Chiefs
34
Match Complete
Crusaders
24
| D. McKenzie |  | 80 | ||
| T. Thompson |  | 78 | ||
| S. Stevenson | | 72 | ||
| 70 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 68 | ||
| 62 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 61 | | F. Burke | ||
| 52 | | |||
| D. McKenzie | | 45 | ||
| B. Retallick | | 44 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 41 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 30 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 17 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 6 | ||
| 5 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 4 | | T. Williams |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 5 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Chiefs are back to full strength with co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber returning for the visit of the defending champions after missing last week’s 50-17 win over Drua. Join The Roar from 5.05pm AEST for live scores.
Also back are Luke Jacobson and Emoni Narawa while Tupou Vaa’i will start alongside Brodie Retallick in their second row.
Damian McKenzie shifts to No.10 and Shaun Stevenson returns to fullback.
Aidan Ross and George Dyer are also back as first-choice props among their eight changes to the starting side.
Tighthead prop Oli Jager will make his first appearance of the season from the bench for the Crusaders.
Winger Leicester Fainga’anuku is back after missing the last two games with a calf strain, and will start in the No.11 jersey.
All Black veteran Sam Whitelock will play his 350th first class game.
Game Information
Venue: FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Chiefs $1.50 Crusaders $2.60 – odds via Playup
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson.
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Lalomilo Lalomilo/ Falefa Sinamoga.
Crusaders (1-15): Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Dom Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Fergus Burke.
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Jack Goodhue, Macca Springer
Referee: Angus Gardner
WEST
Roar Guru
Not a lot of international experience.. at all really. Guess it’s a gamble, it will either pay off or flunk. Doesn’t help a lot of the experience players are going into retirement or moving on. It’s going to be very green all round. Can only hope for the best, can’t imagine it getting worse than Fozzie era. But ya never know? Might be a few teething problems in the beginning.
Andrew Nichols
Roar Rookie
I would say to my now grownup kids when I took them to the footy is "We are silent when kicks are taken and applaud all good play" just as my dad said to me
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The speed of the jacklers and cleaners was epic. A minor points decision to the Chiefs.
Wig
Roar Rookie
userpays that came out in the 80s 90s I believe
Wig
Roar Rookie
Yep stans $25 for sports thats only 4 of those milkshake coffees at the coffee bar or a 6pack from the bottl0
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
What I liked also about the game, it was test match intensity and quality I thought, and interstingly enough show strengths and perhaps weaknesses of players at this level. I will say I thought Sam Cane was close to MOTM for mine, and Jacobson was bloody good to. Crusaders probably edged it in the tighties, but I really believe Chiefs clearly won in the 6-10,12 axis! RMo showed his vulnerability against top defence that he show at times in tests, and kind of drifts deeper into pocket and waits for someone else to do playmaker role at times, and usually Havili does it for him, but didn't last night. I also becoming more convinced Nawarra on wing is going to be the smokey in ABs this year, he was bloody good again last night.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Awesome that you were married there, times that you will not forget. :thumbup:
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Me too! Just beautiful people, aye?! Stoked I got married there :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Bugger! You nailed it Fred.. :stoked: :thumbup: I have ended up with 5 from 6, not happy with my Crusaders for letting me down.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
The Crusaders in 1996 only played the Blues once though, not twice, as it was a straight round robin.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Make that 6/6 + I nailed the margin at 5. That's called perfection I think :laughing:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
They are Adam, I enjoy watching them as much as the game itself. :happy: :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Yes! Plenty of daisies wearing cowbells :laughing: Plus the music being played during the game was more than a joke.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
100% Tim, the Fijian crowd is all class :thumbup:
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Nice summary of the game there West, agree on all your points. Will just add another observation if I may, that Jacobson is severely underrated. Reckon he’s nearly back to his previous standard that got him his AB call-up…thoughts?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, they were great. The European crowds seem to have the “respect the kicker” nailed. And this isn’t to single out the Hamilton crowd, plenty of other crowds are just as bad. Although this is the only one with bloody cow bells lol
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
While I am an advocate for Razor, the coaching team looks very green...I was actually hoping Razor might entice coaches like Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, or perhaps someone like Vern Cotter, to get overseas experience in there to look more like the 2004 appointments. It is a wait and see if Razor has chosen wisely...
Wrecked 'em
Roar Rookie
He did. He contributed to a great game.
WEST
Roar Guru
I actually thought Razor might include Clayton McMillan.. He thought he might get approached by Scotty, but he’s gone with Canes & Blues coaches instead.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Certainly the crowd was an embarrassment Paulo, they would do well to learn from the Fijian supporters.