Crusaders
39
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
0
| R. Reihana |  | 79 | ||
| J. McNicholl |  | 78 | ||
| R. Reihana | | 72 | ||
| S. Reece | | 71 | ||
| R. Reihana | | 63 | ||
| O. Franks | | 62 | ||
| R. Reihana |  | 49 | ||
| C. Lio-Willie | | 43 | ||
| C. Grace | | 16 | ||
| C. Lio-Willie | | 9 |
| 6 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Beating the Crusaders in Christchurch is usually a huge ask, but the Rebels will fancy their chances after the defending champions were stunned by the Force last week. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 5:05pm (AEST).
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Match information
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Crusaders $1.22, Rebels $4.35 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Heremaia Murray, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
RESERVES: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, David Havili, Chay Fihaki
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Rob Leota, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Nick Hogan, Anthony Petrie.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
He he Short-Blind, like you I often cruised down the blind side, but the short blinds made it too easy for their flanker to knock me over (rugby wise I was short, mainly centres and 5/8th with a lousy pass). :silly: And yes, I did get your "sneaky dark arts" mention. McCaw was the master but those damn kiwis have made it into an art form. Always better at it than we suckers from the big island. :crying: Well at least we won the cricket this year. (cries with that small consolation)!
Short-Blind
Roar Rookie
TF I'm actually tall and can see but I love sniping down 'short blinds'. I'll translate it for you 'sneaky work around the rucks' = McCaw = taught at Crusaders academy = winning attacking breakdowns. It's a subtle dark art; but as you know, they are better at it than us.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh to blame Carter when the forwards left their attitudes in Richmond...
Just call me Campo
Roar Rookie
Rebels very very lucky to be nil. Fmd
Dean
Roar Rookie
Not as bad as you think. Crusaders made the most of their opportunities. Rebels got whistled off the park at scrum time (incorrectly). Don’t be too forlorn.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Yeah, they were very clunky apart from the last try. Will hopefully continue to improve. The front 8 were totally dominant especially in the set piece
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Well said Short and Blind and you raise some good points there. Regarding the sprigs, was the ground a bog or slippery as Apollo stadium at Christchurch looks a club ground rather than a top franchise ground? And very astute to see their sneaky work around the rucks. Then again, everyone knows this is the Crusaders bread and butter, win the battle of the rucks and set pieces and the game is yours to lose. :stoked:
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Glad to have missed that
Noodles
Roar Rookie
You couldn't mistake the plain intent, which was physical. Saders pack was huge, but the fierce physicality in the backs also said something about their thinking. Just as the Ponies didn't turn up against the Blues with their heads set for physical intensity, Rebels arrived at Christchurch unprepared for what was waiting. Let's see if any Oz team is ready for what NZ teams bring at the business end of the season.
Redman
Roar Rookie
Dreadful performance from the Rebels. Up there with the worst I’ve ever seen from them. Forwards were battered and Carter Gordon was awful
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
The Canes are doing ok with that .
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
S.Barrett was great, the Saders forwards are a different proposition playing at home. In the Roar tipping contest I mentioned they are starting to hit their straps considering they beat the Chiefs at this ground also in their only other victory and Barrett will improve them. But I was at their game against TNT and the Saders were diabolical in that game. I’ll hold all the accolades back till I see how they go from here. They play the Reds also at Apollo stadium next week but then have the Highlanders and Brumbies away. They then play the Blues and finally Moana Pasifika with both at home. That should tell us their chances and how well they are playing. :silly:
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Judging by the number of Chiefs jerseys I see in Sydney are you sure it's an away game?
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
How very Raynal of you :silly:
Lano
Roar Guru
Agree the subs came on too early. Too much expected of Tooopoe. Silly scrum decisions too.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
I gave up at 16, only to referee. Clearly still have some compromised cells! :laughing:
Mirt
Roar Rookie
The chiefs might just do that next
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
The Saders gave the Rebels plenty of opportunities tonight... Rebels couldn't catch, couldn't pass and couldn't scrum!
HiKa
Roar Rookie
The big missing factor in the Rebels scrum is Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. When the scrum is going backwards as fast as the Rebels did tonight, it's not just a front row problem - the five blokes behind them were not even close to adequate.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Lucky the rebels won last 3 as may still slip into top8…touch and go…as they are not a top 4 side