The Rebels are out to get their finals chances back on track when they host the Crusaders in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:45pm (AEST).
It’s going to be a tough day at the office for the home side.
Looking at the overall competition ladder, it’s first versus seventh, so should arguably be competitive. But the reality is that there is a big gap between the two.
The Rebels have been on a downward spiral recently, losing their past four games, including a bad slip against the Jaguares. The hope of the opening weeks of the competition have been replaced slowly but surely with frustration from fans.
If Melbourne are going to get their fans excited again, then a couple of key players need good games. Unsurprisingly, all eyes and hopes will be on Will Genia – the returning halfback has the ability to dominate teams and the Rebels need him at his best
Also important is going to be how competitive Colby Fainga’a can be at the breakdown. If the scavenger can slow down Crusaders ball and maybe even steal the odd one, then his side might stop the potent Kiwi back line from getting fast ball in space.
For the Crusaders, coach Scott Robertson has made seven changes to the team that won in Canberra a few days ago. Perhaps most exciting is the return to flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. Having had four plates and four screws inserted in his jaw in early March, he’ll be keen to impress in his first game back.
The visitors have built momentum, but they can’t afford to falter, at just one point ahead of the Hurricanes and five clear of the Highlanders – but both those sides have a game in hand. A good win here will put pressure on the chasing pack.
Prediction
Hopefully the Rebels put up more resistance than the Brumbies did last week but, even if they do, it’ll be another win for the Kiwis on Aussie soil.
Crusaders to win by 18.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45pm (AEST).
Faith
Guest
Actually a bye might work against them. Just look at the Chiefs. They really missed Cane - all the Tahs have to do is hold onto the ball and go through their processes and get the Blues frustrated. Also, they need be perfect in their set pieces ...
Baz
Guest
yeah, massive effort and very entertaining game. full marks.
Johnny Boy
Guest
Exactly. Auckland Rugby's biggest concern is not losing their talented youngsters to other NZ Super teams but rather to NRL clubs. It annoys me no end to see so many NRL scouts at every NZ schoolboy rugby tournament. They love to go on about their great depth in league but it wouldn't be half as impressive if they didn't poach so many of our young talented Union players.
richard
Guest
Thanks.
Baz
Guest
:) yeah Taufua is an easy get by comparison
Nobrain
Roar Guru
I answer. Big question and important one. HC of Los Pumas will be under a lot of pressure. He never wanted to bring players from Europe and Los Pumas were virtually Jaguares with a different shirt. If they do not perform well in the next window and RCH will the HC stand? I will say now and Ledesma will take over. The question will always be why do we have two different coaches for what is basically the same team. If Hourcade finally decdide to bring player from Europe who is he going to call? Isa is ou for 6 month. Imohf plays in a position that it is well taken care off at this time. May be Figallo , Noguera Paz , and Herrera. The only position a feel is in need is fly- half, only Nicolas Sanchez is playing and he is taken so much time on the field. So your question cannot has no answer and ae will have to wait an see.
Harry
Guest
Absolutely outstanding performance from the Jaguares. Great for the competition and good to see progress out of Argentina. Serious question ... Has any side ever won all 4 games on an Australian and New Zealand tour before in the history of Super Rugby?
richard
Guest
A question for you.If Mario Ledesma keeps this up,would the Pumas management look at bringing him on board ( regards next years RWC)? And congrats on your wins,well done.
Tony
Guest
yeah agree wait until Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi Chiefs halfback gets increased game time wldnt want to be a commentator - even Hansen says Triple T :)
moaman
Guest
Tony/Baz The guy's name is Taufua (Tow-foo-ah)...spot the 'U'. His name was mispronounced all game but no need for us Roarers to perpetuate the mistake eh? ;-)
moaman
Guest
Cliff---Australian Rugby is poorly served by it's TV commentators imo. For too long they have pulled the wool over fans' eyes....spouting nonsense and harping about refereeing decisions and 'bad luck' whilst operating as an Old Boys' club....
Baz
Guest
He still had the most rum meters in the game. A fete which he accomplishes most games. Tafua had a great game last night for sure and Mafi did not contain him.
Train without a station
Guest
But isn’t him planning his bucks to occur the first day of the bye week exactly that?
Tony
Guest
Fionn in another blog also thinks Mafi is the worlds best nbr 8 and best nbr 7 - 2 positions quote -" In my opinion the best 8 in the world, and the best 7 ? Mafi’s a freak and is up there with Retallick, Barrett and Marx as the best player in Super Rugby."unquote thats a huge call - I think he was schooled by Jordan Tafua last night and he cant get in the AB frame at all - just my opinion
enoughisenough
Guest
Fair go Riddler. Thorn might be trying, but there's little evidence he is succeeding. Reds defence has been atrocious for large parts of the year, and only rarely have they looked cohesive. Even the much vaunted win against the Lions was almost blown by atrocious defence in the second half. And that game came at the back of 3 absolute thrashings. Had the Lions 10 had a better night with the boot they would have won. As much as you want to create some myth around Thorn, the reality is there for all to see. He's a work in progress as a coach, and his inexperience has been laid bare. I hope for the sake of the Reds he gets his coaching smarts soon, however wish he'd been given the time to learn elsewhere, before coming into the top job at the Reds.
Bye Weeks
Guest
Funny how the Tahs are held back from facing NZ, and gifted a bye week just before the onslaught of Kiwi Teams. Yet, every other Aussie team faces NZ amidst regular games without the chance for a rest. And, the Tahs are to face an injury riddled underachieving Blues team at home. If the Tahs lose this one we really are a joke!
Ed
Guest
I don't know what was worse last night - the Rebels defence or Genia's injury. Probably the latter. Our chances to win the Irish series have become a wee harder. https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabies/big-blow-for-wallabies-with-halfback-will-genia-set-to-miss-ireland-tests/news-story/b55d39e6102852bf6d44341a04cbde62
KFar
Guest
A drunk halfback pissing in a bar after his stags is also what's wrong. Sure the guys deserve a life outside of rugby, but where is the commitment? Every pro sportsman knows that you have to sacrifice your personal life if you want results.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
it is not just the Rebels - it is all Australian franchises
riddler
Guest
cliff... thorn is trying to build that.. character and heart.. teamwork.. defence.. i truly do not care about tries.. tries will come.. i care about heart and teamwork.. no d-h's.. aussie rugby will come back.. we just need a bit of a clean out of the journeymen and the egomaniacs.. .