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Hurricanes
8
Match Complete
Crusaders
32
| 71 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 50 |  | B. Ennor | ||
| 45 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 43 | | D. Havili | ||
| 35 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| N. Laumape | | 31 | ||
| 24 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 23 | | D. Havili | ||
| 17 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 15 | | W. Jordan | ||
| J. Barrett | | 6 |
| 1 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Hurricanes and Crusaders will go head-to-head in Wellington in a clash of the top two teams in the Super Rugby competition as Round 7 gets under way with a mouth watering match up. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting clash starting from 5:35pm AEDT.
It’s always exciting when the top teams in any league go head to head but there’s something special when it involves the Canes and the Crusaders – some of the best players in the game of rugby will be on display.
For the Crusaders there are some significant names rejoining the matchday squad including the talismanic Kieran Read who will play his first match of the season after an extended offseason ahead of the World Cup.
He’s joined by Scott Barrett and Richie Mo’unga who will also start after missing last week’s loss to the Tahs in Sydney. This means impressive more grunt up front and a very high quality guiding hand at fly-half.
Of course the Canes bring their own high-quality fly-half to the contest and arguably one who is even better than Mo’unga – Beauden Barrett’s form has been good and getting better as the season progresses and it’ll be exciting to see him pulling the strings of a Canes back line that is full of pace, talent and power.
They have however lost one of their key players up front where so much of the game will be decided – Dan Coles is out with a minor calf strain and replaced by Ricky Riccitelli.
If you’re in any doubt about the exciting attacking weapons that will be taking the field on Friday just remember that the Canes have beaten 30 defenders on average per game this season – that’s more than any other team in the competition.
The Crusaders meanwhile are averaging 14 clean breaks per game – again more than any other team. The big question though is not about the attacking talent, but how the forward packs will match up.
The Canes pack has relied upon Ardie Savea a lot in the loose and without him have been lacking some real bite. The Crusaders however are looking impressive up front and that could well be where this game is won.
Prediction
The Crusaders might have lost their impressive unbeaten record last week but they are stronger this week and that forward pack is going to take some stopping.
While the Canes bring plenty of attacking power in their backs, it’s going to be the Crusaders forwards who lay the platform for another victory.
Crusaders to win by 7 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT on Friday.
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Date: Friday 29th March 2019
When: Kick off 5:35pm AEDT
TV: Foxsports
Betting: Hurricanes $2.30, Crusaders $1.60
Hurricanes
15 Chase Tiatia
14 Jordie Barrett
13 Matt Proctor
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Liam Mitchell
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Fraser Armstrong
Replacements
16 Asafo Aumua
17 Chris Eves
18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Du’Plessis Kirifi
21 Richard Judd
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop
23 Wes Goosen
Crusaders
15 David Havili
14 Braydon Ennor
13 Jack Goodhue
12 Ryan Crotty
11 George Bridge
10 Richie Mo’unga
9 Bryn Hall
8 Kieran Read
7 Matt Todd
6 Whetu Douglas
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
4 Scott Barrett
3 Michael Alaalatoa
2 Codie Taylor
1 Harry Allan
Replacements
16 Andrew Makalio
17 George Bower
18 Oliver Jager
19 Quinten Strange
20 Jordan Taufua
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Brett Cameron
23 Will Jordan
Referees
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson, Nick Hogan
TMO: Aaron Peterson
2019 Form
Hurricanes – WDWWL
Crusaders – LDWWW
Played 36
Hurricanes won 12
Crusaders won 21
Drawn 3
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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.