JPNZ wrote:
Quote:
Scott Robertson has dodged any further selection landmines ahead of his team's season opener in Auckland on Saturday night. The Crusaders' head coach watched his side get through their final pre-season fixture - a 43-38 win against the Highlanders in Southbridge last Friday night - unscathed. It means only four names will be scratched from consideration when Robertson and his assistants this week sit down to pick the 23 tasked with knocking over the Blues at Eden Park. Assistant coach Jason Ryan confirmed the franchise's All Blacks, minus Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Codie Taylor, were available for the match after sitting out their two pre-season games. Outside back Israel Dagg's (knee) status for the season remains murky.
Despite being barred by New Zealand Rugby from picking Taylor until week three, and Read and Whitelock until (week five) while they take extended breaks, Thursday's team sheet will be sparkling with All Blacks. Including uncapped pair Bryn Hall and Jordan Taufua, the Crusaders can still call upon 15 players who have spent time in the All Blacks. "We've got competition. To be honest with you, coming into my third year, I think the competition for places is as strong as it has ever been, and that's great because that's when players play their best rugby," forwards coach Ryan said.
"How we manage that, and how we keep everyone in that competitive environment, is crucial. Especially in the forward pack, the competition is red hot, and that's great." Ryan noted competition in the second row was particularly heated, even with captain Whitelock not set to front until the Crusaders play the Highlanders in Dunedin on March 16. It's a safe bet All Black Scott Barrett starts on Saturday, while fellow locks Luke Romano, Quinten Strange and Mitch Dunshea scrap for the two other spots in the 23. "I think lock is really red hot, we've got a good number of locks, anyone can start in Super Rugby, and anyone can finish," Ryan said. "You've got someone like Mitch Dunshea, who is champing at the bit, too, he's been sitting in the waiting room for a while. He's another young lock who is going to come on."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... inst-bluesThe reality is that aside form Sam Whitelock, our best performers over the past two title winning years have not been established All Blacks. These players have tended to be injured, rested or be down on form.
Our best performers in the 2017 and 2018 seasons were our 2nd tier and fringe All Black players. Players such as Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Mitch Drummond, Matt Todd, Seta Tamanivalu, George Bridge, David Havili, Mana Mata'ele, Jack Goodhue, Pete Samu, Whetu Dougalas, Andrew Makalio, Mitch Hunt and Alala'alatoa have been the players who have carried this team to back to back titles. More experienced and established All Blacks such as Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg and Joe Moody have been very quiet during this period of success.
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That Mt Manaia I mentioned is out at the heads, gnarly little climb 
