Expert
Crusaders
30
Match Complete
Hurricanes
26
R. Mo'unga | 72 | |||
62 | B. Barrett | |||
60 | T. Perenara | |||
R. Mo'unga | 59 | |||
S. Reece | 57 | |||
50 | B. Barrett | |||
50 | N. Laumape | |||
R. Mo'unga | 44 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 43 | |||
40 | B. Lam | |||
40 | B. Barrett | |||
39 | N. Laumape | |||
R. Mo'unga | 33 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 14 | |||
S. Reece | 12 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 2 |
3 | Tries | 4 | ||
3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
3 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Crusaders will welcome the Hurricanes to Christchurch in the second semi-final of this year’s Super Rugby competition. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting match starting from 5:35pm (AEST).
When the two highest point scoring teams in the competition go head to head in a semi-final, you know you’re in for a treat and this game has a lot to get excited about. It’s practically an All Blacks trial with so many Kiwi stars looking to impress as they go head to head with the players vying for their position in the World Cup.
The story for the line ups is pretty simple – there is only one change between both sides compared to their starting XVs from last week. The Crusaders are unchanged and the Canes have replaced injured wing Wes Goosen with Salesi Rayasi.
Rayasi had a pretty eventful match last week against the Bulls – two tries and a yellow card. The youngster’s attacking credentials were clear to see but his defensive calls were a bit off a few times so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes this week against the clinical Crusaders.
So with not much to talk about in terms of team changes the focus is on some player matchups that dreams are made of. All over the field, there are going to be stars looking to put one over on each other. Two in particular are Richie Mo’unga vs Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea vs Matt Todd.
The two form No.10s in World Rugby and the source of so many debates about who should get the starting slot for the All Blacks this year.
Mo’unga has been in incredible form recently and is arguably playing better than Barrett but many raise the point that playing behind the Crusaders pack and in a team so successful makes the ten role a hell of a lot easier. If Barrett can mastermind a win in Christchurch then the debate will quieten for a while though.
Meanwhile, Savea started the season as being on the cusp of the All Blacks. He clearly had the potential but he needed to have a good season with week in, week out top quality performances to show Steve Hansen that he was deserving of a starting spot in the Kiwi’s back row. And oh boy has he delivered.
He has been fantastic for the Canes both in attack and defence and is often the key difference between teams.
Todd hasn’t got the international recognition that many feels he deserves but his impact for the Crusaders is well known and well respected. In this matchup, where both teams will be desperate to control the breakdown, the battle between Todd and Savea is going to have fans salivating.
Prediction
While there are many who want the Canes to win because it means the Crusaders don’t make yet another final, it’s hard to ignore that the team from Christchurch have been so far ahead of other teams in their ability to compete at the highest level season after season. With the home advantage as well it’s easy to see why the men in red and black are favourites.
Crusaders by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting match starting from 5:35pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Date: Saturday 29th June 2019
When: 5:35pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Crusaders – 1.18, Hurricanes – 5.00
Overall record: Played 37, Crusaders 22, Hurricanes 12, Draws 3
Officials: Nic Berry, Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper, Paul Williams, TMO: Ben Skeen
Crusaders
15 David Havili
14 Sevu Reece
13 Jack Goodhue
12 Ryan Crotty
11 George Bridge
10 Richie Mo’unga
9 Bryn Hall
8 Kieran Read
7 Matt Todd
6 Whetukamokamo Douglas
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
4 Scott Barrett
3 Owen Franks
2 Codie Taylor
1 Joe Moody
Replacements
16 Andrew Makalio
17 George Bower
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Luke Romano
20 Jordan Taufua
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Braydon Ennor
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Salesi Rayasi
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara
8 Gareth Evans
7 Ardie Savea
6 Reed Prinsep
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
4 James Blackwell
3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen
2 Dane Coles (c)
1 Toby Smith
Replacements
16 Asafo Aumua
17 Xavier Numia
18 Ben May
19 Kane Le’aupepe
20 Vaea Fifita
21 Richard Judd
22 James Marshall
23 Jonah Lowe
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