Crusaders
66
Match Complete
Rebels
0
| R. Crotty |  | 81 | ||
| R. Crotty |  | 80 | ||
| S. Reece | | 74 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 60 | ||
| D. Havili | | 60 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 57 | ||
| B. Ennor | | 56 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 52 | ||
| S. Reece | | 51 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 49 | ||
| B. Hall | | 48 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 41 | ||
| B. Ennor | | 40 | ||
| B. Ennor | | 29 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 16 | ||
| D. Havili | | 15 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 9 | ||
| S. Reece | | 8 |
| 10 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 8 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Rebels cross the Tasman to tackle the Crusaders in Christchurch. Join The Roar from 5:30pm AEST for this Super Rugby showdown.
The Crusaders will be looking to bounce back from their stunning loss to the Chiefs in Fiji. They started brilliantly in Suva, but were overpowered in the second half in the most dramatic of contests.
Considering it was only the Crusaders’ second loss of the season, they will want a positive response. They remain on top of the comp by a far margin.
Vice-captain Ryan Crotty will make his 150th Super Rugby appearance in this game and the West Stand at Christchurch Stadium has been renamed the ‘Ryan Crotty Stand’ for the occasion.
The Crusaders have made just two changes since getting back from Fiji with Matt Todd returning to the starting side in place of Billy Harmon, and Bryn Hall also moving to the starting line up. Ereatara Enari will provide scrumhalf cover.
Prop Tim Perry is also back and has been picked on the bench.
The Rebels suffered a bitter defeat to the Waratahs last weekend and will want to get back on the horse. They need a win to keep their hold of second place in the Aussie conference, with the Tahs making a late rally.
But it won’t be easy for the Melbournians as they will be without several of their big guns.
Seven changes have been made to their starting XV with Wallaby hooker Jordan Uelese back in and a new halves combination in the shape of Michael Ruru and Matt To’omua.
Will Genia has been rested while the influential Marika Koroibete is on the bench along with Quade Cooper.
Sam Talakai, Angus Cottrell, Tom English, and Billy Meakes will all make their return to the starting XV, while Harrison Goddard joins the bench.
Prediction
With such a mish-mash side this is a huge ask for the Rebels on the South Island. The Crusaders will be out to atone for Fiji and they are not the league leaders and defending champs for nothing. Expect a red-shirted onslaught. There will be blood.
Crusaders to win by 15 points.
Where: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
When: 5:30pm AEST
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Crusaders $1.10, Draw $66, Rebels $10
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 George Bower, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Ere Enari, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Ngane Punivai.
Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Tom English, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Marika Koroibete.
Lee Byron
Roar Rookie
RA doesn't want this mess but they created it.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
PS - second "Price" should read "Prize".
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
TK Thanks for brutal truth. Glad at least, to have expectations confirmed for Matt Philip. Even with Ardie Savea as player of tournament so far, Philip easily gets my vote for 'Ray Price Price for Most Consistently Performing Australian Forward' (nudging Hoops of course). Had assumed must have been a masterclass by Crusaders, hope they get the challenges they truly deserve (I mean this in the most positive way), including the Jags, this final series. Cheers KP
terrykidd
Roar Pro
So sad you missed it KP. You missed Maddocks and Hodge running around with "We don't do defence" signs on their chests. You missed DHP and Maddocks being totally out of position in defence constantly. You missed Toomua displaying his non-existant playmaking skills. You missed Naisarani putting in for 10 minutes then clocking off. You missed Jones forgetting to alight from the team bus. You missed the next big thing in Ulelese, in fact everyone missed him. Was he even on the field? You missed Coleman counting his Pounds Sterling and forgetting to play rugby. You missed Philip trying his heart out but being the only Rebel to do so. And lastly you missed Quade coming on for the last 10 minutes and being totally uninterested. Did he even get a touch or make a tackle? But mainly you missed some wonderful rugby from the Saders. It was truly awesome to watch.
Mocko
Guest
This failed experiment has to end. $10sMILLIONS wasted. This will strengthen Qld and tah rugby and bring the crowds back. Remember when qlders played for qld.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Cheers mate, Isi did make some strong metres. Definitely a positive
Ralph
Roar Guru
Multiple lineout steals. Naisarani makes ground with two on him.
ols
Roar Pro
The Rebels were lucky to get 0 :)
Darkhorse
Guest
So.....the Brumbies are the original sin... Hatred getting biblical
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Derek You imply, that it was beyond RA's collective competence, to avoid the same mess. With apologies to BH, even a one-eyed drover's dog, should have sidestepped this poo. No hindsight required. Management requires foresight. Conclusion? Cheers KP
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
So glad I missed this.
Danny
Roar Pro
Stolen was inflammatory I shouldn’t have used that word. And yes the most successful franchise since 1996. But I doubt a Canberra team would exist if 2019 was a blank canvas and RA was starting from scratch. Canberra doesn’t have the grass roots rugby scene like NSW or QLD or even WA. It doesn’t have a sporting market like VIC. I argue the original sin was ARU dropping a new franchise into Canberra in 1996. It could have dropped Macqueen and his discards into Melbourne and 23 years later that great sporting city could have three titles (all else equal) and perhaps a brand as strong as Storm attracting talent from that huge market. Instead RA now has its most successful pro franchise stuck in a small market with weak grass roots and 9k finals crowds. It’s often much easier to layer on fresh mistakes (like canning WA) rather than admit the original ones. If RA had done the latter it would have left franchises in the three eastern states and WA after the recent downsizing. Just the 30,000 foot view from a guy who lived in Sydney for 20 years who despite his icon has great affinity for the Aus game. And no it doesn’t fix any result from the weekend!
Piri
Guest
Forget this result...If under 20 rugby is anything to go by then Aus rugby has a bright future...smacked the U20 ABs and this morning smashed Ireland!! Crusaders revival in last 3yr due to an impressive u20 class coming thro.
riddler
Roar Rookie
And a few from qld, Brett Robinson and pat Howard for starters.
Pogo
Roar Rookie
1. brumbies have never been bailed out by ARU, every other franchise has at least once 2. brums are the most successful Oz franchise 3. The initial brums team was discards from NSW not stolen, But don’t let facts get in the way.
Lara
Guest
Holy crap, what the hell happen....just woke up in NY.
Double Agent
Guest
He got on.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Got a question guys. Did Cooper get on the pitch? And is he due a rest game? I know he hasn’t been in the Wallabies system and he still might not be, so if he didn’t get on is that counted as a rest? All very confusing...
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I only caught the first half too but that’s because I couldn’t stand to watch any more
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Give it a rest. You really think RA want this current mess?