for it, and while the Lions series is pretty special for everyone in NZ, we will make sure that we’re switched on and ready to go straight afterwards. We don’t want to miss a beat.
Brizvegas
Guest
Thanks Geoff anything back from Whitelock or Robinson?
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Thanks RT. One never gets tired of winning. ;) Dagg will come good but the Highlanders is not the team to bring him up to match fitness. Put him in against the Lions but not that game. They must have their full strength team that's available and Dagg doesn't make the cut at the moment for me.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Presser First up, Tony McGahan and Nic Stirzaker McGahan… really pleased with the 2nd half, but too much inaccurate kicking in the first half turning over the ball. Also unable to connect in defence when hodge was in the bin. We expressed ourselves better once we held the ball better in the 2nd half. They’re a pretty fair side, you don’t get to 11-0 for no reason. Sad to see Sean go down. Dislocated wrist at this stage. Too early to tell, may also be broken. Very very painful, straight to hospital. Colby Fainga'a has been a super player for us, that was a nice pass for our first try. How he goes about his business on and off field has been excellent from day one. Australian selectors could do a lot worse than look at him if Sean is out for an extended period. Stirzaker… we felt like we were under pressure all the time, they just kept coming at us. But once we held onto it a bit more we felt that we got parity and contributed to the game a lot more. McGahan… Naivalu has been a bit quiet. Sometimes the play goes the other way, but there’s also an onus on each player to find the ball as well. Next week? We should get Timani back, but probably not much else.
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Ghehehe thanks RT. Couldn't watch the game. Network was down here on the farm. Only saw the final score thanks to Geoffs epic blogging skills. Tell u what..we'll lose one of our pre season games next season..;)
Harry Jones
Expert
Really top quality live blogging this Round. Digger is the Crusader of blogging. Still number one... You are the Canes. Wild! Alan Nicolea is the (Golden) Lion.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
That they have Moa.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Marius.... the Crusaders play an exciting brand of rugby...you must be happy. Their support play, pace and the relentless approach both in attack and defence makes compelling watching ... But you guys are now one game closer to your next loss.... :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I also wouldn't write off Dagg just yet.... he has had a long spell on the sideline, but the depth your guys have is pretty scary for opposition...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Kia Kaha... must be getting boring... I guess though you need to wonder what your winning margin is going to be each game.
BlackWave
Guest
To be quite frank the margin should've been far far greater. Saying this as a NZer, Glenn Jackson is pretty hopeless and the rebels benefitted massively from having him. All the pedantic calls against the Saders just to show that he isn't biased. All he showed was ineptitude. Well played to the Saders. Looks like Lions home advantage notwithstanding they'll take it at a canter.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Mafi is one hell of a player. Good continuity with the changes but stalled late in the second half after the substitutions. Wouldn't have Dagg at fullback if Crotty can come back next week. Havii is a gem of a player.
moaman
Guest
When you think about it ;Japan have got themselves some pretty fine loosies eh Geoff?
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
Dagg looked average, usual sketchy defence. Whitelock had a storming first half. Romano is decent cover and Crockett played well, moody quiet. Havili is looking sensational. Taking off mo'ounga was surprising - he was looking in great form and his kicking is looked more assured than most other NZ 10s (other than Banks of course) But no Crotty, read or Todd - those guys are real leaders too. Saders just looking unstoppable at present.