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Crusaders
21
Match Complete
Sharks
21
| M. Hunt |  | 82 | ||
| M. Hunt |  | 80 | ||
| 74 |  | C. Bosch | ||
| 68 | | C. Bosch | ||
| M. Hunt | | 56 | ||
| J. Goodhue | | 55 | ||
| 49 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 43 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 35 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 21 | | C. Bosch | ||
| M. Hunt | | 12 | ||
| C. Taylor | | 11 | ||
| 8 | | C. Bosch |
| 3 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 7 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Crusaders take on the Sharks in a top-of-the-competition clash at AMI Stadium on Friday evening as Round 12 of Super Rugby kicks off.
This weekend sees the top four teams in the competition play off as the best from each conference go head to head. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting clash starting from 5:35pm AEST.
Now the reality is that while this match sees No.1 and No.2 in the overall competition ladder go head to head, there is actually 13 points between them in real terms.
While the Crusaders have been sweeping almost everything that is put in front of them, the Sharks have had a very up and down season.
Weirdly they’ve been incredible one week (for example beating the 2018 finalists the Lions by 37 points) and then the next time they play they’ll lose (remember Round 10 where they lost at home to the average Reds?).
For the Sharks the good news is that their side is pretty settled. Unfortunately they will be without Mtawarira upfront as he’s had to return home early through injury but they do welcome back Louis Schreuder at scrum-half and his team will need a strong performance from him.
Some Sharks fans might also get excited by the fact that the Crusaders have made a number of changes to their run on side and will be starting a less experienced lineup.
However the devil is in the detail and when you look at the names stepping in for the home side you can see it’s going to be a very tough night for the South Africans.
They’ve dropped David Havili but brought in Will Jordan – the top try scorer in the competition. They’re resting Ryan Crotty but bring in All Black Jack Goodhue.
The one chink in the Crusaders’ armour might be at fly-half. Mitchell Hunt is an exciting young talent but he’s nowhere near Richie Mo’unga and the Sharks will need to take advantage of this somehow.
They key is going to be the battle up front. Even with Sam Whitelock absent, the Crusaders have an impressive pack and it’ll need the Sharks to be at their best to win that physical battle and give their backs a chance.
While no one really expects the Sharks to win this game, the coach will want his men to force the Crusaders to work hard and genuinely earn the win.
There are only a few rounds left in the regular season and the Sharks have a slender lead at the top of the South African conference.
If they can take confidence into next week’s match against the Chiefs and pick up a rare overseas win before heading home they could set themselves up for a good run in.
Prediction
The Crusaders are going to win this one. No ifs or buts. So the challenging question is how close can the Sharks keep it? If the South Africans can pick up a losing bonus point then they should consider that a good day out.
Sadly for them the Crusaders are not only at home but they will want to give Kieran Read a night to remember as he runs out for his 150th Super Rugby appearance.
Crusaders to win by 12.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST on Friday.
Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Date: Friday 3rd May 2019
When: 5:35pm AEST
TV: Foxsports
Betting: Crusaders $1.06, Sharks $9
Crusaders
15 Will Jordan
14 Sevu Reece
13 Braydon Ennor
12 Jack Goodhue
11 George Bridge
10 Mitch Hunt
9 Bryn Hall
8 Kieran Read
7 Matt Todd (c)
6 Jordan Taufua
5 Scott Barrett
4 Mitchell Dunshea
3 Michael Alaalatoa
2 Codie Taylor
1 Joe Moody
Replacements
16 Ben Funnell
17 Isi Tu’ungafasi
18 Oliver Jager
19 Luke Romano
20 Ethan Blackadder
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Brett Cameron
23 Tim Bateman
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Sbu Nkosi
13 Lukhanyo Am
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Makazole Mapimpi
10 Curwin Bosch
9 Louis Schreuder (c)
8 Daniel du Preez
7 Jean-Luc du Preez
6 Philip van der Walt
5 Ruan Botha
4 Ruben van Heerden
3 Coenie Oosthuizen
2 Kerron van Vuuren
1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements
16 Akker van der Merwe
17 Mzamo Majola
18 John-Hubert Meyer
19 Hyron Andrews
20 Jacques Vermeulen
21 Cameron Wright
22 Robert du Preez
23 Marius Louw
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referee: Mike Fraser James Munro
TMO: Glenn Newman
2019 Form
Crusaders – WWWBW
Sharks – LWLLW
Played 22
Crusaders won 18
Sharks won 4
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.