Rebels
26
Match Complete
Crusaders
52
| 72 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 72 |  | B. Ennor | ||
| 66 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 65 | | O. Jager | ||
| C. Gordon | | 62 | ||
| F. Lomani | | 62 | ||
| 59 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 58 | | S. Reece | ||
| C. Gordon | | 56 | ||
| G. Vaihu | | 55 | ||
| 45 | | S. Reece | ||
| J. Powell | | 34 | ||
| 22 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 20 | | S. Reece | ||
| 18 | | L. Fainga'anuku | ||
| C. Gordon | | 14 | ||
| T. Hosea | | 13 | ||
| 5 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 4 | | W. Jordan | ||
| 3 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 2 | | M. Drummond |
| 4 | Tries | 8 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Crusaders head to Leichhardt Oval to take on the Melbourne Rebels knowing exactly what they need to do to clinch a spot in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final. Tune into the action on this penultimate weekend of the tournament with live scores on The Roar from 2:35pm (AEST).
The equation is simple for the Super Rugby Aotearoa champions: beat the winless Rebels by 32 points or more (assuming they score more than three tries) and a spot in the final will be theirs. However, with the Blues due to play later in the day, they’d need a monumental thrashing to earn hosting rights for the second successive tournament decider – and even that may not be enough.
For the Rebels, it’s a last chance to break through for a Trans-Tasman victory following on from a disappointing end to their Super Rugby AU campaign. Caretaker coach Kevin Foote, too, will be looking for his first win in charge, as he vies to win the role on a permanent basis.
Foote’s task, though, is made even tougher by the loss of captain Matt To’omua with a neck injury. The veteran’s absence gives an opportunity to emerging talent Glen Vaihu to start on-field for the first time in his career; while Andrew Kellaway and Frank Lomani are other rising stars to form part of the first 15, replacing Stacey Ili and Lachie Anderson.
For the Crusaders, they’ve brought in the big guns for this critical match, with Richie Mo’unga, Sevu Reece, Sam Whitelock and George Bower all back after missing the win over the Force last week. Hooker Codie Taylor has been rested for the trip west, though Brodie McAlister is back for the first time since suffering a head knock against the Reds. Cullen Grace is also out with a hip injury, with a line-up shuffle to incorporate the returning Ethan Blackadder back into the starting team.
Game information
Kick-off: 2:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Rebels $33, Crusaders $1.01 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eloff, 4. Robert Leota, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Michael Wells (c), 7. Richard Hardwick, 8 Isi Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Glenn Vaihu, 13. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Frank Lomani, 15. George Worth
Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Steve Cummins, 20. Ross Haylett-Petty, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Young Tonumaipea, 23. Illi Vudogo
Crusaders
1. George Bower, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Sioni Havili Talitui, 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Mitchell Dunshea, 20. Tom Sanders, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Dallas McLeod, 23. Manasa Mataele
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
You are right TWAS! Got offered a scholarship there I think. I know he's in University in Victoria back home in Melbourne now while playing Rebels.
Faith
Roar Rookie
When you put it tha way ... I'm less disappointed in him ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yup JD you called it ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
More than those lost opportunities mindset was the big one. Fainganuku and Tamati just needed to recycle ... pass rather than holding one. Jordan, Fainganuku are great players but need a bit more experience ...
Coker
Roar Rookie
Jordan will always makes a few mistakes because he always manages to be where the action is, but the benefits he brings outweigh the costs by at least an order of magnitude. Last night, he ran for 203 metres, made 4 clean breaks, 2 offloads, made all his tackles and was hit with a ludicrous yellow. If that's a not-great game, let's have more of them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Congratulations on a fantastic season Crusaders. Congratulations on coming through a very difficult and challenging season to both Rebels and Crusaders. It’s a funny old comp when 26-52 is a disappointing win. But that epitomises why wired this season has been. Disappointed Crusaders couldn’t get the 33pt margin, so many lost opportunities- Ennor dropping it, Jordon leg being too big, double movement call, on field decision being upheld dispute ball on line (if you had red and black glasses in - which I do). But that’s how our game rolls, sometimes it’s a game of metres, sometimes it’s centre-meters. No complaints about any of it, gotta take the good with the bad. Will still be tuning in for the final next weekend. Despite the ‘I told you so’ opportunity if the Blues win - I wrote up last year how they were rebuilding to be a powerhouse. My mainland blood means I have to go Highlanders; a bother is closer than a cousin.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Saders lost too many 1st team players - they have too many new players in their frnt 5 ... just wasn't to be ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
There were other moments where the ball should have been recycled rather than the player reach out for the tryline and score ... well all this is the power of hindsight ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Jordan didn't have a great game ... dropped pass led to Rebels try. YC led to early momentum loss when the Saders were in a groove and could have kicked on from 19 pts ahead. Those early Rebels tries came during that period ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
At times its just luck of the bounce and that wasn't with the Saders today ... they'll be more filthy about some of the tries they let in - the solo Powell one will stay in their minds ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Too many times Fainganuku carried it into contact than pass ... and there would be a knock-on or something. However some of the tries scored were just luck - ball being tossed around and everywhere ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yeah but those two missed Mounga penalties resulted in Rebel tries ...
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Agree about the Force showing plenty of ticker. Not so sure about the Rebels. Letting in 8 tries and losing by 26 points is a pretty low bar for me for "showing a bit of ticker" :laughing: It would be ugly to see that score line without that bit of ticker I guess,,,
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Well I took myself out to Leichardt on a lovely winter afternoon, along with a surprising large number of Canterbury supporters (15 minute delay to get into the ground). Predictable result and outcome with the Crusaders far more precise and faster. Their zip-zip players on the wing and flyhalf outstanding. Some observations on the Rebels: - Leota is a 6 but not a 4 or 5. I would have him ahead of Swinton and ASY as Valentini's backup. Like LSL, needs to work on his timing. - Hosea is ready for the test squad, a real lineout technician. - Naisarani a potential impact player off the bench for the Wallabies, in the 38 squad. - Uelese in the squad. - Gordon looks the part but needs to work on his passing and taking it to the line - turns sideways too much.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
you think that ARU administrators are taking their advice from The Roar comments section? or that media contracts are going to be amended after a meticulous analysis of your suggestions... :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re being disingenuous. There is zero value in posting that the Australian sides have been crap; we know that. Constructive criticism happily received; endless, mindless insults is boring. And we prefer to beat ourselves up if you don’t mind
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Almost, it wasn't quite as nervous as I expected!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That’s not how it works. Our teams are just punching bags and the margin is dictated by the Kiwi side selected or how they turn up or how bad the ref is or whether a waitress poisons them. It’s never ever about the opposition. Ever.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I tipped the Force JD, and they certainly made a genuine fight of it. Blues were always in charge, but boy, that had a semi-final feel to it.
robel
Roar Pro
This is a very prescient call from you. Played out exactly as you suggested.