Crusaders
42
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
17
| F. Burke |  | 79 | ||
| L. Fainga'anuku |  | 78 | ||
| 77 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 76 | | M. Philip | ||
| 70 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 70 | | R. Hodge | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 65 | ||
| T. Williams | | 64 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 63 | ||
| B. Hall | | 62 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 52 | ||
| E. Blackadder | | 50 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 42 | ||
| E. Blackadder | | 41 | ||
| 40 |  | R. Hodge | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 20 | ||
| C. Grace | | 19 |
| 6 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 6 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The final match of Super Rugby Pacific’s Melbourne Super Round will see the Crusaders go head to head against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:30pm AEST.
In a normal week going up against the Crusaders is a tough enough challenge but going up against them when they’ve just lost a rare game brings a new level of intensity that the Rebels are going to have to cop with.
While Rebels skipper Michael Wells said that his side weren’t going to get distracted by who the Crusaders are picking to play, his words didn’t exactly sounds as if he thought that his Rebels side could truly beat the Kiwi legends.
“The more we focus on them the more we detract from our own game so I haven’t even looked at their team list to be honest. If we roll up and play our game we will at least be up for the challenge.”
That Crusaders side will be missing Will Jordan and David Havili who are being rested while Joe Moody and Scott Barrett are also unavailable because of injury and suspension respectively.
However the players coming in still have an impressive pedigree with Jack Goodhue playing in the centres for his first appearance this season after recovering from an ACL injury. Sam Whitelock is also back after breaking his finger.
This is going to be a very tough ask for the Rebels. The Crusaders have beaten them by an average of 44 points in their past five matches including a 66-0 win in 2019. The Rebels might be the home side but that’s pretty much all that is in their favour.
Game Information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 4:30pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Crusaders $1.02, Rebels $19.00 – odds via PlayUp
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Olie Jager, Zach Gallagher, Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, George Bridge.
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.
Rebels (1-15): Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Josh Hill, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), James Tuttle, Matt To’omua, Glen Vaihu, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, George Worth, Reece Hodge.
Reserves: Efi Ma’afu, Matt Gibbon, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Canham, Tamati Ioane, Sam Wallis, Joe Powell, Carter Gordon.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Well the much derided GPS schools in Sydney and Brisbane still have excellent rugby programs - which is why so many promising league players have a few years at the likes of Scots, Nudgee, BBC and Newington. But they are having to supply too many professional teams.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Spot on Wally.
Wally James
Roar Guru
Thoughtful comment mate. Thank-you. We lose so much talent to League in Queensland and NSW and AFL in the other states. It seems to me NZ builds more skilled players because the Code competition is, basically, non-existent. Chicken and egg style stuff. NZ has factories focussed on Rugby. Australia has factories focussed on League, Australian football and Soccer (sorry old chap, I had using bad language) and Rugby. We had our factories in amateur days, it seems to me, with GPS and associated colleges, but, in the eastern states, League poaches with immediate rewards. I agree NZ has factories but only in a one factory town. Hence my despair.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Too easy in the end. Phillip had a strong game, but the Saders left a hole there that a snail could’ve sprinted through. Actually pleased with the Rebels’ endeavour tonight. They are missing a few personnel on the field, and maybe one or two in the coaching box. They were well motivated for this one.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I wish it was just talent, Wally. We see the absence of skills, and think we need skilled players. While NZ builds factories that build skills, we stand around wishing we just had ‘more skills’.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ would love to see both the Tans and Reds with the depth and skills of the Saders” So said most team administrators, most years this century :silly:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I agree Fionn. Overall, the Rebels went well, led by Hodge, Phillip, Leota. Despite the inevitable result, I was well pleased with the fight in the Rebels. That game culture may take a scalp or two in the TT.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Hardly a tape for an AB step up, probably more evidence for being back on the bench again next week – there was a reason he got dragged after an hour A bunch of arms/scrag tackles, didn’t stick 1 Demonstrated incompetence at the breakdown And he’s a space thief when he runs That was not good, either from an athletic or game understanding perspective Show me the physical presence of which you speak. Whoever put that clip on you tube did RTS no favours at all.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Bentnuc, Hodge is one of those players - like Nonu and even Pocock - who I think is actually better at the international level than at super level. Often he is really strong for the Wallabies despite being inconsistent for the Rebels. I loved his kick chase today.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Yeh I just probably had too high Hope's I guess. He was so good at 15 for the Wallabies I thought that he would push on in SR. Good to see him get a full season under the belt in one position. Today was his best but overall it hasnt been great.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
That's me!
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Too true. Credit to the Brumbies for being the best of the Australian teams. They consistently make the most of their players. For example, Andy Muirhead, who I thought was terrific today. As was Simone at inside centre. Way ahead of (sadly for this Reds fan) Jock Campbell and the Tahs Foeketi in their respective positions, but never mentioned for the Wallabies.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Not with such a drinks break, and I would still be swimming in two years time. :laughing:
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Fair comment :happy: Seriously, would love to see both the Tans and Reds with the depth and skills of the Saders. They don't need Pablo.
WEST
Roar Guru
Cant you swim? :silly:
Highlander
Roar Guru
:laughing: Yep Bad haircut right :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Harry, your chip is showing.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Yeah sure, there are a lot of things wrong with the Rebels and the injury toll is chief among them. Regardless, was just saying to Bentnuc I think it's a bit harsh to single out individuals for criticism given the environment they're playing in.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
These players may want to play test matches. Card magnets especially those associated with dangerous tackling will be marked down at selection time.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: