Crusaders
24
Match Complete
Reds
20
| 71 |  | H. Speight | ||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 54 | ||
| L. Fainga'anuku | | 52 | ||
| 46 | | T. Tupou | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 44 | ||
| G. Bridge | | 43 | ||
| 25 | | H. Wilson | ||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 19 | ||
| 14 | | C. Feauai-Sautia | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 11 | ||
| J. Moody | | 10 |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Crusaders host the Reds this evening at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:05pm AEDT.
The last time the Reds beat the Crusaders, they drank beer from the silver octopus they won in the 2011 Super Rugby grand final in Suncorp Stadium. Since then, the two teams played seven times, with the same sad result for the Queenslanders.
The worst result was a 41-point loss under Richard Graham’s guidance in Christchurch. The best result was a narrow loss at home under Nick Stiles, which I witnessed live at Suncorp.
Brad Thorn had a crack at this former team last year when they lost in Christchurch by ten points. However, at close inspection, Scott Robertson’s boys had the Reds under the pump since the ninth minute after the South Islanders scored their second try.
At that time, it was the Crusaders’ 18th consecutive win which culminated eventually in their third Super Rugby title. Today, Robertson will aim for his third in a row this year, after losing away to the Chiefs by ten points in Round 2.
The Reds may have an opportunity to do well in this match considering the Robertson has selected fives rookies, including debutant Dallas McLeod at inside centre and a single-cap scrumhalf in 22-year-old Ere Enari. Enari will match up against 26-year-old two-cap Reds scrumhalf Scott Malolua.
Tate McDermott will return to the field from the bench today. Isaac Lucas returns to start the game as chief playmaker due to a James O’Connor ankle injury. The Reds’ front and back rows are intact. They will shore up some of the Queensland toughness by starting Lukhan Salakaia-Loto as loosehead lock, who will match up against the returning Crusaders captain Scott Barrett.
The Reds set piece was dismantled by the Sharks last week, and will need to redeem itself today. The Crusaders may be a bit rusty due to their week off – although that may just have been an opportunity to rest before getting stuck into their next victim.
Prediction
Almost everyone believes the Reds will lose badly today. However, it is a chance for the Queenslanders to redeem themselves by playing well against a team injected with some rookies. If the Reds can defend well and finally execute their breakdowns for 80 minutes, they may cause an upset or narrow loss.
However, the Crusaders are too organised and dynamic. The Reds backrow is still too inexperienced. While their attack coach is excellent, the Reds’ game management, work in the loose scrum, defence, and place-kicking are all underwhelming. Maybe with the return of Bryce Hegarty they may improve that a bit.
Anyway, the Crusaders should clock a comfortable win this eventing. But except some big hits!
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Crusaders
15 George Bridge, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Leicester Faingaanuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ere Enari, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Manasa Mataele
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Isaac Lucas, 9 Scott Malolua, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith
Substitutes: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (NZ), Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
TMO: Shane McDermot (NZ)
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Ben Perkins
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Coulda, shoulda, woulda
Clifto
Roar Pro
Nah. 6-tackle touch footy mate
Kaspa
Roar Rookie
Everything right except his defense in the 31st minute (the number 8 is supposed to cover that channel and we lost 60 meters), 51st minute (cost us a try because he went for a big hit instead of drifting, leaving 1 red marking 3 players); the white line fever that led to the knock on at the 30th minute when we were 5 meters out with LSL (?) unmarked outside him; the inability to drive in a maul (see the line-out that led to our first try as a great example). You can watch the youtube highlights for most of those examples. He's a good player; a great athlete; but he's got a lot missing from his decision making ability. McWreight did more in the 1/2 he was on for and the sooner we start him the more games we win.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Don’t think I’ve seen him at wing. Doesn’t seem the type, he’s a 15/10 I think.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I have read he doesn't kick anymore due to injuries which I don't believe during the rwc he was interviewed and he said "I can goal kick, I do have that up my sleeve but I haven't been able to practise much at the moment," he said.
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
JOC has enough to worry about in directing young players around the field. He might not do that as well if he also has the worry of goal-kicking?
Double Agent
Guest
It must've been very early the Vics taught him how to kick. I recall seeing him play for Qld schools U16s.
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
Can Hegarty play on the wing? Jock has really been a revelation since put at fullback and I'm wondering if he'd still have the same effect on the wing. One way or another the Reds need to sort a kicker out.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
So not wrong then ?
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
The thing is, I think all those players who played last night, deserve to be on the park. Most players doing well. It’s just how Thorn sorts this kicking problem out to work in our favor is the key at the moment.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I think I’d have to put Hegarty back at 10. I think a pretty good Hegarty at 10 with his goal kicking skills can at least ignite our outside backs and get our forwards doing what they do. And If Lucas could kick as well as Hegarty I’d put him in as 10 too. It’s kind of back to the Mike Harris predicament. It’s a tough call for Thorn but Hegarty has to on the park. Jock Campbell deserves to be on the park for his rugby, not his kicking though. I think putting a part timer in as kicker, hurts their general game performance if they door poorly. Jock Campbell is a good young player, but obviously not a kicker. We are so close , but still so far...still love ya Reds though!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s just funny this supposed reality people create in their minds. Just block out what doesn’t suit their narrative.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Highlander wrote this about Hegarty last year: "Most tries scored, highest goal kicking percentage, most total points, equal first in total scoring events (tries and try assists), most line breaks, most kick metres, longest metres per kick, most run metres, highest run metres per game, second highest tackle efficiency percentage, fewest handling errors, fewest turnovers, fewest penalties conceded, fewest kicking errors." Does Brad think Heggs is too old!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, I had thought about posting, but didn't think it was even worth it. Facts often don't seem to matter compared to the narrative.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Dunno about JOC. But Hegarty is otherwise decent. And also a decent 15, it’s not like they’d have to carry him in the XV just to have a kicker.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
You might end up living in a caravan. I'm suck of the word "potential". Results are all rhat count !
Garry
Guest
Thorn is probably a forward coach, not a head coach/manager. Reds roled the dice by giving him that much control without a track record. But for how long can it go on?
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
Can JOC not kick any more, he used to kick for the Wallabies didn't he? Ironically even Hegarty shanked the hell outta his one kick
soapit
Roar Guru
made some poor efforts as well