Planet Rugby Forum

WHEN:

Saturday 28th April

KICK OFF:

7.35pm local time

WHERE:

Canberra, Australia



VENUE:

GIO Stadium, Canberra



REFEREE:

Jaco Peyper



TEAMS:

1 Tim Perry
2 Codie Taylor
3 Owen Franks
4 Scott Barrett
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
7 Matt Todd (vc)
8 Jordan Taufua

9 Bryn Hall
10 Mike Delany
11 Seta Tamanivalu
12 Ryan Crotty (vc)
13 Tim Bateman
14 Israel Dagg
15 David Havili


Reserves: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 Mitch Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele

15. Tom Banks
14. Henry Speight
13. Tevita Kuridrani
12. Andrew Smith
11. Chance Peni
10. Wharenui Hawera
9. Joe Powell

8. Isi Naisarani
7. Tom Cusack
6. Blake Evener
5. Sam Carter (c)
4. Rory Arnold
3. Allan Alaalatoa
2. Folau Fainga’a
1. Scott Sio


Reserves: Robbie Abel, Faalelei Sione, Ben Alexander, Darcy Swain, Lolo Fakaosilea, Matt Lucas, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andy Murihead

Not so long ago this was one of the most intense rivalries in this competition. One of the rare, cross-country rivalries that existed in Super Rugby. And despite the fact that the Crusaders have dominated this contest over the last decade, the Brumbies are still a very good team and they'll be bloody tough to beat in Canberra.

Match Brumbies v Crusaders @ GIO Stadium, Canberra
Date Saturday 28 April
Kick-off 19:45 local
Referee Jaco Peyper
AR1 Will Houston
AR2 Jordan way
TMO Ian Smith

ElementFreak wrote: Referee Jaco Peyper

Hmmmm, I like Peyper. But he is a bit of a 'homer' and has smashed the Crusaders on occasion. In saying that, he refereed last year's final which we won on Johannesburg, so it's hard to be too critical. I will say that he comes across as a really nice guy and decent person

If the Brumbies forwards keep the ball away from their own backline they could keep the score respectable, say a 20 point loss...

Slim 293 wrote:If the Brumbies forwards keep the ball away from their own backline they could keep the score respectable, say a 20 point loss...

I think you're under-selling your team.

This year's Crusasders team is a very different vintage from the class of 2017. They are nowhere near as good.

I have to admit that I have not watched a single Brumbies game this year, but looking at your team list from last week, that is a very strong pack. You've got quality in the backrow, locks and front row. The Crusaders will need to be at their best to win the game, especially in chilly Canberra.

Tom Banks, James Dargaville, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Chance Peni, Wharenui Hawera, Matt Lucas, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Tom Cusack, Blake Enever, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Sam Carter, Michael Oakman-Hunt, Joe Powell, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Smith

With all respect to the SA teams that we have played so far this year, on paper this will be the toughest non-NZ team we have come up against.

Ali's Choice wrote:With all respect to the SA teams that we have played so far this year, on paper this will be the toughest non-NZ team we have come up against.

Yes... paper.

We all know how tough paper is on the field right.

Anyways. Oz rugby is up the shitter. Will be a 50 point drubbing by the saders.... but scoring majority of points by penalty kicks and only 2 tries... both coming from mauls. Snore.

Ali's Choice wrote:

Slim 293 wrote:If the Brumbies forwards keep the ball away from their own backline they could keep the score respectable, say a 20 point loss...

I think you're under-selling your team.

This year's Crusasders team is a very different vintage from the class of 2017. They are nowhere near as good.

I have to admit that I have not watched a single Brumbies game this year, but looking at your team list from last week, that is a very strong pack. You've got quality in the backrow, locks and front row. The Crusaders will need to be at their best to win the game, especially in chilly Canberra.

Tom Banks, James Dargaville, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Chance Peni, Wharenui Hawera, Matt Lucas, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Tom Cusack, Blake Enever, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Sam Carter, Michael Oakman-Hunt, Joe Powell, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Smith

What's funny Slim? That's a bloody good pack. It is test standard. Throw in an all-Wallaby midfield, genuine pace in the outside backs and one of the most exciting halves combinations in Australia, and the Brumbies are a complete team. The you throw in home advantage, and Brumbies fans should be optimistic of a win.

Ali's Choice wrote:one of the most exciting halves combinations in Australia

The team is fine TBH. Just look completely listless. Bit sad really.

This round and next round present a couple of niggly games for the Crusaders.

The Brumbies in Canberra should never be taken lightly. Then there's the Rebels in Melbourne and the Crusaders really don't like playing the Rebels...

Merciless wrote:This round and next round present a couple of niggly games for the Crusaders.

The Brumbies in Canberra should never be taken lightly. Then there's the Rebels in Melbourne and the Crusaders really don't like playing the Rebels...

I agree. Over the next fortnight we'll get a really clear idea of where the Crusaders are at in terms of form. Realistically we cannot expect to win both games, although doing so would obviously be awesome and set up for success going into the June tests. One win and a loss would be acceptable from two away games against decent opposition. Two losses would derail our season.

Zakar wrote:The team is fine TBH. Just look completely listless. Bit sad really.

They look uninterested. I think there may be a coach issue.

Brumbie_Steve wrote:

Zakar wrote:The team is fine TBH. Just look completely listless. Bit sad really.

They look uninterested. I think there may be a coach issue.

Most definitely...

Stronger squad than last year, sans Fardy, but a major step down in coaching and apparently the players aren’t particularly happy...

Pocock out with a calf injury...

'saders by 50.

Scott SIO
Folau FAINGA’A
Allan ALAALATOA
Rory ARNOLD
Sam CARTER
Blake ENEVER
Tom CUSACK
Isi NAISARANI
Joe POWELL
Wharenui HAWERA
Chance PENI
Andrew SMITH
Tevita KURIDRANI
Henry SPEIGHT
Tom BANKS

REPLACEMENTS

Robbie ABEL
Faalelei SIONE
Ben ALEXANDER
Darcy SWAIN
Lolo FAKAOSILEA
Matt LUCAS
Jordan JACKSON-HOPE
Andy MUIRHEAD

We're going to get unwillingly DP'd without our cock out there.




No Godwin is a good thing, and Muirhead/JJH is some decent impact off the bench. Very chuffed about Smith at 12, he's incredibly under-rated and almost never has a bad game. Lilo really should have been played for this game, we really needed his leadership and game management out there.

Crusaders:

David Havili
Israel Dagg
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Seta Tamanivalu
Mike Delany
Bryn Hall
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
Sam Whitelock (captain),
Scott Barrett
Owen Franks
Codie Taylor
Tim Perry

Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

Obviously Goodhue and Mo'unga being rested for another week.

JPNZ wrote:Crusaders:

David Havili
Israel Dagg
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Seta Tamanivalu
Mike Delany
Bryn Hall
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
Sam Whitelock (captain),
Scott Barrett
Owen Franks
Codie Taylor
Tim Perry

Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

Obviously Goodhue and Mo'unga being rested for another week.

Don't like that Robertson has reverted to the Havili/Dagg/Tamanivalu combination despite Bridge and Mataele being by far our form outside backs. I know the combination served him well last season, but it strikes me as a pretty conservative selection. Hopefully Havili & Tamanivalu can re-discover last years's form quickly.

Not convinced by Bedwell-Curtis over Samu either. Delaney over Hunt I can understand.

On the bright side, that's probably the strongest forward pack we've fielded so far this year, and Bryn Hall is back after Drummond's shocker last week. Good to see Crockett back on the bench too

mrbrownstone wrote:

JPNZ wrote:Crusaders:

David Havili
Israel Dagg
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Seta Tamanivalu
Mike Delany
Bryn Hall
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
Sam Whitelock (captain),
Scott Barrett
Owen Franks
Codie Taylor
Tim Perry

Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

Obviously Goodhue and Mo'unga being rested for another week.

Don't like that Robertson has reverted to the Havili/Dagg/Tamanivalu combination despite Bridge and Mataele being by far our form outside backs. I know the combination served him well last season, but it strikes me as a pretty conservative selection. Hopefully Havili & Tamanivalu can re-discover last years's form quickly.

Not convinced by Bedwell-Curtis over Samu either. Delaney over Hunt I can understand.

On the bright side, that's probably the strongest forward pack we've fielded so far this year, and Bryn Hall is back after Drummond's shocker last week. Good to see Crockett back on the bench too

Completely agree RE: Bedwell-Curtis and Samu. I have been really impressed with Samu over the last two seasons.

I also would have considered putting Tamanivalu in at centre. If someone goes down you have Havili who has covered (although not successfully) the midfield before.

Teams added to the OP.

I think Robertson has done a good job rotating his squad as much as he has, given how horrific his injury toll has been.

Match day bump mofos.

Obviously Pocock being injured is not an ideal outcome for the Brumbies. But the Crusaders are still missing Kieran Read, so that balances itself out. Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class, so the Crusaders cannot afford to be complacent at the breakdown.

I can see the logic of keeping Samu on the bench. They already have some ball running impact in the starting XV in Jordan Taufua, and Bedwell-Curtis serves no purpose as a replacement player - he has the impact of a limp penis. By using Samu off the bench Scott Robertson is able to inject some energy and dynamism into the game in the 2nd half.

Regardless of the result the most important outcome for me is for Ryan Crotty to walk off the field uninjured. If he isn't fit at the end of the season the Crusaders have no chance of winning any silverware.

Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class

As in, would make it into the World XV? I thought Richie had retired

My mate has flown over for the game - I hope Canberra is looking it's best for him.

Enzedder wrote:

Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class

As in, would make it into the World XV? I thought Richie had retired

My mate has flown over for the game - I hope Canberra is looking it's best for him.

I really like Canberra. It's an awesome city and I could easily live there. As I've gotten older I appreciate smaller cities that are quiet, clean and safe.

Enzedder wrote:

Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class

As in, would make it into the World XV? I thought Richie had retired

My mate has flown over for the game - I hope Canberra is looking it's best for him.

The back row stocks for the Brumbies are their real strength to be fair. Their replacement will be the equal of Bedwell-Curtis at the very least.

Ali's Choice wrote:

Enzedder wrote:

Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class

As in, would make it into the World XV? I thought Richie had retired

My mate has flown over for the game - I hope Canberra is looking it's best for him.

I really like Canberra. It's an awesome city and I could easily live there. As I've gotten older I appreciate smaller cities that are quiet, clean and safe.

Yep, that tends to happen, Christchurch is looking more and more appealing as I approach my mid 20's.

WoodlandsRFC wrote:Yep, that tends to happen, Christchurch is looking more and more appealing as I approach my mid 20's.

You want clean and safe in your mid 20's? Dude...

In my mid 20's I was eating shit out of street gutters and using used smack syringes as cutlery. I'm in my late 30's now and safe and clean is very appealing.

guy smiley wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

WoodlandsRFC wrote:Yep, that tends to happen, Christchurch is looking more and more appealing as I approach my mid 20's.

You want clean and safe in your mid 20's? Dude...

In my mid 20's I was eating shit out of street gutters and using used smack syringes as cutlery. I'm in my late 30's now and safe and clean is very appealing.

You cnuts know nothing.

TBF I turned 39 the other day. The big Four Zero is approaching and I'm actually looking forward to it. I just wish I knew what I do now back in my early 20's.

WoodlandsRFC wrote:

Enzedder wrote:

Whomever the Brumbies have brought in to replace Pocock will be world class

As in, would make it into the World XV? I thought Richie had retired

My mate has flown over for the game - I hope Canberra is looking it's best for him.

The back row stocks for the Brumbies are their real strength to be fair. Their replacement will be the equal of Bedwell-Curtis at the very least.

I agree. In fact for the rest of today I'll be referring to the Brumbies' new openside flanker, Tom Cusack, as White Bedwell-Curtis.

guy smiley wrote:Personally, I hope the 'Saders dry hump these arseclowns like a 15 man caterpillar dance...

but saying that would be rude. So just pretend I didn't.

I'd love to see the Crusaders turn the Brumbies into a 23 man human caterpillar. It would be a fitting metaphor for the Australian conference.

Just did a bit of research on Tom Cusack, the Brumbies backup 7.

He's a completely different player to Pocock. He's tall (191cm) and somewhat lean (only 101 kg, to put that in perspective he's the same height as Luke Whitelock but 15kg lighter). He's a former 7s player and a noted ball runner. And apparently he has dual Aussie & Italian citizenship.

I'm hoping to get home in time for this. But my flight is slightly delayed so not sure that will happen.

Bit too easy

Typical I join the bandwagon and this happens

Stream?

Brumbieman wrote:Stream?

http://www.vipbox.st/rugby/551521/2/bru ... nline.html

I liked McArdle's preamble - "35 consecutive losses to NZ sides, but who's counting?"
People who count, Nick...

Oooh I think that's a try