Planet Rugby Forum

WHERE: Christchurch, NZ

VENUE: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

WHEN: Saturday 24th February

KICK OFF: 7.45pm - local time

REFEREE: TBA

TEAMS:

Crusaders - TBA

Chiefs - TBA

Really looking forward to seeing how the Chiefs fare in the post-Cruden, post-Rennie & post-TKB era.

The Crusaders will have to transition from being the hunters to the hunted. They had lots of close, lucky wins last year - will be hard to replicate that again in 2018.

Will be good to see the best player in the world back in action.

Andalu wrote:Will be good to see the best player in the world back in action.

Kieran Read isn't back until April.

Ali's Choice wrote:

Andalu wrote:Will be good to see the best player in the world back in action.

Kieran Read isn't back until April.

It isn't 2013.

is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Ali's Choice wrote:Really looking forward to seeing how the Chiefs fare in the post-Cruden, post-Rennie & post-TKB era.

The Crusaders will have to transition from being the hunters to the hunted. They had lots of close, lucky wins last year - will be hard to replicate that again in 2018.

Chiefs without Cruden, TKB and Rennie won't be the same.
It'll be interesting to see if they retain the same helter-skelter type play (still plenty of talent who can enjoy that), or if they're going to play a more structured game.

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Turbogoat wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:Really looking forward to seeing how the Chiefs fare in the post-Cruden, post-Rennie & post-TKB era.

The Crusaders will have to transition from being the hunters to the hunted. They had lots of close, lucky wins last year - will be hard to replicate that again in 2018.

Chiefs without Cruden, TKB and Rennie won't be the same.
It'll be interesting to see if they retain the same helter-skelter type play (still plenty of talent who can enjoy that), or if they're going to play a more structured game.

Their 10 is going to be Damien McKenzie. Helter-skelter will be their mantra.

James Lowe is going to be a big loss.

Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

I reckon Alaimalo will be a starter.

I would have thought bench as he can cover from #12 outwards

Perhaps, but I think he's too good not to start.

Ali's Choice wrote:

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Cheers - i will make sure I catch the game next week then.

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

not now that you have named them

Ali's Choice wrote:

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Yup, the team for the practice match vs Highlanders looks pretty strong given the injury situation. Could be a few tweaks (Bridge for Ennor & maybe Romano for Barrett) but otherwise I expect we'll basically see this XV next week.

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris King, Ben Funnell, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Jone Macilai, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge.

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

Very good backs. Goes to show the benefit of players going to NH and allowing new players to come in.

mrbrownstone wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Yup, the team for the practice match vs Highlanders looks pretty strong given the injury situation. Could be a few tweaks (Bridge for Ennor & maybe Romano for Barrett) but otherwise I expect we'll basically see this XV next week.

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris King, Ben Funnell, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Jone Macilai, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge.

Can you tell me anything about this bloke?

Ali's Choice wrote:

mrbrownstone wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Yup, the team for the practice match vs Highlanders looks pretty strong given the injury situation. Could be a few tweaks (Bridge for Ennor & maybe Romano for Barrett) but otherwise I expect we'll basically see this XV next week.

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris King, Ben Funnell, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Jone Macilai, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge.

Can you tell me anything about this bloke?

He was a member of last years U20s side & started at loosehead in the semi and final. Can't remember much about him beyond that, and don't recall him showing up in the Mitre 10 Cup last year. Anyone else have a better memory?

I guess he'll probably see some game time with Moody out til April and Perry still a few weeks away.

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

Wasn't DM down to start at 10 this year? To give him plenty of chances to prove he is better than that flash harry from the capital.

now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

Ogre wrote:now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

They have learnt in recent times to get their slow start in extra early. It will be all systems go when it matters.

JB1981 wrote:

Ogre wrote:now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

They have learnt in recent times to get their slow start in extra early. It will be all systems go when it matters.

curse you and your historical accuracy. thought I was on to a nice little bit of cantab trolling there

Kiwias wrote:

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

Wasn't DM down to start at 10 this year? To give him plenty of chances to prove he is better than that flash harry from the capital.

I'd prefer to see DM at 10, he deserves a few chances and it's not as if there are any other standout options. Of course that is an AB-centric opinion, we'll see what the coaches think soon.

Kiwias wrote:

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

Wasn't DM down to start at 10 this year? To give him plenty of chances to prove he is better than that flash harry from the capital.

I think he would be more worried about keeping his Utility Back spot now that Ben Smith, Dagg and J Barrett are back this yeah

Cooper will do the opposite to what the Cartel want.

I have no idea what he is going to do with our style of play but I have opted for the better kicker at 10; such is my confidence that he will fudge it up

guy smiley wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

mrbrownstone wrote:

Ali's Choice wrote:

Shrekles wrote:is this a real match or just another pointless pre-season kick about?

Real match. Our last pre-season game is this weekend in Gore against the Highlanders.

Even though we will be missing Read, Franks, Moody and Dagg, we should field a decent team against the Chiefs in rd 1.

Yup, the team for the practice match vs Highlanders looks pretty strong given the injury situation. Could be a few tweaks (Bridge for Ennor & maybe Romano for Barrett) but otherwise I expect we'll basically see this XV next week.

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris King, Ben Funnell, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Jone Macilai, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge.

Can you tell me anything about this bloke?

With a name like that I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest he's an ex Swiss immigrant with a penchant for reciting Old Testament passages at full volume... but I may be wrong.

Odds are his teammates tagged him from day one as "Loudmouth".

Ogre wrote:

JB1981 wrote:

Ogre wrote:now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

They have learnt in recent times to get their slow start in extra early. It will be all systems go when it matters.

curse you and your historical accuracy. thought I was on to a nice little bit of cantab trolling there

Our traditional road to the title is to generally suck until every game becomes a do or die and then scrape our way through to victory. So we're actually quite pleased when we have a dodgy start.

Andalu wrote:

Kiwias wrote:

Enzedder wrote:Interesting backs

Brad Weber - Marty McKenzie - Anton Leinert-Brown - Charlie Ngatai - Tony Pulu - Shaun Stevenson - Damien McKenzie

That'll keep 'em guessing.

Wasn't DM down to start at 10 this year? To give him plenty of chances to prove he is better than that flash harry from the capital.

I'd prefer to see DM at 10, he deserves a few chances and it's not as if there are any other standout options. Of course that is an AB-centric opinion, we'll see what the coaches think soon.

There is one obvious option for the ABs

Oddly for the Chiefs i'm looking forward to seeing the forwards - i think they might beat the Saders up front - which would put the backs in a great position.

Actually fairly confident about this game.

KG

guy smiley wrote:

Ogre wrote:

JB1981 wrote:

Ogre wrote:now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

They have learnt in recent times to get their slow start in extra early. It will be all systems go when it matters.

curse you and your historical accuracy. thought I was on to a nice little bit of cantab trolling there

Yeah... yeah, you nailed that one bro.

Canes' supporter, aren't you?

slightly supporty of the canes.

but this could be a cracker of a battle up front depending on who is selected to start. AB's A front row v the B front row

guy smiley wrote:

Ogre wrote:

guy smiley wrote:
Canes' supporter, aren't you?

slightly supporty of the canes.

Your most active topic in here is a 'Canes thread.

Is it, i am shocked

I follow SR as much as SR fans follow NH rugby, not at all usually, but James Lowe name dropped a guy called Damian McKenzie recently comparing our brightest prospects.

Is he the next NZ fulcrum?

Zico wrote:I follow SR as much as SR fans follow NH rugby, not at all usually, but James Lowe name dropped a guy called Damian McKenzie recently comparing our brightest prospects.

Is he the next NZ fulcrum?

He's a back up fullback who played tests last year because our fullbacks were out and is going to play 10 for the Chiefs this year because Cruden has gone.

UncleFB wrote:

Zico wrote:I follow SR as much as SR fans follow NH rugby, not at all usually, but James Lowe name dropped a guy called Damian McKenzie recently comparing our brightest prospects.

Is he the next NZ fulcrum?

He's a back up fullback who played tests last year because our fullbacks were out and is going to play 10 for the Chiefs this year because Cruden has gone.

hes a midget with skillz. needs a couple of seasons at 1st 5 to prove himself but is a handy back up fullback for the bench and if he can cover 1st 5 then will be a decent AB for a while. Also looks weird when kicking goals ( TBF he kicks them from all over the park so I will forgive the weird bit)

Ogre wrote:

guy smiley wrote:

Ogre wrote:

JB1981 wrote:

Ogre wrote:now that the crusaders are 0 -2 for the season are the nerves kicking in for the cantab fans

They have learnt in recent times to get their slow start in extra early. It will be all systems go when it matters.

curse you and your historical accuracy. thought I was on to a nice little bit of cantab trolling there

Yeah... yeah, you nailed that one bro.

Canes' supporter, aren't you?

slightly supporty of the canes.

but this could be a cracker of a battle up front depending on who is selected to start. AB's A front row v the B front row

I would pick Saders by 30 if it wasn't first game of the season.

Ogre wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

Zico wrote:I follow SR as much as SR fans follow NH rugby, not at all usually, but James Lowe name dropped a guy called Damian McKenzie recently comparing our brightest prospects.

Is he the next NZ fulcrum?

He's a back up fullback who played tests last year because our fullbacks were out and is going to play 10 for the Chiefs this year because Cruden has gone.

hes a midget with skillz. needs a couple of seasons at 1st 5 to prove himself but is a handy back up fullback for the bench and if he can cover 1st 5 then will be a decent AB for a while. Also looks weird when kicking goals ( TBF he kicks them from all over the park so I will forgive the weird bit)

Cheers for the low down fellas, Kiwis standards will always be that bit higher.

..makes beating you once in 100 years all the better.

guy smiley wrote:
DMac has talent in spades... he deserves a go at 10 but I suspect he'll play too laterally to be a really effective playmaker.

I like the way Kiwis are confident that a 15 can transition to 10 and vice versa.

Our 10 slot is fully booked at the moment, it's more likely the successor comes through game time at 15.

Living and learning.

guy smiley wrote:

Zico wrote:

guy smiley wrote:
DMac has talent in spades... he deserves a go at 10 but I suspect he'll play too laterally to be a really effective playmaker.

I like the way Kiwis are confident that a 15 can transition to 10 and vice versa.

Our 10 slot is fully booked at the moment, it's more likely the successor comes through game time at 15.

Living and learning.

It's not just a Kiwi thing...

Steve Larkham started out at 15.

Who?

Zico wrote:

guy smiley wrote:

Zico wrote:

guy smiley wrote:
DMac has talent in spades... he deserves a go at 10 but I suspect he'll play too laterally to be a really effective playmaker.

I like the way Kiwis are confident that a 15 can transition to 10 and vice versa.

Our 10 slot is fully booked at the moment, it's more likely the successor comes through game time at 15.

Living and learning.

It's not just a Kiwi thing...

Steve Larkham started out at 15.

Who?

BUUUUUUURRRRRNNNN!